misha2

Maybe I'm just tired and grouchy. But, I just got a suggested itinerary for Alice Springs (part of a larger trip) and am really having regrets about going there. Oh my! The Emu Walk apartments suggested by our agent seem awful. Please help!!!

AlanJG

No nothing of the apartments but cannot reply to your lmain request re the Alice without know your interests.

Susan7

Why Alice Springs? There's a number of very interesting things to see and do in and around Alice Springs.

The Desert Park is the best opportunity to see the nocturnal marsupials, it also has different arid environments so that you can train your eyes to view the subtle differences of vegetation.

Araluen Cultural Centre has the best collection of works by Albert Namatjira in the country--an indigenous artist working with watercolour

http://www.nt.gov.au/nreta/arts/ascp/araluen/

There's also the Olive Pink Botanical Garden, read the book on her by Julie Marcus. Here's her biography:

http://adbonline.anu.edu.au/biogs/A160004b.htm

Then there is Standley Chasm, jsut outside Alice, there's a big population of black footed wallabies there:
http://www.standleychasm.com.au/

Papunya Tula is one of the early Aboriginal art co-ops and still one of the best places to buy indigenous art.http://www.papunyatula.com.au/

Lots more beside this, it's not a place to regret visiting, it's a place to regret that you missed.

Bokhara2

Nothing (or very little) will have changed about Alice Springs since you decided to include it As Susan7 says, it's a unique opportunity of experiencing some of "The Outback" that so many visitors want to see.

If it's the Emu Walk apartments putting you off; change accommodation. Don't recall when you're coming, but www.wotif.com.au has some good deals for Alice Springs now & for the next month.

misha2

Okay, now I've had a bit to eat and feel more optimistic

Below is what the agent has offered.

Day one does not sound nearly as wonderful as what Susan7 has outlined. I was mistaken. The Crowne Plaza turned me off Alice Springs. The Emu Walk makes me shudder in regards to Ayers Rock. Thanks Bokhara for the insertion of much-needed perspective.

Alan, I like the stuff described for day two. And the things Susan has offered. Where would you stay? I fee like I can't use wotif because the agent has already put in work.

Day One --A22 - HIGHLIGHTS OF ALICE SPRINGS

You will be collected by Tailormade Tours from
your hotel (This tour is operated by Tailormade on
behalf of APT). Visit 'The Alice's' main
attractions including the Royal Flying Doctor
Service base, Panorama Guth, the School of the Air
and the historic Telegraph Station. Enjoy
panoramic views of the township and the West
MacDonnell Ranges from Anzac Hill, finishing a
truly informative tour. Entrance fees included.
Return to your hotel following the tour.

Day 2
WESTERN MACDONNELL RANGES AND DESERT PARK
INCLUDES: TOURING, MORNING TEA & LUNCH.
This tour is operated by Tailormade Tours on
behalf of APT Touring. Meet your driver outside
the hotel lobby. Follow the Western MacDonnell
Ranges heading west and stop at Flynn's Grave -
founder of the Royal Flying Doctor's Service.
Explore the dramatic feature of Simpson's Gap
before arriving at Angkerle (Standley Chasm). Walk
through this colourful five-metre break in the
range, with it's fiery red walls towering on
either side of you is a truly unforgettable
experience. A picnic lunch and traditional Aussie
billy tea is served at Angkerle. Continue to
Alice Springs Desert Park where entry is included
Explore the landscapes, animals and plants of the
region. Pick-up and transfer to your hotel at
approximately 4.30pm.

Thoughts? Suggestions?

Bokhara2

You might want to double check the Panorama Guth. Far as I know, it was burnt down a few years ago.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/australia...0/s1493879.htm

Personally, I wouldn't bother with a packaged tour in Alice Springs township; you can use the hop on/hop off bus and/or drive yourselves very easily.

AlanJG

Take Bokhara2's advice and drive yourselves. that way you can pick out what you want a stay as long as your party chooses.

Bgale

As someone from the very populated East coast of the U.S., I thought the School of the Air and the Flying Doctor Service were both fascinating. Visiting both helped me better understand the vastness of the Outback and I could have spent more time at both (it was our last day so had limited time). I agree with Bokhara2 in that the hop on/off bus in town works great and lets you go at your own pace. I really enjoyed Alice and hope you will keep it on your schedule.

dkw

There are lots of interesing sites/things to do in Alice Springs, many of which are mentioned above.

We particularly enjoyed Quad Biking on one of the nearby cattle stations. Not difficult....but very dusty!! It gave us a real perspective as to just how huge and remote these cattle stations are.

I think this is the tour we used (it was quite a few years ago)

http://www.redballoondays.com.au/experience/QBA204

katrinab

Our Alice Springs stop was our favorite part of our Australia trip hands down. Ayer's Rock was incredible, and we did a tour where we slept in swag out in the outback instead of in a hotel. Perhaps not as comfortable/convenient, but the experience was incredible and I wouldn't exchange it. More info and pics at http://patrinadoestheglobe.blogspot....australia.html

misha2

Wow! Now I'm getting excited. Quad biking sounds great, so does the Outback camping trip. The way our flights are set up we have two nights in Alice Springs and then we fly and have two in Ayers Rock. We can't change the flights. (Pretty much followed the initial itinerary you suggested Bokhara) So, what tours would you do and what other things sans tours would you do? We are a group of six people ages 12 to 72.

Thanks

marg

Hire a car and do your own thing. The roads are good and you really can't get lost.
There is a lot to see in and around Alice Springs. The east and west MacDonnell Ranges are well worth visiting. If you have to chose one or the other, go west as far as Glen Helen and stop at all the gorges - it's all well signposted. I think you can buy lunch at Glen Helen but it would be sensible to take some food and drink as this trip can take all day. The scenery is really magnificent and you will want to stop all along the way.
The Desert Park is excellent and if you are a visitor to our country, then you really should see the School of the Air and the Flying Doctor.
The old telegraph station is interesting and is walkable from town. Walk to the top of Anzac Hill for views over town. There is a museum dedicated to the pioneer women which was very interesting - I can't recall exactly where it is but your hotel will be able to tell you.

misha2

Great! Any suggestions on where to stay?

How much can one see if you take one of those quad bikes?

longhorn55

Why does the Emu Walk Apartments at Uluru make you shudder? We stayed there a few years ago and found it a good choice for our group of 5 (aged 9 - 68). We had two bedrooms, one with a queen bed and the other with 2 sets of bunk beds. There was a fully equipped kitchen, a dining room and sitting room. We had plenty of space to spread out and having the kitchen was a great cost-saver because we could prepare some of our meals there. (Nothing, including the restaurants, are cheap there.) We also had access to the pool at the hotel next door since there was not one for Emu Walk. The apartments weren't fancy, but they were clean and comfortable and are a good choice for families/groups.

misha2

Oh thank you, longhorn55. I was just concerned that they were not clean. i read some bad reviews on TA. I feel much better and will go ahead and book it.

Bokhara2

I think some TA contributors expect "Big City Brass & Glass" & "The Outback" (wherever they might think that is) in the same location. Ain't going to happen.

misha2

So true.

stpetereb

I was not very excited about Alice Springs before we visited there. It turned out to be a real highlight of our trip. I agree with Bgale it helped me understand just how vast the outback is and appreciate how difficult life is under those conditions.

misha2

I have booked the Quest in Alice Springs. Thanks for the great suggestions.

I'm still debating how to spend two days there? Would you spend one day on the hop on/off bus and the next at the McDonnell Ranges? There are some great reviews on a camel tour also. We are a party of six, so we're thinking of not renting a car -- we might need two. So, we would need a package tour of the ranges.

marg

What about hiring a mini-bus or a people mover for your stay in Alice Springs. So much nicer to do your own thing rather being organised by some one else's choices. For a full day out, you could drive to Glen Helen in the West McDonnell Ranges then wander back to Alice Springs, visiting the other gorges on the way, then spend your other day doing the local sights. With your own vehicle, you won't waste time seeing things you are not interested in, or waiting for everyone else to come back to the coach.