Alice Springs Things to Do Tips by pchamlis

For many, many years, we've wanted to try hot air ballooning. Each time we got close to actually doing it, something would always go awry. Back in 2003, we were scuttled in Namibia by high winds.

Australia was the magic point for us. We finally had the opportunity to soar with the winds, and it was a blast! There's nothing like hot air ballooning. Gentle peace and intense excitement at the same time. BTW, see my warning tip about "the landing position for ballooners". : )

First of all, I assumed that it would be very, very windy. NOT TRUE. As you are sailing along in the wind, you don't notice any wind yourself. It's so very peaceful.

In Alice Springs, there are several operators who do hot air ballooning. And, there are many different packages. We did a champagne breakfast flight with Outback Ballooning. It consisted of a sunrise balloon flight, lasting approximately 45 minutes, and a wonderfully-prepared breakfast out in the bush, which featured champagne, fresh fruit, eggs, home baked breads, coffee, tea, juice and all sort of other good things. All in all, a most civilized way to start the day.

Also, you'll have the opportunity to "help" get the balloon ready for flight before dawn. If you go in winter, expect sub-freezing temperatures. And after the flight comes the hard part.....getting the darned balloon back into its little bag. It's kind of like overfilling a kitchen garbage bag on a much larger scale.

So, I'll end this tip before I break into a rendition of "Up, Up and Away".... If you've ever wanted to hot air balloon, Alice Springs will offer you the opportunity. Do it. DO IT. ; )

A note...we traveled with Outback Ballooning. But, we launched with and spent time talking to people who worked for Spinflex Ballooning, another outfit. They were very very nice and professional as well. So, I'd say that dealing with Spinflex would be just as rewarding, should you need to look to a provider other than Outback.

The cost?? Our breakfast tour was A$290 per person.

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Phone: 08/ 8952 8723
Address: THEY will pick YOU up at your hotel !
Directions: IF you travel with Outback, say hello to Pilot Frans and his somewhat-abused assistant Louise. : )
Website: www.outbackballooning.com.au
Other Contact: sales@outbackballooning.com

A little "humping".... I wonder how many people I've googled into this site with that line. Sorry folks, it's not a porno story.... we're talking camels.

Australia is actually home to one of the largest populations of wild camels in the world. Introduced into the country in the late 19th century, camels are perfectly suited for life in the outback. In fact, Australia exports camels TO the mideast. I wonder if buying an Aussie camel in Pakistan is anything like buying a Toyota in America. Hmmmmm.

Anyway, there are numerous operators who offer the experience of riding camels in and around Alice Springs. We hooked up with Frontier Camel Tours, an outfit that serves both Alice Springs and the Ayers Rock/Uluru area. And, they were an excellent choice.

You'll generally have the choice of having a short or longer ride, and perhaps combining said ride with breakfast or dinner. There are overnight camping caravans as well. We chose to do an evening ride followed by a "gourmet dinner". And, as it turns out the dinner was excellent. (See some of my tips on recipes and food)

The camel ride was a hoot. Camel riding isn't the smoothest operation known to man. Getting on can be an adventure, especially if you have a camel named Longridge BECAUSE he gets up and down so fast. He just about launched me over the moon. Our cameleer was a fellow named Dennis, and he was another smiling, friendly Aussie whose path we crossed. Infectious smile, complete with a shiny gold tooth, and a million funny stories. Yep, this was a guy you'd figure as Outback material.

OK, like I say, there are many opportunities to do camel stuff in Alice Springs. I cannot recommend Frontier Camels enough. As a side note, they clearly love and care for their camels well, which always makes us happy.

Say hello to Dennis, his helper Sue, and the master dinner chef Dieter if you visit Frontier Camel Tours.

For more information, you can email them Frontier directly at info@cameltours.com. The cost? Our dinner ride and tour was A$105 per person.

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Phone: 08 / 8953 0444 (Alice Springs)
Address: THEY will pick YOU up at your hotel.
Directions: Again, they will pick you up. But if you must know, the ranch in Alice is located 4 kms outside of town along the Ross Highway.
Website: www.cameltours.com.au
Other Contact: 08 / 8956 2444 (at Uluru)

With apologies to the late John Lennon......

"Imagine there's a river,
and the water's deep,
Imagine there are boats too
It isn't hard to do..."

OK, it is pretty hard, isn't it? The Todd "River", which ostensibly flows through Alice Springs, only actually runs about three days a year. Other than that, it's a dry river bed. So, the fun-loving folks in Alice Springs have scheduled an annual regatta to make light of the dry climate of the area.

The boat race occurs in late September, and the "boats" are made of basically anything. Old trucks, rolling beds, lawn mowers, whatever.... The only rule regarding the boats is that they have to "remotely look like a boat". The townsfolk get all dressed up, with many of the men wearing frilly dresses and such, and then parade around the dry Todd River bed with their boats, firing water cannons at each other. My professional opinion, being a former healthcare worker, is that a great amount of alcohol is involved in this process. : )

Anyway, if you're in Alice in late September, head out to the old yacht club and have yourself a beer...or maybe a dozen. This would have to be a funny, funny sight.

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Phone: 08/8952 3040
Address: The Todd River bed in Alice Springs, NT
Directions: For more information, see the contact URL and phone number below....
Website: www.henleyontodd.com.au

Todd Street is basically the Alice Springs "pedestrian shopping zone". Chocker-block full of souvenir shops, travel and tour booking agencies, eateries, internet cafes and just about any other travel-related sale item, Todd Street is the place to go to get whatever you need to "do" the tourist thing in Alice Springs and in the Northern Territories.

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Address: Todd Street, downtown Alice Springs
Directions: Right downtown, get on a bus that says "Todd Street Mall", or just walk into town, mate.