On my first night out in Alice Springs, someone asked me 'Where are you from?' I answered 'Melbourne' without hesitation. They didn't seem phased by my answer and calmly replied 'Yeah thought so. One thing you need to know about Alice Springs is nobody is from here Alice Springs.' I thought about this for a bit and concluded it odd. It turns out he was quite right. Over the coming days I met people from all walks of life, none who were originally from Alice Springs.
That there is one of the many things that makes Alice Springs so unique - the colourful mix of people who bring life to the arid landscape in the geographical heart of Australia.
Venturing beyond the township itself you are spoilt for choice, with Mount Gillen a short five minute drive and Ellery Creek Big Hole only another fifty minutes on top of that.
The spectacular un-signposted walk up to the summit of Mount Gillen will set you back about an hour, with the most unyielding stretch challenging you just before reaching the summit. Meeting the peak is rewarding with 360 degrees views over Alice Springs and the surrounding parched landscape.
Ellery Creek on the other hand is all about the relaxation. Enjoy a picnic under the trees overlooking the narrow enclosing walls hanging over the waterhole and follow it on with a swim in the cool waters - trickling down from the West MacDonnell Ranges.
For the little amount of time I had to unearth this peculiar little rural hub, I got a lot out of it. I can say I will be back in an attempt to venture further abroad.
