As previously mentioned, I have been travelling Oz, on and off, since 1960. Everything has changed since I lived in "Alice" when the population was about 3500. It, like so many many other parts of this country, was a place where you could leave the keys in your car, and the house unlocked. You can't do that any longer in Alice Springs, or just about any other town or city in this entire country. When the media "screams" about street violence, break and enter, car theft and home invasion, they report it from all parts of Australia, depending on how much they can "wring" out of the story. Of course there is a chance of being "mugged" in Alice Springs. Same applies to The Gold Coast, Perth, Sydney, Darwin, Melbourne, The Kimberley etc etc etc. I have a lot of good friends in many parts of this country, and they tell me that they no longer go out at night for the fear of being attacked, mainly by "misunderstood youth" (joke). Yes, everything has changed, but don't let it stop you from going to see this beautiful country. On previous forum I have listed some of the things that can harm, or kill you on land or in the sea. Well add to that list, human beings. Please don't let the stories about one town can put you off travel, or else maybe we should all stay at home and see it on DVD. Besides, when some of you folks head north for the winter, believe me, once you fill the fuel tank, and pay the powered site fee you won't be able to afford to go out at night. Regards Pipes
-- Edited by pipes on Saturday 12th of March 2011 07:54:00 PM
You have a great attitude Pipes. When I travel I just use commonsense, (not always so common), take any precautions necessary, without becoming paranoid. I get around in the towns and regions to enjoy what's out there. Sometimes it can be quite entertaining observing the "locals" from a distance. Just see it for what it is, without judgement, if you can, and be amused. I store my observations in my memory banks, and eventually a pattern forms, and I have enough material to write books. People watching is my favourite activity in shopping centres and wherever people gather.
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20ft Roma caravan - Mercedes Benz Sprinter - SA-based at the moment. Transport has no borders.
Management makes the decisions, but is not affected by the decisions it makes.
I always listen to my gut, if it says it doesn't feel right, I don't do it. I use that instinct every day of my life anyway.
I would hate to miss a lovely part of this land because I listened to too many opinions to be honest. I am not trying to say that anyones opinion isn't spot on for them but we all see the world through different eyes, which is what makes it such a great place to have the honour of seeing.
See for me, I will never go to Ayers Rock, freaks me out to no end. But all who have been there love it, my gut tells me to steer clear.
Maybe I'm just a weirdo.
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I must be a binge thinker. I do it a lot at times, then, not much at all.
I agree totally FF and this too is how I live my life.
As for Ayres Rock, I've been wasn't all that impressed on a personal level and yes, there were definitely vibes there that didn't quite come up to scratch.
Interesting... I was awed by the "Vibes" I got from that huge rock, walked around it, looked at it, touched it even, but theres no way I would climb it. I felt that would be a desecration.
It definitely has a "Presence", liked by some but not all.
There has probably only one place that I felt completely freaked out - would not have stayed there in a fit - Halls Creek - something about it made my skin crawl. Had no problems in Alice, always felt safe there - stayed at G;day Mate each time, have free camped, caravan parked all around the country, and never had a problem, except for Halls Creek. Having said all that - the other place that I probably would never camp would be anywhere on the Gold Coast - too busy, too many people, caravan parks like mini villages - yuk!!!! As for Ularu - my first visit was a very emotional time - had wanted to go for so long, the first site bought tears to my eyes. Didn't know if I would climb it, but it felt right that I should, so I did - and it was amazing, it is a very spiritual place, but not just for the indigenous. My opinion anyway.
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jules "Love is good for the human being!!" (Ben, aged 10)
I'm a weirdo too. Trust the gut all the time. The hairs on my neck stood on end at a place called Lake Nulla Nulla, near Lonesome Nat park in Qld. We listened to my gut and left !!!. Told Dero I will never go back there. Cheers Dellie
Had a hair on the back of the neck raise at lake ayre, 10 to 12 I through the swag in the back of the bus and didnt stop until I got to Cober Pedy about 360 odd km, I will go back but will never camp there. didnt feel right at ayres rock either, no bad feelings but dont like it. Loved the olgas though cheers blaze
I'm a weirdo too. Trust the gut all the time. The hairs on my neck stood on end at a place called Lake Nulla Nulla, near Lonesome Nat park in Qld. We listened to my gut and left !!!. Told Dero I will never go back there. Cheers Dellie
Got an idea that should be Lake Nuga Nuga DellieMay. Can't locate a Lake Nulla Nulla anywhere.
I'm a weirdo too. Trust the gut all the time. The hairs on my neck stood on end at a place called Lake Nulla Nulla, near Lonesome Nat park in Qld. We listened to my gut and left !!!. Told Dero I will never go back there. Cheers Dellie
Got an idea that should be Lake Nuga Nuga DellieMay. Can't locate a Lake Nulla Nulla anywhere.
Cheers, Sheba.
Isn't that funny. We stayed at Lake Nuga Nuga last year and thought it was a beaut spot. There were four vehicles though,,,I wouldn't have liked to stay there alone. Fantastic spot for sunset photo's.
In regards to Ayres Rock, the first time I saw it I was awe struck too. It seems to effect people in all sorts of ways. It certainly felt eerie.
The kids were little then, so I never tried to go up. But the second time I tried, and got the 'heeby jeebys' and needed help to come down. I hadn't gone far anyway.
I wouldn't go back again. In fact, I have no interest in going to the centre again at all. Been there, done that, rather see something different.
Sorry Folks..... I realised at about 2am that it should've been Nuga Nuga.. Just having a "senior moment". At least you know where it was. Truely overpowering for me, at that place. Cheers Dellie
I drove through NT and had no intentions of doing "The Rock". There has been too much politics chucked at the thing, and it's not free. I think it should be there for everyone for free. I'm sure it's a great experience, and I've seen photos when it's raining there. Magnificent! I just feel weird about it. When I achieved my goal of reaching the Daintree, I parked in Mossman Gorge and cried - overwhelmed at my own achievement. There's a van park in Townsville which gave me the heebies. I almost broke the speed limit getting out. I think Yasi wrecked it, and not a moment to soon.
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20ft Roma caravan - Mercedes Benz Sprinter - SA-based at the moment. Transport has no borders.
Management makes the decisions, but is not affected by the decisions it makes.
Hi all, I'm a 17 year Territorian and now live in the Alice after spending a lot of time in national parks around NT. Don't listen to all the doom and gloom about Alice. Yes, the town has its problems like any other town that has a transient population. Sure you might have to be careful about where you go out alone in Alice at night but it's the same in a lot of places around Oz.
The Territory is still one of the few places you can attach a sense of adventure and we have awe inspiring national parks and landscapes. There is plenty of room for everyone and you can find a place that suits your style of travel no matter where you go. If you have any questions go to the source and not listen to ramped up media stories designed to sell papers or end up on TV.
Enjoy your travels....
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I don't take much notice of the media stories. I'd rather hear from people like you.
CG, a young couple I know went to the rock in January...yes silly time to be travelling the outback, as they found out...and they said it costs $70 to go in now!
.. In my youth I spent 4 years out at Hermannsburg which was a mission in those days. One of my parents acquaintances of those days is still living outside the Alice and runs a small Caravan/ Camp Ground just south of the Alice ouside the Gap and west off the main road .. about 6 -7 k's I think .. Her Initials are M.K. and I believe she has one of her sons helping her these days as she is now in the eighties ..I did visit some years ago,but would be keen to know if the 'Park' is still open to the public .. It was nothing exceptionally flashy but had power and non-powered allocations and only 30 mins drive from the Alice ..Cant help with the name of the Park .. sorry !
Sorry Folks..... I realised at about 2am that it should've been Nuga Nuga.. Just having a "senior moment". At least you know where it was. Truely overpowering for me, at that place. Cheers Dellie
Perhaps you were too busy Bugga Buggering off to care We stayed at the abandoned Lonesome homestead (tenting) and it had a feel about it. It kind of felt as though the homestead was waiting for the owners to come home.
Hello again.... >jonathan...yes there are two parks out there, one is called Wanngardi and the other Templebar. One or the other encourages long term stays but I'm not sure which one (I think Templebar which is also pet friendly). A lot of people like them because they are quite low key and away from all the fuss and bother of closer to Alice.
On the comments about the Rock my opinion is that no matter what it costs it is an Australian icon and without a doubt a true spectacle rising up out of the dune country. It is hard to describe that first glimpse, even though a lot of the uninitiated think that Mt. Connor is the Rock, on the way along the Lasseter Highway. To climb or not to climb? Well it will become academic in a couple of years because Parks Australia and the Traditional Owners plan to close the climb anyway. How do the traditional owners feel about climbing...most of their concerns come about due to safety of visitors. You would be surprised just how many people suffer ill effects or even die as a result of climbing or attempting to climb it. The whole rock is not a sacred site but it has a number of individual sacred sites on it related to dreaming trails. There are books you can read on the topic if you desire.
Senior men would climb the Rock in the past. My advice....if you want to climb it do so because before too long you won't get the opportunity at a later date. The thing is that at present you are allowed to do it. No one that matters is going to make judgement calls on you because it is an allowable activity. Some will try and make you feel guilty and most of these people really don't understand. As a NT park ranger, even though these days we don't work directly with the traditional owners, I have heard them discussing the issues they have concerning climbing and yes they do have some cultural concerns but the major thing that keeps coming up time after time in my experience is safety of visitors.
Your choice...for the time being.
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If you want info to travel outback Australia then look at our website
It's certainly an awesome sight as you see it in the distance. Nothing prepares you for the massive size of it and photo's really don't do it justice.
I'd never had a problem with heights in the past, but after 'the rock' (1983) I was left with a fear of heights, which, thankfully has eased over the years.
In those days, I don't think there was enough made of the fact that it was a dangerous climb.
First went to Alice Springs in late 80's. Most recent visit was a few weeks ago. Have been there a number of times in between. Fpr years, we have known not to go near Todd Mall after dark, but have felt fairly secure in the daytime - although sometimes subject to "humbug" encounters. This time, thought things had really deteriorated. Lots of broken glass in the (main) streets we walked. So much rubbish, especially booze related. Tourists might have major restrictions on when they can buy alcohol, how much and what type, but quite clearly the sly grog outlets ensure that this does not apply to "locals" in the know. For the first time here, felt intimidated by groups of indigines - and this was middle of the day. We walked from the Ghan station, to Todd Mall, and it was not a pleasant experience. It was a very negative exposure for overseas tourists from the train. The week before, a tourist had been stabbed in the town. The Intervention measures seem to have made things worse, in Alice, not better.
When we lived in Tennant Creek in the early 80's, I was terrified to go to the supermarket. The indigenous people would congregate at the entrance. Everyone said they were harmless. Within a few weeks, a bloke broke into our unit. Luckily, he ran off when I woke up and spoke to my husband. Our three kids slept through it all, thank God. The police told us later that he'd just served time for molesting a woman in bed, while her husband slept beside her. That's when I totally freaked out.
On the other hand, we met a stockman out in the bush one day, and he was lovely. Asked us very politely if we had a Panadol for a headache. And I have part indigenous cousins who are very good people. I actually have quite a variety of cultures in my extended family.
It's certainly a whole big kettle of fish, but I for one don't believe in the government constantly dishing out money willy nilly.
