18/04/2008
Field work. The reason I am based in Canberra. It is a little backward, but the reason I live in Canberra is so I can go somewhere else. In recent weeks I have had two trips to interesting places within Australia. Fortunately, I am an efficient worker, especially when there are sights I want to see after the work is done.
First trip was to the astronomical capital of Australia in the Warrumbungle National park, near Coonabarabran in north-ish, central-ish New South Wales. The work was to determine the reference point of a 22m radio telescope. We knocked that over in two days and then made time for a few quick walks in the park. We bush bashed up Mopra rock one evening at dusk and the next morning walked around split rock. The park is full of different shaped ridges, spires and domes, with plenty of walks for bludgers like me. Coona is a classic country town with pubs on every corner and a dodgy looking bakery which makes great pies and cakes. I sampled all I could. My favourite part of this trip was that we got to drive the 7 hours there and back along the country highways. I like long distances drives and when you are in the Z-car (government plates start with a red Z) and getting paid for it, it is even better.
Next trip was to the Alice. Again the work was a piece of piss and then we had even more time to explore. I am a big fan of the red centre, having fallen in love with the place when I worked in the desert for two months in 2005. It was great to be back in the Territory. The Alice is predominantly a tourist town, serving as a port for visitors to the rock. They usaully don't realise the rock is a further 500km from Alice, and not just around the corner. Although it is a tourist town, it is all done with a bit of class, almost like they aren't even trying. They know what people are there for and that they don't have to do much to get their money. I much prefer Alice's approach to tourism than what I saw in New Zealand at Queenstown or Rotorua. We had some beatiful meals in Alice and I'm not sure if it was something to do with being back in the territory, but the beers went down really smooth.
View of Alice from ANZAC hill
Working! Don't tell anyone.
With the work successfully completed we had time for a few activities. A run along the Todd River (usually dry) from town to the old telegraph station and back. The telegraph station was the first reason for Alice Springs (then called Stuart). Todd was the first telegraph station manager and Alice was his missus. Thus the names. The run was followed by a much need swim in the hotel pool (we don't skimp on the accommodation, food, entertainment, etc). It was strange, but the pool was the coldest water I had ever swum in, and I have swum in Antarctica. We made a trip out and into the West MacDonnell Ranges. Great again to be driving fast along the desert roads. First stop was Standley Chasm at midday (when the suns rays penetrate the chasm from directly above). We had a scramble up loose rocks to get the view from the height of the mountains and then got onto part of the Larapinta trail, which is a 200km long trail that runs west from Alice Springs through the ranges. We also made a quick visit to Simpson Gap and a walk around Cassia hill.
Standley Chasm
Simpson Gap
On our last evening in town we climbed to the trig station at the top of Mt Gillen, which is on western end of the scarp that over looks Alice. It was a pleasant climb. The view at the top of Alice, the west MacDonnells and the ever distant horizon of desert scrub was wonderful. At the top we shared a bottle of wine with a spunky german chick and a Tassie bloke. Random folk we met on the way up. It was just the four of us sitting at the top of the mountain with our legs dangling over the cliff passing the bottle of wine between us. We climbed down as the sunset and the rocks burned red. Fantastic.
Mt Gillen
View from the top
Check out the rock wallaby
With the red dust still on my shoes, I reluctantly returned to Canberra. It's ok. In three weeks I am off on another adventure worthy of a knight errant, into the great lands of Spain, Portugal and Morocco. Those tales will be covered in the next chapters.
