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The Outback really is just a few hours away!

Jen Adams | October 18, 2013 | 12:54 pm | Comment

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There’s excitement in the air as Clint, Charli, our cameraman Russell and I officially kick of filming for Series 6 of Places We Go!

We’re 33,000 feet above sea level and outside my window is quite literally the red centre of Australia. It’s more of a burnt orange actually. It’s so vibrant and vast, I challenge even the most discerning traveller not to be mesmerised.

Since I first visited the Northern Territory a few years ago, it’s been one of those rare places that calls me back. And there’s always somewhere new to discover. This time, it’s all about Alice Springs, or Alice, as this desert city of 25,000 people is affectionately known.

It’s hard to believe when you consider how big Australia is, that Alice is just a few hours flight from any capital city. One minute we’re navigating the busy airport traffic on Melbourne’s Tullamarine Freeway and the next minute, we’re here. Smack bang in the middle of the Outback, where the desert heat hits us in the face as soon as we land.

IMG_9526As Alice Springs is the Aboriginal art capital of Australia, its town centre is lined with art galleries overflowing with intricate paintings of stories handed down for thousands of years. We’re surrounded by it, from the rock art just ten minutes from town, to sitting chatting with the locals under the shade of a gum tree as they’re painting their stories onto canvas.

The real surprise for me is Alice’s emerging café culture. “Page 27” is a perfect example. It rivals any café in the world with its incredible coffee, food and amazing vibe when you walk in the door. Art, music, eclectic furniture, even a poetry corner with much loved books for us to borrow. The staff, a mixture of both locals and travellers from all over the world are part of the thriving expat community that call this place home.

I would have thought Alice to be flat, being in the middle of the desert. But that couldn’t be further from the truth. The MacDonnell Ranges are the constant backdrop from any angle including the Big4 MacDonnell Range Holiday Park, like an oasis in the desert. It has three swimming pools, giant jumping pillows, a telescope to star gaze and even the tradition of pancakes made by the owner Brendan every Sunday. Yes, Charli was in heaven!

IMG_9131Our next few days were simply jaw dropping. We kicked off with a hot air balloon ride, giving us a magnificent lay of the land, followed by champagne and a warm welcome from our pilot Charlie.

In the air-conditioned comfort of our Subaru Outback, we cruised the gaps and gorges in the surrounding areas, feeling a million miles from civilisation. Treated to the company of Gary, one of the most passionate park rangers you could wish to meet, our journey started at Simpson’s Gap, a 10 minute drive from Alice, to a picnic lunch and a much needed swim just an hour down the road at Ellery Creek Big Hole.

By late afternoon, we’re back in the car heading along the Red Centre Way with the sun lighting up the sandstone of the West MacDonnell Ranges. If you’re looking for an entrance, I can’t imagine finding any grander than the towering sandstone wall that dwarfs Glen Helen Resort. 132km from Alice Springs, it’s a popular overnight stay for traveller’s en route to Uluru.

Once an old cattle station, we enter the historic homestead perfectly placed on the Finke River. With the last of the afternoon light, we sit down with fellow travellers for a beer, before enjoying a magnificent dinner of barramundi in the restaurant.

There’s just so much to see! But we only have a few days so decide to get off road a little and head 110km east of Alice to check out the historic gold rush town of Arltunga – which was officially Central Australia’s first town, when Alice Springs consisted of just the Overland Telegraph Station.

IMG_9493Today it’s a ghost town scattered across 5000 hectares and it’s been preserved with such passion that standing in front of the old post office we could still feel the spirit of those fortune seekers who had to travel 600 kilometres in this harsh environment to be here.

Our last day was one of our most memorable for me. We headed just a few minutes from Alice to two small gaps in the Heavitree Range. Known as Emily and Jessie Gaps, they’re important spiritual sites to the Eastern Arrente Aboriginal people and contain paintings on the rocks.

No matter how far I travel out here, how vast, spectacular or indeed how harsh – there is comfort in sharing this with our daughter, knowing these stories go back tens of thousands of years, and will in fact still be here long after we’re gone.

Once again, it’s too soon to leave…see you soon Alice!

Jen PWG x

Find out more about the places we visited on Do the NT!

About Jen Adams

Places We Go is Jen's dream come true. As the founder, she simply wanted to 'share the world with the world'. With the tag line “It’s not just the places we go, but the people we meet that capture our heart” Jen knows that it's always the locals that bring our travels alive.

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I was lucky enough explore regional Victoria earli I was lucky enough explore regional Victoria earlier in the year (between lockdowns!), and tour the Goldfields with @big4holidayparks – Sure, I got my much-needed fix of the outdoors and was able to feed my insatiable curiosity as I explored the regions utterly fascinating history & culture, but it was sitting up at the old bar of family run Munari wines, just outside of Heathcote that got me.
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 Chatting to the chief winemaker Adrian Munari, and his daughter India (over a lovely red, of course) I heard all about the historic sheep station that was established in 1871, and life on the property today. (I wonder how the farmers endured the pandemic in 1919?)  
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Here’s to a happy summer holiday for us all, of enjoying those ‘moments’, wherever we are. 
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 I based myself at the @BIG4BendigoAscotHolidayPark 
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 See link in bio if want to plan your own getaway 😍
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#holidayhearthisyear #ExploreBIG4 #BIG4HolidayParks #VisitVictoria @visitmelbourne
WHO WANTS TO **WIN** A LUXURIOUS 2-NIGHT GETAWAY? WHO WANTS TO **WIN** A LUXURIOUS 2-NIGHT GETAWAY?
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How would you (and a friend!) like to escape to NSW’s New England Tablelands on a 2-night LUXURIOUS getaway, experiencing the best of Armidale’s premium accom, stunning food, wine & beer, an immersion in the local arts AND a World-Heritage Listed backyard to cap it off? 
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Your weekend will include: 
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- 2 night premium suite package at the historic Tattersalls Hotel (including food & drink from their award-winning restaurant & breakfast included) 
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- A special "Private Directors Tour" at the New England Regional Art Museum of HINTON: Treasures of Australian Art, plus some goodies to take home! 
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- Grabbing a beer at Great Hops Brewing Company PLUS some special gifts delivered to your home
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- A special Hema Australian Atlas & Guide plus a NSW State Map 
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Take it from me, this is worth entering, and if you do in fact WIN, set your alarm and get up for sunrise in the New England National Park, followed by a trip to Wollomombi Falls (the second highest falls in the county!) - it was sincerely exceptional.
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Oh and say hello to John at the Tattersalls Hotel, Rachael from the Art Gallery, and Sam from Great Hops Brewery. 
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 **TAG A FRIEND YOU'D  LOVE TO TAKE, and increase your chances of winning by both entering.. I know I would 😉❤
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 **LINK IN BIO **
Good luck, 
Jen xx
WE HAVE LIFT OFF!!! ON TV TODAY 😎🕺 . Would WE HAVE LIFT OFF!!! ON TV TODAY 😎🕺
 .
Would love you to join me as we celebrate the locals of #armidale on TV today
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Tune in (or set your record buttons) @ 1.30pm, ON TEN **TODAY**
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A special thanks to all those that not only shared their magnificent backyard with us, but who opened their hearts and let our TV cameras in.
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Armidale, you can no longer use the term “hidden treasure” 😉
 . 
Ps did I say “today” enough times? 😆🤪🙏 Jen xx
ARMIDALE IN THE SPOTLIGHT Ready for another cele ARMIDALE IN THE SPOTLIGHT
 
Ready for another celebration of a brilliant person and travel experience for us all?
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Meet James Rainger from @fleetadventures 
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He not only spends his life taking us travellers on scenic chopper tours over his World-Heritage Listed backyard of the #newengland region – he’s one of the many brilliant pilots who you’ll find hovering above the blazing heat helping fight our Australian Bushfires.
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When I shared my nerves about flying, he settled me with in seconds. Super grounded, in safe hands kind-a-feeling, with the biggest sparkle in his eye.
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“To be part of the firefighting team is being in the #armidale  community - we all live here, our kids go to school here, so we love it. Armidale is a community where we all band together, we’re very passionate about our backyard, and we hope it shows.. and we certainly hope people come and see what it’s like. We’ve got a unique view of part of the world that not many people get to see. And there are not hordes of people here, so it’s very personal, we like to bring people into our world and our life – and share it – thank you for taking the time to come and visit us… “
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As for the flight? Put it on your @theaustralianbucketlist
 .
Jen xx

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