Alice Springs

Dinner whilst we watch the sun set.. Ghan

 Day eight - Marla - Fuel stop
Road house
Fuel - $84.68

 The Old Gravy Pit
Population is 0
Free Camping - under the stars
452km

 The Old Gravy Pit - Stuart Hwy, Ghan
We went past a few free camping sites but they didn't have a good view of the sunset, This site wasn't a free camping site on Wikicamps. It was an old gravel pit that was just off the road. No one in sight... We just got set up and another family were pulling in. After dinner we headed down to share their campfire (after being invited) They were a lovely family from Canberra and they are heading to uluru.. followed by Western Australia on a three-month family trip with their three beautiful kids. 

Uluru....
Now some people are going to say that we are crazy! But we really didn't want to be on a time frame with this trip. If we love somewhere, we wanted to be able to stay. If we didn't like somewhere, we can pack up and keep going. So a few nights ago we had a discussion with the whole family, deciding we would pass on THE BIG ROCK and make a special trip next year when we have a week free with the kids and even G'ma and Poppy... Maybe fly to Alice Springs or Uluru and hire a car and get a cabin.
Day Nine - Erldunda - Fuel Stop (is the turnoff to Uluru)
Roadhouse
Fuel - $90.52
Coffee break - $32.00

 This truck stop had an Emu farm that the kids could feed by hand... really nice coffee!

Alice Springs
Population - 25,186
Big 4 Macdonnell Range Holiday Park - $86.40 per night (3 nights)
229km

 We get all settled and unpacked, the kids hit the pool... Dinner and then pancakes for dessert down near the office (they have these every night 😖) Big Mumma's going to be fat!!

Day Ten -
Reptile Park
We hit the Information centre to find out whats on offer... Man this place has so much to do (one tip - book ahead) We left with about four things we wanted to do, only the camel rides were available for the times that we are in town.

Today's adventures...
Dinosaur museum - Coin donation - this was great (maybe 30 minutes) kids loved it...

Reptile park - $65.00 family pass - fantastic - hands-on for the whole family. This was the pick of them all for the kids, they really enjoyed it. (1.5 hours)
Ellery Creek Water Hole

Ellery Creek Big Hole - Free swimming hole - Beautiful spot - about 1.5 hours drive from Alice Springs in the West MacDonnell Ranges. Pack a picnic and enjoy the 360-degree views. It's a small canyon and has really easy access for the kids, nice sandy banks (water was a little chilli though) 133km each way.

Day Eleven - Camel Rides here we come... These guys will pick you up, and drop you home again! I was a little bit worried that No.2 and No.3 were not going to like this... But we get there and our tour guide, Kat was so lovely. She answered all the kid's questions and made us feel right at home. So it comes time to mount these awkward Camels. Emmett was really good (Emmett goes really quiet when he's nervous) Marnie went solo and smashed it like she normally does. Then it was Matilda's go (she was with me) the poor little bugger was shaking like a leaf... we get on and if you've ever been on a camel before you know how hard it is to lean right back for it to stand. She lets out a little scream! and were up... Next thing that comes out of her mouth is (I love camels, can we get one) She blows my mind this kid. Payment isn't taken till the end of the ride (in case you freak out) EFT available $275.00 for the 5 of us. And Kat takes photos halfway through the ride with the Macdonnell Ranges in the background
Pyndan Camel Tracks 

Today, around the rides we spend the day washing sheets and blankets and doing a general tidy up (this made me feel better) Scones for afternoon tea.

Fuel - $113.00 before we eave today
Accommodation = $259.20
Fuel = $288.20
Food = $169.57
Travelled = 947km
Tours - $ 340

 (Food - 3 days, coffee, groceries and takeaway)
(Travelle - We did alot of driving around whilst in Alice Springs)

TB 💋
Location: Australia

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