Highlights of travelling between Alice Springs and Uluru - August 2015

Leaving Alice Springs

Stop at the Camel Farm

My first ride on a camel

At the Camel Farm

Lunch stop

Mount Connor

Arrived at Uluru

The trek between Alice Springs and Uluru is a long road trip.  We stopped off at a Camel Farm along the way which gave me the opportunity to cross "ride a camel" off my bucket list.  I can't say that the experience was something that I would want to do again but I was lucky enough to get a friendly camel with an experienced camel trainer - so it was all good.

The country is very barren and flat with the exception of Mount Connor which at first glance looks like Ayers Rock. We did not see any animals other than those in captivity at the camel farm. 

Peter was not feeling well so we were happy to arrive at our resort and get checked in.

There are more photos of our trek on my travel blog which you can view by selecting my profile and choosing my travel blog from my list of blogs.

Highlights of Alice Springs - August 2015

Flying Adelaide to Alice Springs

Peter enjoying the sunshine in our private courtyard at our resort

Swimming pool at our resort

Looking towards the Casino at our resort. (No multi stories in Alice Springs)

Hermannsburg Historic Precinct map

Memorial to Albert Namatjira

Albert Namatjira prints for sale in the gift shop

Turnoff to the Hermannsburg Historic Precinct

At the lookout

Lookout country

Cycads growing in the wild

Palms growing naturally in Palm Valley

Typical flat bush land outside Alice Springs

Alice Springs

Alice Springs

Alice Springs

Alice Springs

After our Adelaide experience we flew to Alice Springs to start our Red Centre experience.

Alice Springs is a lot smaller than I expected. It is very flat and not very inspiring at first glance. We met Ron and Di there who were our travel companions for the Red Centre Tour.

We stayed at a nice resort that had the Casino attached to it.  Our rooms were comfortable and there was a free self service laundry that was handy.  Peter had caught a chest infection from the bad weather in Adelaide so he was not up to touring. 

It is very flat and there are no multi stories in Alice Springs - very much like the small country town. 

There is not a whole lot to do in Alice Springs unless you do a bus tour to the bush attractions.  We had booked a full day tour to see Hermannsburg Precinct, the Cycad Gorge and Palm Valley.

It was a huge day leaving early morning and getting back at dusk. In hind sight a half day tour may have been better.

The Hermannsburg Precinct was very interesting with a huge amount of historic information and a good insight into life as it was in the pioneer days.  

The Cycad Gorge and Palm Valley was amazing as the country is so arid it is hard to imagine how plants of any sort can survive.  

All of my photos are on my travel blog which you can view by going to my profile and selecting my travel blog. 

Highlights of the 3 Day Murray Princess Cruise - August 2015

The Murray Princess

Murray River Map 

Our cabin on board the Murray Princess (disabled room was much roomier than the standard cabins)

Shower room

Ensuite toilet

Daily cocktails

Formal dinners

Moored at Murray Bridge

Dining room on the Murray Princess

Fishing competition on the banks of the Murray

With the Captain 

With the senior staff

Staff photo

Typical Murray River scene 

Our Murray Princess cruise was an interesting experience.  The paddle steamer was well set out with cabins on the bottom and restaurant and lounges upstairs with a lift for those people unable to use the stairs. The service was the same as any cruise liner having casual breakfast and formal lunches and dinner.

All of my photos are on my travel blog which you can view by going to my profile view and selecting my travel blog.

We enjoyed the experience and found the three days was enough to appreciate the river and the historical landmarks along the way. 

Highlights of Adelaide - August 2015

At the restaurant next door to our Hotel

War Memorials

Museum (is much effort larger inside than it looks outside)

My birthday present from the Apple Store in Adelaide

At the Botanical Gardens (before the rain set in)

Peter at the Adelaide Oval - pouring rain

Swimming pool on the roof of the Stamford Plaza Hotel (far too cold for swimming)

Map of Adelaide - our hotel (Stamford Plaza) was centrally situated walking distance from the Adelaide Oval, Botanical Gardens, museum, shops and restaurants.

We were unlucky enough to get bad weather while we were in Adelaide.  That did not stop us from looking around as most things were walking distance and there is a free bus service that loops around the city so we could get a good overview.

It was 14 degrees with an icy wind of the most of the time we were in Adelaide so luckily there were places we could visit where we could get out of the weather.  The museum was good and we did a tour inside the Adelaide Oval sporting facilities which was very interesting.

I was delighted to come across an Apple Store while we were checking out the shopping centre of Adelaide. Peter weakened and bought me an Apple Watch for my birthday which I just love.

All of my photos are now on my travel blog - go to my profile view and select my travel blog from there.