Day44-46 Alice Springs & around

Time to leave Kings Canyon for another couple of days in Alice Springs. To have some diversion, we decided to drive the Ernest Giles road, about 100 km gravel back to the Stuart Highway leading back to Alice Springs. The gravel road is in a good condition and almost nobody around. The only animal we saw was one cow next to the street. Just before one reaches the Stuart Highway there is a little detour to the Henbury Meteorite Crater. There is a walk around the craters with good explanation signs. Apparently US astronauts were doing trainings here before landing on the moon.

Back on the Stuart Highway, we had to stop for Stuart at the Stuart Well Roadhouse to take a photo of Stuart on the camel in front of the Stuart Well Roadhouse. The adjacent camel riding was closed due too Covid.

Next day was all about the car: bush check revealed some problems, so the car was taken care of while we were catching up on work, reading, doing laundry (inspected by birds) and of course planing our next trips, e.g. GRR.

Next day was a freezing start, just 0C at 7am, but we had to organise the tyre repair as driving with a nail in the tyre is not the best idea. After the tyre repair was all sorted, it was just about 11am but still only 8C, so too cold and late for any longer walks. Therefore we drove to Standley Chasm, which is best to visit around midday and is only about 50km drive from Alice Springs. On the drive you can see some nice panoramas before you enter the car park. It is a short & easy walk to the chasm. Stuart insisted on waiting until all people have left for some nice pictures. The tiny "palm trees" on the photos are actually cycads, often mistaken for palm trees.

Next on the way back to Alice Springs was Simons gap. It is a short walk down to the gap with spectacular views around. Unfortunately, the way and the gap were in the shade and a big group of school kids made lots of noise, so couldn´t stay for long to enjoy the views.

Back in Alice Springs we wanted to visit the Royal Flying Doctor Service Museum. With a short introduction from a guide, a movie about the  founder John Flynn and the history of the service, a small museum displaying old medical care & radios as well as a walk in plane and two virtual reality story this museum was just amazing to visit. Highly recommended to drop in! As Stuart was still missing a hat required for walks we decided to buy one here in support of the Royal Flying Doctor Service, in the hope we never ever require their assistance on our travels in the 'Never, Never Land'.

Last stop was just opposite of the museum: Stuart wanted to say G´day to John McDouall Stuart