7 minute read
Australian Walks: Alice Springs for gorges, water holes and red desert landscapes
Alice Springs - gorges, waterholes
and red desert landscapes If you have a spare morning or evening in Alice Springs in Australia’s Northern Territory, you should definitely make the time to take the short hike up Anzac Hill and take in the tranquil and breathtaking views across Alice Springs. Allow 40 minutes. Also known as “Untyeyetwelye”, it is located close to the centre of the town, and is a short 15 minute walk from the visitors centre to the lookout. Anzac Hill is a spectacular vantage point to view both the sunrise and sunset, with the backdrop of the MacDonnell Ranges in the distance. Plus while up there, you could
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Above: Over looking the town centre of Alice Sprice from Anzac Hill. Below left: On the Bradshaw Walk that starts at the Old Telegraph Station Reserve.
view the Anzac Hill War Memorial, dedicated to the fallen heroes who fought and died in World War One.
The Alice Springs Telegraph Station only four kilometers from the town centre is a must see, with its historic buildings and from here a number of walks start.
This Old Telegraph Station was built in 1871 as part of the 3,000km long Adelaide to Darwin Overland Telegraph Line, and is the best preserved of the 12 stations along the Overland Telegraph Line.
The Alice Springs Telegraph Station Historical Reserve marks the original site of the first European Settlement in Alice Springs. It was operated for 60 years before serving as a school and welfare home for Aboriginal children of mixed ancestry until 1963.
The station is easily accessible by car (just a 10 minute drive) through the Stuart Highway and the Herbert Heritage Drive.
You can also use the riverside path along the Todd River for a short walk or cycle on the sealed path.
You can also take the Riverside sealed path for a short walk or cycle from the town to the telegraph station (3.5km one way). You’ll may spot plenty of wildlife, including the wallaroos that live among the rocks.
The epic Larapinta Trail begins at the old Alice Springs Telegraph Station and is roughly divided into 12 sections. You can hike for a whole week, or choose to walk for just one day – whichever option you take, you will be spoiled with breathtaking views.
The Larapinta Trail is, voted by National Geographic as one of the top 20 trekking experiences on the planet.
The formations of the West MacDonnell Ranges and the vast skies Above: Three historic buildings at the OLd Telegraph Station. Reserve.
are humbling. There are plenty of swimming holes, great spots to take a dip and cool off under the desert sun.
Nearby is the original “Alice” spring, a semi-permanent waterhole in the Todd River, after which the Alice Springs town is named.
Alice Springs, the springboard to the Outback, has grown from a small settlement to a mature and colourful tourism centre. From short strolls to day treks, there are plenty of interesting trails to explore here, discovering steep gorges, untouched watering holes and striking desert landscapes. Right in town, the Olive Pink Botanic Gardens are a haven of greenery, as well as birds, butterflies and other local wildlife. Wander through the themed areas and the bush lands for a leisurely afternoon in nature.
A short drive from Alice Springs and a kilometre or so from the Desert Springs Park, you’ll find a trail leading to the peak of Mt Gillen. It begins at the Flynn Grave (John Flynn was an Outback pioneer in the medical field and instrumental in forming the Royal Flying Doctor Service) off Larapinta Drive.
At the top of the rocks you’ll be rewarded with 360 degree views of the town and surrounding mountain ranges and flats. Go early to beat the heat and catch the spectacular sight of sunrise over Alice Springs. With luck you may even see wallabies, desert birds and exotic flowers.
Gorges, waterholes and red desert landscapes on short walks and long treks are all in and around Alice Springs.
Above: The start of the Bradshaw Loop Walk.
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Popular Sunrise Hut revamped
Locally-loved Sunrise Hut and Sunrise Track in the Ruahine Forest Park are open once again following renovations and improvements, says the Department of Conservation (DOC).
This work follows an upgrade made to the hut’s interior last winter with Jobs for Nature funding, which created jobs for six people over May and June 2020.
DOC Manawatu Supervisor Shaun Ruddle says Sunrise Hut is the most popular hut in the park, with 1023 beds booked between October 2019 and April 2020 and 3344 visitor counts recorded by the track counter between January and December.
“It’s important for us to ensure these much-loved facilities are in great condition for the local community and others to enjoy for years to come. Like any of our visitor sites, the hut and track are subject to the demands of the weather and impacts of ongoing use.
“The main visitors are families, schools and first-time recreation users looking to challenge their skills or fitness. It’s a popular ‘day visit’ site, trail runners use it for training, and school groups for teaching recreation skills and Duke of Edinburgh training. Hunters also use the track to access more remote areas of the Ruahine Forest Park.”
The hut was painted by volunteers over four days in February, organised and funded by the Backcountry Trust and a local community group with support from DOC. The paint was provided by Dulux as part of their ongoing partnership with DOC.
Shaun Ruddle says the partnership with volunteer organisations like Backcountry Trust and the business partnership with Dulux are crucial to delivering projects like Sunrise Hut on public conservation land.
Backcountry Trust North Island Project Coordinator Megan Dimozantos says they are pleased to take care like this on public conservation land, and this work is often a special experience for their volunteers as well.
It’s an opportunity for people who enjoy the great outdoors to have a sense of caring for the places that provide them with recreation opportunities to make sure they are here for generations to come.
“Our volunteers Sally, Ed, Aaron, Helen and Tobias did an exceptional job of the prep work and the painting. We’re really appreciative of their efforts, and the feedback from the outdoors community has been really positive.” says Megan Dimozantos.
Work on Sunrise Track has reinstated eroded tracks, improved the surface and reduced the chance of standing water with measures like 16 new culverts and 369 meters of side drains. Plans are underway to repaint the roof.
“The hut is looking smart with its new paint, and the improvements last year include a new fireplace, a heat transfer system and refurbished interior painting. The track improvements will allow visitors to focus on the sights and sounds while accessing this great part of the country,” says Shaun Ruddle.
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