A town like Alice

The town of Alice Springs, surrounded by red desert and the mighty MacDonnell Ranges, has plenty to keep us busy. We enjoy a day at the Desert Park whose displays of plant life, animals and landscapes ensure we will never look at a desert the same way again; we trawl the Sunday markets; we fully experience the Henley-on-Todd Regatta; Rikki and Sam enjoy a special girlie morning leaving the boys back at the BMX track; and, in a blaze of initiative and entrepreneurial zeal, the kids hold a garage sale to flog all the toys, books and playthings they’ve grown bored of (and with our van being parked opposite the playground and jumping pillows, there's no shortage of customers or sales). Alice has plenty more attractions and aboriginal artwork for us to discover but we have a rendezvous in Uluru to get to. We leave after buying the kids new wallets to hold their growing fortunes and with the promise to be back soon.

The Budding Entrepreneurs busy at work. Jack closes the sale while the others scan for customers.

Lining up for free pancakes on Sunday morning at what we vote to be the best organised caravan park in Australia, so far.

Rikki models an aboriginal head roll and serving bowl at the Alice Springs Desert Park.

Bush tucker and bush medicine ... at the Alice Springs Desert Park. 

First sushi dinner. Homemade by mum. With even a raw vegan version. Soy sauce smiles all round.