A day in Olive Pink Botanic Garden - Part 3
August 2022
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| in their natural habitat |
After our previous action-packed days, we sought some moments of solace. And staying opposite the Botanic Garden, we couldn't think of a better place to spend the day. Lured by the Bean Tree Garden café's advertisement, we indulged in a yummy brunch and then chose a secluded spot amongst the numerous Australian plant species, for reflective contemplation. Surrounded by wildlife, birds and native flowers, the magic surroundings left a profound mark on our well-being.
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can you spot the kangaroo? I better get a closer shot |
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| I'd like a face to face shot, please |
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| that's better, thanks for obliging |
I just love the different species of trees, some seem to be talking to me, or ready to take on a human form, or something like that.
Sandrifter Safari to Alice Springs Desert Park
Refreshed, with our senses replenished, we were ready for our half-day Sandrifter Safari, under the expert guidance of Bill Wilcox.
Bill took us on a personalised tour of the Alice Springs Desert Park. With humour and insightful commentary, he took us from one enclosure to another. We marvelled at the various birds, reptiles and other native animals living there.
First up we came close to the Australian Dingo. Dingos can breed with domestic dogs. The result is not a dingo. Few, if any, pure wild dingoes now exists in South-eastern Australia.
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| pure bred Dingo |
Dingoes are still hunted as a pest species in many areas. The longest fence in the world (5614 km) was built to try and keep them out of sheep country. The fence went from north of Brisbane to east of Yalata in South Australia. Dingoes are now listed as 'threatened' on the IUCN Red List.
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| Emus strutting around |
This flightless bird of Australia, at more than 1.5 mtr tall, is the second largest living bird. Emus can dash away at nearly 50 km per hour; if cornered, they kick with their big three-toed foot. Emus mate for life. The female is very clever, she leaves it up to the male to incubate 7 to 10 dark green eggs in a ground nest for about 60 days. Emus forage for fruits and insects.
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| if I knew its name, you'd know it too |
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| Red-tailed Black-Cockatoo |
Probing for grubs under the bark, these Black Cockatoos can be very destructive but handsome, nonetheless.
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| watching us watching them |
The number of different bird species is such, that I found it difficult to include them all. But if you are into birds, that is the place to visit.
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| Perentie |
The Perentie is Australia's largest lizard.
The one above is at least 2-2 ½ metres long. A deeply forked tongue seems to be
tasting the air. Perenties sometimes raid the local chook pens and can get
stuck in the wire.
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| blue-tongued lizard at home in Brisbane |
Back at home, I just found the above pictured, blue-tongued lizard floating in the swimming pool. I scooped him out, he moved a little and once he warmed, climbed out of the leaf rake to slowly crawl onto the rocks to enjoy the sunshine. He is about ½ metre long. How come I know he's got a blue tongue? I saw it.
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| Australian Bustard |
Yes, you are reading correctly - a Bustard. Legend has it, that he is popular bush food, known as 'bush turkey'. The males watch and shake their throat pouches to attract the females. Apparently, when they fly overhead, it is a spectacular sight.
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| Thorny Devils |
A spiky outline, a camouflage pattern and a stuttering step, make the Thorny Devil look like a fluttering leaf to aerial predators. If you look closely, the two pictured above are mating.
The grooves in the skin draw water from all over its body to its mouth. The Thorny Devil can drink by just standing in the rain or in small puddles.
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| ready to attack |
The decoy 'head' on the back of their neck means that their face and eyes are less likely to be injured if they are attacked. These lizards eat little black ants in the desert. Fortunately, there is an endless variety and supply, as this is all they eat.
We saw the rare and endangered animals of the Red Centre in the Nocturnal House. As it was in darkness, I couldn't take any photos, but I have lots of memories :) as you might imagine...
After seeing owls, magpies, cockatoos and other birds doing amazing tricks and feasting during feeding sessions, our morning at the Desert Park came to an end, but not without Bill driving us to Anzac Hill Lookout for a panoramic view over Alice.
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| the airport is behind the gap |
Bill dropped us off at the Araluen Cultural Precinct, where we enjoyed a mouth-watering lunch. I love the artworks created out of steel, scrap and whatnot, to result in quirky monuments.
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| cowboy on horseback |
The art gallery housed an interesting 'clay on country' exhibition as well as the 'Advocate Art Award 2022'. The diverse and eclectic clay exhibition includes well over thirty artists. Some are established ceramic artists, some new, but all have produced accomplished, insightful and contemporary works that reflect the culturally and historically rich and complex region where they live and work. A visit well worth the slightly long walk back into town.
On our walk back we crossed 'Boucaut' street. Was it named after you, dear friend? Anyway, if you didn't know your ancestors were here, this is the proof.
Sunset Camel Ride
Following Anke's recommendation during our trip to Uluru, we decided to go on a Sunset Camel Ride on our last night in Alice. The lovely Ellie from Pyndan Camel Tracks picked us up from our hotel and drove us to the farm. There we climbed onto 'Good Boy's' back and swayed into the sunset.
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| can you see our silhouettes on top of 'Good Boy' ? |
Taking in the scenic valleys up close to the majestic MacDonnell Ranges was a wonderful experience, relaxing and great fun. We even spotted the odd kangaroo and appreciated the true beauty of the outback.
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| he was such a good boy :) |
After our one hour ride we dismounted Good Boy, and were treated to some refreshingly chilled bubbles, pretzels and locally grown dates at the Farm.
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| like ships sailing into the night |
Ellie took us back to our hotel, where we enjoyed this trip's last barramundi. The next morning, we flew back to the big smoke of Brisbane with lasting memories of another fabulous trip to outback Australia.
ps it took a while for the camel smell to disappear out of the laundry 😉
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