Friday, August 19, 2011

AUSTRALIA - NORTHERN TERRITORY

ALICE SPRINGS
Hotels
Chifley Alice Springs Resort – 34 Stott Terrace; 011-61-8-8951-4545; chifleyhotels.com.au; modern, comfortable facilities; low rise architecture and lush green lawns on Todd River banks, with magnificent river red gum trees; 139 rooms, swimming pool, restaurant, and bar; 5 minute walk away from town.
Services
Alice Wanderer – 011-61-8-8952-2111; alicewanderer.com.au; tour guides.
Tailormade Tours – 011-61-8-8952-1731; tailormadetours.com.au; tours.
Sights & Sites
Larapinta Trail – nt.gov.au/nreta/parks/walks/larapinta; hiking recommended April-October only.



AYERS ROCK (Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park) – National park itself covers vast area around Ayers Rock; World Heritage-listed wilderness; 18 miles away from Ayers Rock is Kata Tjuta (“Olgas”), tallest being 650' higher than Ayers Rock; base is 16 miles around, compared to Ayers’ 5 miles; each is remains of ancient mountain that eroded and then was surrounded by sea, compressed by heat, and then buckled up again; only 3% of rocks are visible – rest is below ground; Kata Tjuta is not open for hiking or close-up viewing; can go by guide only.
Hotels
Lost Camel Hotel – Yulara Drive; 011-61-2-8296-8010; ayersrockrestort.com.au/camel; lobby features contemporary furnishings, bright open spaces, and intimate café and bar; pool and deck; lobby bar and lounge; plasma screens.
Voyages Longitude 131° – Yulara Ayers Rock; 011-61-2-8296-8010; voyages.com.au; eco-sensitive, luxurious, and romantic; 5-star luxury and private views of sunrise and sunset over Ayers Rock.



KAKADU NATIONAL PARK – Australia’s largest national park – half Switzerland’s size; coastal mangroves, savannas, woodlands, and spectacular escarpments and waterfalls; also, rich repository of rock art (best seen at Nourlangie and Ubirr, along Arnhem escarpment).
Hotels, Lodges & Resorts
Bamurru Plains – 011-61-2-9571-6399; bamurruplains.com; notable for safari-style rooms and first-class food.
Gagudju Crocodile Holiday Inn – 1 Flinders Street, Kakadu National Park (Jabiru); 011-61-8-8979-9000; holidayinn.com; building is shaped like crocodile.
Kakadu Culture Camp – Kurrajong Outstation, Kakadu National Park, Northern Territory; 011-61-4-2879-2048; kakaduculturecamp.com; comfortable tent camp offering night walks, bush food, and night cruises on Djarradin Billabong.
Wildman Wilderness Lodge – Via Point Stuart Road (on park’s western border, halfway between Darwin and Kakadu); 011-61-2-9181-3155; wildmanwildernesslodge.com.au; 10 cabins and 15 luxury tents on Mary River wetlands; sits on 17 acres; great bush walks; pool and great food; among 4 Australian “Anthology” resorts.
Sights & Sites
Warradjan Cultural Center – kakadu-attractions.com/warradjan/index.htm; near Cooinda; introduction to tribal system.

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