Day 22: Alice Springs, NT

Arriving in Alice Springs, I had a very definite image in my head of what I was expecting. I guess a sort of cowboy town with wooden huts, swing doors and a whole lot of sand and not much else. I can't say I was completely on the wrong track... considerably more developed of course but really nothing to do.

After a quick dip in the pool I befriended a Canadian photographer for the tour organiser I was travelling with and, with little else to do, we both jumped onto another tour group that were heading into town for the afternoon.

First stop was the highest point in Alice Springs, Anzac Hill - a mount that looks out over the town and is now dedicated to a world war memorial. The views are certainly spectacular but clarify to me that beyond the immediate white buildings, AS is isolated.

In town itself, I was surprised to see so many aboriginals. I'd understood, particularly in Central Australia, that the aboriginal communities stuck to themselves but clearly I was wrong. Aside from the reptile centre, the flying doctor clinic and a museum, there's not much to do besides having an iced tea in a suspiciously Starbucks-like cafe.

In the evening we gather at the bottom of the mountain by our hotel and tons of wild wallabies flock to eat from our hands. There little claws grabbing onto your fingers, shoveling food into their mouths. Quite an experience! Definitely in the Bush now...

Afterwards we continue to gate crash the other tour in lieu of any apparent people from our own tour kicking off tomorrow. The Central Australian delicacy to be had? Chicken Schnitzel Parmagiana apparently.