Tiger Tales

AliceSprings January-February 2008

Previous Months January-February 2008 November-December 2007

■ Population: 22,500
■ Currency: Australian Dollars (AUD)
■ Country and city code: +61, +8
■ Tourist info: Central Australian Tourism, Visitor Centre - 60 Gregory Street, Alice Springs
■ tel: +61 (0)8 8952 5800
■ email: visinfo@catia.asn.au
■ website: www.centralaustraliantourism.com

FUN FACT

Central Australia was once covered by a vast inland sea. Fossilised imprints of sea creatures have been found along the mountain ridges.

Alice Springs Reptile Centre (9 Stuart Terrace, tel: +61 (0)8 8952 8900)
Home to some of the world’s most venomous snakes, huge perentie goannas, frilled-neck lizards and the desert’s amazing thorny devils, the centre boasts the Northern Territory’s biggest display of reptiles and a new fossil cave. Admission costs AUD12 (SGD15.60) for adults; AUD6 (SGD7.80) for kids.

Hot-Air Ballooning (tel: +61 (0)8 8952 8723)
Soaring at sunrise in a hot-air balloon thousands of feet above a magnificent desert landscape is pure exhilaration. The ride is topped off by a sumptuous four-course breakfast. A 30-minute flight costs AUD220 (SGD287) and a one-hour flight, AUD340 (SGD444). complexes in Alice Springs. You’ll find gifts, books, shoes, clothes, coffee joints and a major supermarket.

Tjanpi Desert Weavers (3 Wilkinson Street, tel: +61 (0)8 8958 2377)
Pick up exquisite baskets, vessels and sculptured fibre artifacts woven by Aboriginal women at this exhibition and sales outlet. Open Monday to Friday from 10am to 4pm.

Yeperenye Shopping Centre (36-38 Hartley Street, tel: +61 (0)8 8952 5177)
With over 40 vibrant speciality shops under one roof, Yeperenye is one of best retail complexes in Alice Springs. You’ll find gifts, books, shoes, clothes, coffee joints and a major supermarket.

Overlanders Steakhouse (72 Hartley Street, tel: +61 (0)8 8952 2159)
It’s the most talked about eatery for visitors to Alice Springs. On the menu is the “Drovers Blowout”, a hearty traditional bush feast. Its centrepiece is a “Jurassic Lamb Shank”, but make sure you bring friends with a healthy appetite – it feeds 80 people! The Drovers Blowout costs AUD60 (SGD78) per person. Other menu items range from AUD19 (SGD25) to AUD34 (SGD44). $$

Lasseter’s Casino (93 Barrett Drive, tel: +61 (0)8 8950 7777)
Near the McDonnell Ranges, Lasseter’s boasts its own Irish pub called Limericks with a music system that caters for 4,500 song requests.

Desert Palms Resort (74 Barrett Drive) *
This resort has cosy self-contained villas and the feel of an outback oasis, and golfing fanatics can be on the famous desert greens of the Alice Springs Golf Course in no time! Room rates start from AUD105 (SGD137). $

Aurora Alice Springs (11 Leichhardt Terrace, Alice Springs)
Relax in this divine abode after a day out. End the day with a hearty meal from the hotel’s award-winning restaurant, The Red Ochre Grill. Room rates start from AUD99 (SGD130.35).

BY KERRY SHARP

* FOR EXCLUSIVE DEALS, BOOK HOTELS AT www.TIGERAIRWAYS.COM TIGER AIRWAYS AUSTRALIA DOMESTIC FLIGHTS TO ALICE SPRINGS ARE SCHEDULED TO COMMENCE 1 MARCH, SUBJECT TO CASA REGULATORY APPROVAL