Alice Springs to Darwin

We left Alice in the Territory on Saturday morning. We were really sad to say goodbye after making some really great friends. We hit the Stuart Highway for the 1500km dive and planned on making it to Darwin in a few days.

Our first stop was the devils marbles. We quickly passed through Tennent Creek and spent the night at Banka Banka Cattle Station. It was only $10 each for the night and it was a great campsite.

Devils Marbles

Devils Marbles

Banka Banka

The next morning we headed to Katherine stopping at Daly Waters and Mataraka along the way. We had some wild NT caught Baramundi at the Daly Waters pub which was great. Theres literally only the pub in Daly Waters so after lunch we got back on the road and went to Mataranka Hot Springs. There was loads of people there but it was nice to stop for a relax and soak in the hot waters. We stayed the night at Springvale homestead in Katherine. It was $10 each for the night which is cheap but it was a horrible place. So grubby we were glad to get back on the road the next morning. We did the 20 minute walk to the top of the gorge before leaving and getting some km's on the clock.

Daly Waters pub

Mataranka Hot Springs

Katherine Gorge

Edith Falls is beautiful!! I was a little scared getting in the water as there are loads of warnings for crocodiles and you cant go in after 7pm or before 7am as thats when they feed, but Chris told me it was safe and only freshwater crocodiles so we went for a swim. We then took the walk up to the next waterhole which was even better. It was great to have a soak after the walk up there.

Edith Falls

We took a turning off the Stuart Highway for 50kms towards Douglas Hot Springs campsite. It was really cheap and had just basic facilities but everything we needed. The hot springs here was so boiling its impossible to sit in it unless your in the bit which joins up with the cold river. I think this place is one of my favourites so far in Australia. I did think I saw a crocodile and jumped out the water but it was just a massive lizard.

Steam coming off the water

Lizard/ Croc ??

Sunset at Douglas Hot Springs

We made it to Darwin!! Woohoo!! Its extremely hot and humid but its nice. After the drive up we tried to find a campsite to spend the next few days. The only place that would take us was Hidden Valley Caravan Park, I nearly cried when they said it was $41 a night for a non powered site but it would have to do for the next few days. We headed to Stokes Wharf for a fisherman's basket and into town for a stroll. The next day we went to the lagoon and the deckchair cinema which was awesome.

Lagoon

Deckchair Cinema

Steph arrived on the 6th, the day Chris was leaving for Bali. I picked her up from the airport at 3am and we spent the day chilling by the pool at the campsite. After a sad goodbye to Chris at the airport, me and Steph went to Mindil sunset market. We had mexican food and got our hair braided before watching the sunset on the beach. Afterwards we went to the deckchair cinema which turned out to be a freebie night.

We spent today at the lagoon and in town and Mitchell Street for a few drinks before getting ready to head to Litchfield and Kakadu tomorrow!!

Chris and Steph by the pool

Hairwrap

Sunset at Mindil Beach

Alice Springs Reptile Centre

We had planned to visit the reptile centre the first week we got to Alice Springs and 5 months later we decided we should really make the effort to go before we leave in less than 2 weeks time. Its pretty cheap at $14 each and only a small place, basically a converted house but its well worth it. We had a look around at all the snakes, lizards and everything else that they had there including a saltwater crocodile and the deadliest snake in the world. You can't really go to the reptile centre and miss the presentation, the best bit is getting to hold the reptiles!

Toga in Alice

What a great week! For the first time in 5 months me and Chris have both had an evening off work together so we decided to go to Hanamans which was fully booked on Monday night but they managed to squeeze us in. Its probably the best place to go for a posh meal in Alice Springs although we headed back to Alice in the Territory for desert because nothing compares to those chocolate brownies!

Cocktail time

We made some homemade burgers and had a BBQ Tuesday night even though its still pretty cold of an evening its probably still warmer than a summer back in England :)

We decided to have a toga party on Saturday and make our costumes out of the sheets in the hotel laundry. Jess and Tam were leaving, it was my last week working at the hotel and a bunch of newbies were starting work so it was a good excuse for a party. After way too many shots, a lot of BBQ food, a million games of beer pong and a water fight it was time to call it a night! Amazing day!

Considering I had work at 6am on Sunday I was feeling pretty good and not too hungover at all. Me and Chris went to the casino for lunch and then everyone got together for movie night in the restaurant and ate all the left over food from the BBQ.

I worked my last shift on reception on Monday and was going to find something else for a few weeks but I've now decided to chill out and enjoy not having to work for a whole year!! After work we had a few drinks round by the pool and then headed into town to The Rock Bar for Dinner and farewell drinks for Tam.

Alice Springs Camel Cup

Saturday 14th July was the annual Lasseters Camel Cup at Blatherskite Park Showgrounds.

Although I spent most the day eating and drinking, the camel racing was better than expected. We had a great day and camels are a lot more unpredictable than a day at the horse races.

Camel Burger at the Camel Cup

Our favourite was obviously camel toe :)

Alice Springs

Me and Chris came to Alice Springs at the end of February to find work after we had to fork out a fortune to get our car fixed after we got in stuck on the beach in South Australia. Don't drive on the beach if you don't know what you're doing! Its 1500km from Adelaide to Alice Springs and we did it in 2 days to try and get work as soon as possible. We were both really lucky and got a job as a hotel receptionist, full time including free accommodation and meals on shift. We started at the beginning of March and plan on working 6 months until September to save some money for when we go to Asia.

We couldn't believe our luck when we got this room. Considering we had been living in a car travelling like normal backpackers we were over the moon when we got a nice place to stay for the next 6 months whilst we work and its included in the job! Bonus!

 

Pool and Spa

 Anzac Hill gives views over Alice Springs and is great to visit if you're in town for a day.

A perk of being a hotel receptionist is the freebies and discounts! We got to go on a hot air balloon ride and champagne breakfast after a few weeks on the job. It was an early start at 4am but that meant we were in the air for sunrise.



We spend most weekends going out with the guys at work. The usual places are the Casino, The Rock Bar, Bojangles and Montes. We have quite a few nights and weekends around the BBQ area by the pool at the hotel. We had a Mexican theme party for my birthday and had a great time drinking Corona, Tequila, wearing moustaches, pinata and eating lots of Mexican food. Most weeks me and Chris venture into town to try to different restaurants. Our favourites are Soma, Sports Bar and Hanumans.

Montes 

The Rock Bar

Casino with the NT footballers

Sunaras Bar & Restaurant

Mexican Day

My Birthday

A few weeks ago myself and the girls from work went to see a Didgeridoo show in town. It was a really good night out and another freebie for working at the hotel :) Me and Chris brought an awesome Didgeridoo last week from the guy who does the shows as well as a boomerang. There's loads of aboriginal art shops in town and we brought a pretty cool painting too.

Didgeridoo Show



West MacDonnell Ranges

A few weeks ago me and Chris had half a day off together so decided to spend the morning exploring a few places on the West MacDonnell Ranges. Our first stop was Ellery Creek. Its winter here now so its pretty cold but we thought we'd brave it and go swimming. I've heard people get hypothermia here in the summer and when we got there we decided it wasn't a good idea! It was freezing!! I reckon had it been summer we'd have gone back for a BBQ and a swim here but we'll be leaving Alice Springs in September and still won't be warm enough to get me in there! Still, it was a lovely spot and has camping here.

Ellery Creek

We only had time to stop at Simpsons Gap and Standley Chasm as time was ticking on. Both we're really nice spots but you have to pay to get into Standley Chasm. It was only about $10 each so we thought it was worth it.

Simpsons Gap

Standley Chasm

I'm glad we went to see some parts of the West MacDonnell ranges whilst we're living in Alice Springs, although I much prefer the East Mac's.

East Macs Climb

We've been living in Alice Springs for the last 4 months now and only managed to climb the East Macs Ranges for the first time last month. Considering its right outside our hotel Alice in the Territory we should have done it sooner because the views from the top are amazing!