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Amazing Trivia

The Northern Territory is 1,349,129 square kilometres in size.

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Australia's Outback Video's Print E-mail
YouTube Video courtesy Tourism NT.

Red Centre Way, Alice Springs to Uluru, Australia's Outback
When you picture Australia's Outback, it is generally images of the Northern Territory's Red Centre that come to mind --desert sands, sage-coloured Spinifex, endless blue skies and blissful isolation.

The Red Centre Way tourism drive is a brilliant pathway through the Outback, linking the Northern Territory's 'red-heart' landmarks. The drive forms a loop from Alice Springs, through the spectacular West MacDonnell Ranges to Watarrka National Park (Kings Canyon), on to Uluru and Kata Tjuta (The Olgas), and back to Alice via Rainbow Valley. Detours can also be made to include Hermannsburg and Palm Valley.

The journey takes in magnificent gorges, chasms, waterholes, canyons, mountain ranges and rock formations, dispelling the notion that the desert is merely sand dunes.

So take a look here and start planning your trip to The Alice.


Chris Day
There are very few people in the world who love their job as much as Chris Day. Stationed as a ranger in the Northern Territory for more than 26 years, he maintains the Larapinta Trail, a walking track through the West MacDonnell Ranges, near Alice Springs.

Winding and climbing 223 kilometres through the heart of the Central Australian desert, the trail is divided into 12 sections that can be tackled separately, or in one mammoth trek. With camping and swimming spots along the way to punctuate the water-coloured landscape, it is the perfect outback adventure for those looking to get their blood pumping.


Explore Alice Springs & Surrounds
She started her life as a dusty frontier town, but today, Alice Springs is modern, vibrant and eclectic. Australia's most famous outback town, Alice is also the world's Aboriginal art capital, evidenced by her many world-class galleries and art centres.

The growing number of cafes and restaurants are a culinary surprise and celebrate their unique location by incorporating bush ingredients into local menus.

But, while the town is moving ever-forward, she remains alive with history and the spirit of her resourceful and hardy pioneers lives on.

Alice has the additional good fortune to be located between the striking West and East MacDonnell Ranges, which provide a wealth of touring and sight-seeing options.

Take a look at what Alice Springs has to offer and start planning your visit. It's a place that is alive with history and culture and surrounded by surprising landscapes and unimaginable beauty.


Tommy Crow
Renowned Aboriginal artist and musician, Tommy Crow depends on Australia's Outback to get him back to nature and revive his spirit. To go out bush around Alice Springs is to find the real Australia, he says. Listen as he talks openly about his connection with the desert, and with the culture and heritage of his people, with which the landscape is forever intertwined. The desert is imprinted with spiritual significance for the local Arrernte Aboriginal people and the landscape comes alive through their stories, music, dance and paintings.


Henley on Todd
Become embroiled in the chaos and madness of this typically Australian event, when the dry, sandy bed of the Todd River becomes the race track for a motley crew of bottomless boats, propelled towards the finish line by the sheer might and will of their creators.

Held at Alice Springs in the Northern Territory, the locals go to extremes in their quest to out-do all others with their boats and costumes -- everything from pirate ships to old bathtubs will be part of the action.

Watch from the sidelines, or get into the spirit of the day by creating your own craft and join the contest. There are plenty of other events throughout the day to keep everyone entertained, and most importantly there is a crowd of people all intent on one thing -- having fun.

The event is held annually in August, but you can get a taste of the action here.


Steve Strike
Outback photographer, Steve Strike, lives in the heart of Australia, Alice Springs. He's made his life out of capturing the Red Centre's most isolated and colourful destinations on film. His subjects are charismatic Thorny Devils, hopping Black-footed Rock Wallabies, plunging chasms and rainbow-coloured cliff faces. This National Geographic video provides a window into his life, and the job he loves.


Camel Cup
If horse racing is the sport of kings, than camel racing must be the sport of their court jesters. While the breeders, owners and jockeys take their game very seriously, there is no denying that their trusty steeds add a decidedly comical touch to this racing event.

Renowned for being strong willed and highly unpredictable, it's nothing for a camel to sit down mid-race, or veer off the track completely if something more attractive than the finish line captures its attention. This can provide a little angst for handlers, but makes for fantastic viewing.

The Camel Cup, held every July in Alice Springs, attracts visitors from all over the world and with good reason -- it's a great day out.

There is a program of nine races, the kids can get involved with the 'hobby-camel' race and throughout the day there are rickshaw races, a Mr and Miss Camel Cup competition, belly dancers and of course, food stalls and a bar. See for yourself.


Alec Ross
It was here, four kilometres north of Alice Springs, that the Overland Telegraph Station changed the face of the Australian Outback forever. It forged the first European settlement in Central Australia (1872), with Darwin, the closest neighbour, almost 1500 kilometres away.

The Telegraph Line revolutionised the communications industry in Australia, by delivering messages from London in just 14 hours, which blitzed the usual two or three months via boat. The original buildings have been restored and are open for exploration today.

However, local identity Alec Ross has a different story to tell about the Telegraph Station. When it ceased operations in 1932, it became a home for Aboriginal children, including Alec.

He now works as a guide at the site. Here, he shares his story about growing up on the station and how his childhood shaped him.


 
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