5 of the best restaurant experiences in Alice Springs

Planning on visiting Alice Springs in 2016? The city is known for its proximity with some of Australia’s most unique and wonderful natural sites, however it also has a rich cultural side as well with various art galleries, historical sites and more. In addition, there are some fantastic restaurants all over the city with cuisine from all over the world and of course the best local foods and traditional bush tucker.

You might want to visit the following eateries if you do venture to the Alice Springs.

Red Ochre Grill

If you’re keen to try out genuine Aussie bush tucker, the Red Ochre Grill is a great place to do just that. The restaurant has a strong emphasis on fresh local foods, some of which you certainly From game meat to bush fruits, berries and more, the restaurant is decorated with traditional outback colours throughout, creating an unique atmosphere. There’s also a great selection of seafood here to tuck into!


Bluegrass Restaurant

In terms of ambience and atmosphere, Bluegrass Restaurant is sure to impress and remains a favourite for locals and tourists alike. The restaurant is set in a heritage listed building, but we’d highly recommend eating al fresco in the softly lit, leafy and relaxed outdoor area. The menu includes an extensive wine list and a healthy selection of Australian gourmet dishes.


Quandong Homestead Restaurant

Named after the plum (or quandong) trees that surround it, the Homestead Restaurant is located at the center of Earth Sanctuary World Nature Centre, a reserve that entertains and educates visitors about environmental sustainability and life in the outback. Being somewhat detached from the city, the restaurant provides patrons with the chance to dine on local food in what is essentially the outback. There is something truly special about watching the sunset here while enjoying a red wine and meal from the renowned menu.


Hanuman

If you’re a lover of Asian food, Hanuman in Alice Springs is simply not to be missed. It is consistently well-reviewed and along with its sister restaurant of the same name in Darwin, is regarded by many as one of the best Thai/Indian restaurants in the state. Located in the centre of town in the Crowne Plaza Hotel, Hanuman is a fine example of Alice Springs’ multicultural cuisine. It might not have the atmosphere of some of the other restaurants on this list but the food and service is of the highest quality.


QC Restaurant
With its contemporary, modern interior and dynamic, award-winning menu, QC Restaurant is relaxed but also feels high-class and sophisticated. The ever-changing menu is made up of quality, fresh local ingredients with a number of tasty vegetarian dishes available that are well worth a try. QC Restaurant won the 2008 Gold Plate award and is consistently well-received by food critics.


While great food isn’t always what comes to mind when you think of Alice Springs, the city certainly holds its own when it comes to great restaurants. Be sure to check out as many of these great eating spots as you can. If you know of any other great Alice Springs restaurants, feel free to share them in the comments section below!

Best Places to Visit in Australia on A Budget !

If like many people you want to explore the magical locations of Australia, you will soon realise how large the country is and getting to view all of the outstanding locations may well take you a few vacations to discover. Keeping to a budget is your best bet of packing in the most incredible sites in a single trip, so let’s take a look at some of the cheapest places to visit for your trip of a lifetime on a budget.

Hit the beach!

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One of the most famous locations Australia has to relax, unwind and take in an unforgettable site are the many world class beaches along the country’s vast coastline. These locations will only set you back on the transportation costs of getting there, and with world famous sites like Bondi Beach, you will be in for a treat.

There are many different types of beaches and coastlines to visit, so if it is a great beach near a big city you are looking for Bondi Beach surrounding Sydney is one of your best bets. But, take note of spectacular beaches found on the East Coast such as Hyams Beach located in the small coastal town of Jervis Bay which is certified as having the whitest sand in the world.

Visit Heritage Sites

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Visiting Australia’s impressive heritage sites doesn’t have to cost you an arm and a leg either, with many tourist locations across the country and some within reach of the big city centres. The Northern Territory is a place you simply must visit once in your life and with Alice Springs offering superb transportation connections it is one of the best and easiest places to visit on a budget.

The Red Centre offers a huge number of tourist locations and local heritage sites that will inspire you to keep travelling and getting to know the roots of this great country. Earth Sanctuary is one of the best locations in Alice Springs to get you up to speed on both the past and the future of Australia on a sprawling site offering dining and stargazing like you’ve never done before under the dark night’s sky.

Camp It Up!

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What’s cheaper than a hotel? A tent! Camping plays a big role in Australia’s huge tourism industry, with thousands of excellent locations spotted around the country to give you a nearby location for a music festival, a beach party or for a dramatic journey into the heart of the country.

Alice Springs again, being at the heart of the Red Centre lives up to its inspirational location in offering a multitude of locations to pitch a tent, rent a caravan or use a traditional living space in this spectacular environment. You will be spoilt for choice when it comes to camping locations, so shop around to get you the best deal near to Uluru.

Use Local Transportation

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Australia is a very, very large place so the cost of transport to see all of it will soon rack up. One of your best bets when it comes to visiting Australia is to choose a great initial location. Use your landing location as a base for operations and move out into the outback.

Use internal airlines to travel from coast to coast and long trip coaches to get you to the locations in-between. Campervan trips are hugely popular for longer breaks, allowing you to control where you go and how long you stay there, as waking up to the sound of the ocean and then falling asleep to the sounds of the bush kookaburras will make for one unforgettable experience.

Visit the Museums and Galleries

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Australia has a fine collection of museums to take a tour of, with many hosting specialist displays of local native history and heritage exhibitions that are outstanding. The Museum of Contemporary art in Sydney is one great location that has a rotation of modern art to inspire your senses for a little cosmopolitan Australian Culture.

The National Museum of Australia in Canberra is also a choice location for a special insight into heritage exhibitions and spotlights on the native culture of Australia.

Get Outdoor And Explore Nature

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Some of the best kept secrets to this country is the fine examples of different fauna and flora that is available just minutes from many city centres. Some of the best locations for hiking, walking and nature loving will inspire your nature side and allow you, your friends and your entire family to a free day out in the wild.

The Tidal River Campground in Wilson's Promontory National Park, Victoria has a spectacular location to view some of the cutest animals in their natural environment. The river being popular with wombats and other local wildlife is a great opportunity to get close and personal with nature.

Whatever your location to visit in Australia, you can be sure to find more than you expected in this spectacular location. Featuring a huge range of wildlife that is special only to Australia, you will see skies like you’ve never seen before in Earth Sanctuary,dine of traditional bush tucker and visit modern cities exploding with culture, life and personality, meaning your once in a lifetime vacation must have a sequel!

Fun Activities To Do At Earth Sanctuary

If you want to enjoy a fun vacation then Earth Sanctuary is a must see place for you. From Lunch and Bush Tucker Tour to Astronomy Tour, Earth Sanctuary offers everything for you and your family. Enjoy the tasty delicacy of Central Australia after a guided Sustainable Tour at the Earth Sanctuary. For a truly unforgettable experience of the Northern Territory, visit EarthSanctuary NOW !

5 Effective Team Building Activities For Your Business

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For any group of people working together with a common goal, chemistry between the individuals is one of the most important factors for success. It’s one thing to get a group of people together that possess the right skills to get the job done, but to operate at maximum efficiency and productivity requires that this group work together well.

Team building is about promoting strong working relationships between members and group activities can go a long way in helping to create these kinds of bonds.

Let’s take a look at some of the most popular team building activities in Australia and examine why they are effective.

 

After-work drinks

The tradition (if you will) of getting together for a few beers after work is as old as the hills. While it might seem obvious, it allows for the release of tensions and gives workers a good way to celebrate a job well done. It can go a long way in establishing healthy friendly relationships between bosses and employees. In fact, studies show that a boss shouting drinks for employees can significantly improve worker productivity. The effect this has on team chemistry should not be understated.

Where to do it: Any local pub! All you need to do is figure out who’s buying the first round...

Hiking/Camping

Outdoor activities where team members go through a journey or sometimes even a physical struggle together always promote positive team building.The emphasis here is having everyone rely on each other in some way and developing patience and understanding between members of the group. Ultimately, hiking, camping and even hunting together develop team work above all else.

Of course it’s all about having fun too!

Where to do it: There are many organisations that offer these services including Earth Sanctuary in Alice Springs. Here you are provided with guided tours in the outback with a range of activities available.

Sporting events

Light competition between peers is usually a good thing - it gets the heart racing and increases confidence. Sports of all kinds are appropriate for team building, although we’d generally recommend non-contact sports including basketball, volleyball, even go-kart racing!

Where to do it: Most major cities and towns have sporting facilities available. Check out Red Balloon for some good ideas.

 

Cooking

Team cooking days are very hands on and are great for a laugh. Generally these are a lot of fun and the interactive nature of cooking together allows for team work, creativity and a bit of pressure too. Depending on how the day is set up, you can have team members compete against each other or simply take a lesson together.

Where to do it: Cheeky food Group offers team cooking activities all over Australia and New Zealand. Contact them for more info.

Board games

Board games come in all shapes and forms and they are very cheap and easy to organise wherever you are. Charades is a popular one and allow coworkers to get silly and do something they probably associate with their childhood.

Where to do it: All you need is a table and chairs

The importance of team building is something that can by overlooked by many businesses but the positive affects are enormous. Above all else, a good working environment makes the team happy being around each other.

Top 5 Places for an Adventure Tour in Australia

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Australia is a land of discovery that makes travellers come back for more. Visitors can enjoy the great outback, historic native communities, spectacular coastal waters and modern city skylines. As such a place of wonder, finding just 5 places for an adventure tour is a difficult task, but this list delves into the hidden gems of the magical land they call Oz.

5. Hancock Gorge

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This adventure is sometimes called the Journey to the Centre of the Earth and is a wondrous adventure set in Western Australia that makes you realise the true age of the country. Hancock Gorge twists and turns though the hills of Pilbara until dramatically plunging into darkness as you descend back in time. A ladder drop awaits you as you travel down the canyon creek where a narrow opening takes you to a pass you must swim through to arrive at a stunning pebble beach.

It takes just an hour to reach the heart of the gorge, and you are met by a magical emerald coloured rock pool displaying an incredible 2.5 billion year old rock formation for a truly unforgettable experience.

4. Snowy Mountains

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Set in New South Wales, the snowy mountains are a sight to behold. On the very top of Australia lies these stunning peaks that lead to the 2228 metre Mount Kosciuszko which has an almost mystical aura around sunset. The flora and fauna of this area is incredible in its diversity, which includes snow gums, snowdrifts, wildflower meadows and ancient trails.

Adventure trips include camping and chef prepared meals for the end of your long hike in this incredible part of the world, bringing a weary traveller back down to earth for the next adventure.

3. Enter the Cage of Death

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This NSW adventure tour takes you out of your comfort zone and places you in the sights of some of the most deadly crocs in the world. In Darwin you get the chance to dive into the waters with a salt water crocodile safe within the confines of an underwater cage.

This transparent acrylic cage goes one step further than the typical underwater shark sighting tours by bringing your fear levels up to maximum. Because the cage is transparent, expect to forget the sensation of feeling safe as the mighty salt water crocs come nose to nose with you. You’ll never come closer to feeling like a tea bag.

2. Uluru Adventure tours

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Being one of the most recognisable natural monuments on the planet, Uluru is at the very heart of the Red Centre just an adventure away from Alice Springs. Featuring a historic tour of the local area including an Aussie bed roll under the stars, a cultural walk around the base of the rock itself, as well as the chance to enjoy a glass of wine, you’ll be creating unforgettable memories. Take a beautiful hike around Kings Canyon and enjoy the sights and sounds of Kata Tjuta.

The trip leaves from Alice Springs, so why not stay a day or two and visit the local sites to get a feel for this stunning area. There is plenty of bars, restaurants and cultural sites to enjoy, including Earth Sanctuary, you’re sure to fall in love with the beautiful country of Australia.

1. Top End Explorer tour

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This magical tour of the top end takes in 5 feature packed days to appease even the most adventurous of explorers. Featuring 4WD adventures around historic cultural aboriginal sites, visiting Gunlom Falls for an unforgettable experience, as well as taking in a little croc-spotting on a wildlife boat trip.
The outstanding Jim Jim Falls in Kakadu National Park are the highlight of this adventure tour and offer you the chance to create unforgettable experiences sleeping under the stars in the top end heading out and finishing in Darwin over five days and four nights.