Central Australian wildlife ...

There was plenty of wildlife to see in Alice Springs, especially birds and lizards.  In the waterholes, there were many tiny fish swimming about, enjoying the benefits of the recent rainfalls.  I was thrilled to spot a herd of wild brumbies, but disappointed not to see any wild camels!

Lizards everywhere

Spot the black footed rock wallaby

Wild brumbies

Crested pigeon

Galahs

Sunrise in Alice Springs ...

On my last morning in Alice Springs, I convinced Mum and Tom to get up at 4.45 am to watch the sun rising over the desert.  By 5 am, we were on top of ANZAC Hill with a flask of tea and dozens of gigantic moths.  Over about an hour, we watched as the night sky transformed into daylight, going through an extraordinary range of colours.  It was quite spectacular and a wonderful way to begin the day.

An early morning climb and an evening BBQ ...

Mount Gillen

Day 2 in Alice Springs began nice and early, with a 5.30 am start.  We were on the walking track by 6 am, watching the sun come up as we trudged through the foothills and headed up Mount Gillen.  This particular track is a popular one, with many locals making a weekly walk up to the summit to admire the view across Alice Springs in one direction, and the far reaching desert in the other direction.  We were back down the mountain and in town by 10 am, where we spent the rest of the day resting at Mum's place and mooching about in the mall, trying to stay cool.

Mum on the track

The track up the mountain

That's where we were heading

Lush green desert

Spot Mum ... as she makes her way up the rock face

On the summit

The rock face (not the one we climbed)

Track along the top of the mountain

Looking down into the town of Alice Springs

In the evening, we met up with one of Mum's friends for a BBQ at Telegraph Station (where we walked on day 1).  Here, we enjoyed bubbles with our kangaroo steaks while watching the sun set over the desert land.

Telegraph Station (with the moon in the sky)

The girls sit around drinking ... 

... while the man cooks the BBQ

Sun setting over Telegraph Station

'Catfish' ...

Last night, I went to the first Australian preview for 'Catfish' at the Palace on Oxford Street.  After seeing the trailer twice, I was curious.  If you've seen the trailer, you'll know that you just have to see the movie, it's just so intriguing.  As was the actual movie.  'Catfish' is a documentary about the development of a relationship over facebook.  It's funny, sad and scary all at once ... and very, very well made.  Following the movie, the three filmmakers (who are also the stars of the movie) came into the cinema for a question and answer session, where they explored some of the controversies surrounding the movie.  I'm not going to give too much of the movie away, so if you get the chance, make sure you see 'Catfish'.

West Macdonnell Ranges ...

On day 2 in Alice Springs, we headed out on the road heading towards Uluru, following the Macdonnell Ranges.  Along the way, there were many places to stop to look, walk or swim. We mainly stuck to swimming in the very full and beautiful water holes since it was so hot.  It was a wonderful time to be seeing the desert ... an unusual amount of rain has meant that the water holes are full, the landscape is green rather than red, and there is wildlife everywhere.

Simpson's Gap

Simpson's Gap

Standley Chasm

Picnic at Ormiston Gorge

Preparing the lilo 

Ormiston Gorge

Ormiston Gorge

Beers at the Glen Helen 'Resort'

Lush Glen Helen Gorge

Ellery Creek Big Hole

Ellery Creek Big Hole

Swimming in the water hole

For those of you who are interested in where we actually visited, here is a map of the area.  

Alice Springs - Day 1 ...

The Todd River which runs through Alice Springs

Since being in Alice Springs, Mum has had many visitors, so by the time my brother (Tom) and I arrived on Thursday, she had the Alice Springs tour fine tuned.  We began with a tour of Mum's work place and lunch at a cafe in a local nursery. In the the afternoon, Tom and I wandered along the Todd River and the Todd Mall, whilst Mum finished up at work.

Todd River

In the evening, Mum took us on her 'signature' walk around some nearby bush walking tracks.  The turn-around point in the walk was at the original Alice Springs, which is actually just a small, unassuming water hole and not a spring at all.  We crossed the river and walked through the original Telegraph Station that was set up in the 1870s to provide means of communication with the rest of Australia and the world.

Tom and Mum on Mum's 'signature' bush walk

Following our walk, we had dinner at Mum's local restaurant, 'Flavours of India', which happens to be right next door to Mum's apartment (anyone fancy a permanent smell of curry?!)  We had an early night, because the next day was going to be a long one, fitting in all of Mum's favourite natural spots in the West Macdonnell Ranges.

The original 'Alice Springs' 

Mum outside her 'signature' restaurant - 'The Flavours of India'

Off to Alice Springs ...

My lovely mother bush walking in Alice Springs

Mum is nearing the end of her 'gap year' in Alice Springs and I thought that it was about time I went to visit her, so I'm heading off today for a few days in the centre of Australia.  Since I'm going walkabout, there will be no blogging until next week.  Happy weekend everyone!