Alice Springs tours, culture and wildlife, Australia

Environment
The accommodation provider during this visit has just been awarded the “Best Environmental Practice for 2009”. They have a ground-breaking $3.3 million PV installation has reduced the hotel’s energy consumption by 40-80 percent. The solar installation provides the greatest overall energy saving and reduce the hotel’s annual carbon footprint by 420 tonnes of CO2. The system generates over 530,000 kWh per year, which is enough to power a further 60 family homes.

The Alice Springs Desert Park presents and interprets the Australian desert environment and its inhabitants, and contributes to the conservation of Australia's desert flora and fauna. The accuracy, authenticity and appropriateness of its presentation and interpretation and the quality of its scientific work are essential.

The Park site is of significant cultural importance to the local Arrernte people and includes parts of the Akngwelye Artnwere and Yeperenye Altyerre (Wild Dog and Caterpillar dreaming stories). Hence the Desert Park provides a sensitive and realistic insight into Aboriginal culture by display and interpretation of the traditional use of plants and animals and with regular liaison with local indigenous groups. This ongoing process has resulted in the Traditional Custodians of the Park site experiencing a strong sense of pride and ownership in the attraction.

We want visitors to leave the Park with an increased desire and ability to Respect, Enjoy and Look After the Australian desert environment and its inhabitants. These three key values therefore underpin everything that we do at the Park.

The Alice Springs Desert Park is committed to the conservation of Northern Territory biodiversity as well as both State and Federal Recovery Plans. Recovery Plans are multi-disciplinary, multi-faceted and invariably aimed at recovering bio-diversity, whether by ameliorating direct threats to a species, or recovering habitat. The Alice Springs Desert Park’s role in the NRETAS (Natural Resources Environment, the Arts and Sport) programs includes assisting with research, genetic management, field work, quarantine, holding and breeding components as well as providing other animal management expertise and advice on capture and handling techniques. The Alice Springs Desert Park is represented on a number of faunal Recovery teams including the Mala, Bilby, Central Rock-rat, Slaters Skink and a number of other arid zone species.

Community
The Dot Painted Mountain Bike is owned and operated by an Aboriginal man from Alice Springs. As quoted from Jungala “Its time Aboriginal people determine who benefits from their culture. The future is in our hands, our destiny is where we decide to take it” Through these experiences, you are supporting income immediately towards local indigenous communities – this directly provides economic benefits as well as social benefits through supporting local communities, education of the local culture helps keep the culture alive.

Palm Valley, a valley where some of the world’s most spectacular plants and birds have thrived and survived for centuries. A journey through Palm Valley, part of the Finke River National Park 138 km west of Alice Springs.

Through visiting this region you also visit the Hermannsberg Precinct. Hermannsberg hold quite significant historical importance as it was the first Aboriginal Mission in the Northern Territory (this is a National Heritage listed site). In 1982, control of the mission lands was restored to the traditional Aranda owners. Through visiting these lands, you gain insight into the Aranda & Australian History and through the entry fee, visiting Kata Anga Tea Rooms and the opportunity to purchase art work, all economies feed directly back into this remote community.

The walking Tour in Alice Springs is owned and operated by Linda Wells, who is a long time resident of Alice Springs. Through participating in this tour, you are contributing economies directly to the local community.