13/4/2015 - 17/4/2015 — 5 nights BIG4 MacDonnell Range ($44 p/n)

Decided to stay at the Big 4 in Alice, although there are four to choose from in the same area . G'day Mate looked good too. We were given a huge site with absolutely no one around us and it was great to have some green underfoot as opposed to red dirt.

Went and had a look around Alice in the morning and did some shopping and dropped into the Visitors Info Centre. Very friendly and helpful staff.

We checked out the The Alice Springs Telegraph Station which was really worth the visit. The heritage buildings are beautiful and we thoroughly enjoyed discovering the history of the station which ran for 60 years then later served as a school for Aboriginal children, known as The Bungalow. They had volunteers there for the week who you could ask to send a telegraph via morse code to Sydney who then send your telegraph on via post. Definitely worth a visit.

Took in the views from Anzac Hill then headed out to the East MacDonnell Ranges.

Dropped into Ross River where we bumped into Julie and Clyne, who's dog we looked after at Uluru . Then onto Trephina Gorge where we had our first Goanna sighting, stunning scenery out there. Finally put the car into 4wd and took the 4km horrific track (in our limited 4wd experience) into John Hayne Rockhole where Mark enjoyed a swim with a few locals.

Afternoon swim back at the pool then post dinner drinks with Andrew and Janine who we met at Uluru as it was their last night.

Unfortunately the weather wasn't great on our last day in Alice... around 21 degrees and light rain. We headed off to Glen Helen Gorge, Ormiston Gorge and Ellery's Creek Big Hole... was a shame we hadn't gone earlier in the week when the weather was in the 30's and could have enjoyed a swim.

On the way back we visited The Desert Park... Dingoes, Emus and Red Kangaroos all of which we had seen in the wild so was a bit disappointed seeing them behind fences. A huge variety of bird life over a few aviaries but by far the standout was the Nocturnal House... It was  amazing!

All the exhibits were miniature outback deserts with Bilby's, Tawny Frogmouths, Bats, Snakes, Lizards (including the gorgeous Thorny Lizard) and Spiders. We had an Aboriginal guide walk us through most of it explaining the varies species, etc.

Pre dinner drinks with Pat and Bryan from WA... we had met them the day prior and wanted to pick their brains about the West Coast. Three hours later and armed with three pages of notes we headed back to the van.

Things we learnt...
1. Complete strangers are willing to give up their time to give great advice.