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.

The Best Time To Visit Alice Springs

Alice Springs is one of the famous tourist spots to visit in the Northern Territory. It is the 3rd largest town in the Northern Territory and it is the centre of Aboriginal art and culture. The town known as Mparntwe to its original inhabitants, the Arrente, is well known for adventure tours and sight seeing for tourists. The weather there tends to be a bit extreme which can spoil your vacation, however with a bit of research and planning you can enjoy your Alice Springs tour.

December, January and February are the hottest 3 months in Alice Springs. During these 3 months average temperatures rise up to 35°C. Usually in the summer months it also rains and when it does, it pours like cats and dogs. From June to August is winter time in Alice Springs and in this period average temperature is around 5°C. In the winter months the climate is very dry so it is also the most dusty time of the year. At night the weather gets more colder so it is recommended to wear special warm clothes.

If you plan on visiting in hot weather then go between October to March. In these months there are few tourists so you can travel easily. From April to September there is a huge crowd of tourists in Alice Springs since the weather is cooler. However, if you want few tourists and nice weather then April or September is a good time of the year. In this period the average temperature is around 28°C. At night the temperature falls but it is not freezing cold. It is also the time of the year when there is less dust in the atmosphere.

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The Top 5 Best Stargazing Spots in Northern Territory, Australia

If like many people you look up to the heavens in wonder at the universe, you will know that getting out of the city and into the outback is the best way to see clear skies filled with dazzling stars. Light pollution is a big factor in determining the quality of stargazing you will find, and with so many cities lit up at night around the world, there are few places that are far away enough from those cities to give you breath-taking views.

The Northern Territory in Australia is one of the very few places on earth that is close enough to civilization where unbridled stargazing is possible without a hint of light pollution to spoil your views. Crystal clear skies allow you to see all of the famous constellations, as well as some of the best views of the Milky Way you can find on Earth.

1. Alice Springs

Alice Springs is the ideal location to go camping in the outback and spend your evening under the dazzling night’s sky. You don’t have to go very far out of the main city to get the best spots, but with plenty of camping sites and specialist stargazing locations such as the Earth Sanctuary just North East of Alice Springs airport, you can gaze in style with the family.

2. Uluru

This famous natural monument is a beautiful backdrop for your adventure into the outback, and what better way to stage the biggest show on Earth than this historical aboriginal site. Located way out into the outback, Uluru features pitch darkness due to zero amounts of light pollution in the area, making it again one of the best stargazing spots in the world to see the night’s sky.

3. Tiwi Islands

These islands are a great way to get away from the mainland and away from all of the light pollution to watch an unfettered view of all the stars in the sky. Featuring many great stargazing points across a large area, the Tiwi Islands are a mecca for stargazers from around the world and it is easy to find a tour guide and star map within reach of the main tourist attractions. Watching the night’s sky from a coastal view can put a great perspective of the backdrop, making it a great spot for photographers!

4. East Point

This location is one for those looking to get a glimpse of the Milky Way that isn’t too far from your creature comforts. Stepping just minutes’ drive out of the main city limits you will find thrilling views of the stars and beyond from the perspective of the Timor Sea. Witnessing the galaxy up above and an endless horizon on the water makes for an unforgettable view that will stay with you for a lifetime.

5. The Red Centre 

The Northern Territory or the Red Centre is simply the best place to go stargazing in Australia. Featuring miles upon miles of endless red sand, it would be hard to find a better camping and outback adventure anywhere else. With hundreds of tours of the outback, sightseeing adventures and outback walks to go on, pitching your tent under the setting sun to reveal a simply stunning galaxy above your heads will be sealed in your memory for years to come.

Simply put, if you are a big stargazing fan, love astronomy and would love to see clear skies at night, the Northern Territory has it all. Add to this the tours and guides on hand to help you take photographs of the Milky Way, get a bite to eat and enjoy a fine drink, the Northern Territory must surely be on your to-do list for your next holiday adventure!

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The True Essence of Ecotourism and Sustainable Tourism

There is now a strong push for sustainable tourism practices, with many people wishing to reconnect with nature and enjoy a more pristine holiday environment while having minimal impact on their destination’s ecological balance. With globalisation and the rapid expansion of commerce and business these kind of destinations are becoming more and more rare.

In order to preserve and even rejuvenate the small amount of untouched natural attractions we have in the world, it is important to shift attitudes and tourism techniques to find a way to restore the ecological balance so we may enjoy the true beauty of those natural landscapes without severely impacting the areas we visit.

What is Ecotourism? 

Ecotourism is in essence the best way to travel and stay in those natural places with remarkable landscapes while conserving the environment around you. Ecotourism takes into account the natural features of your destination and strives to preserve them.

The nurturing and respect of the local people, customs and way of life is also important in Ecotourism, with the aim of visiting without damaging the environment reigning supreme.

This kind of tourism also has a strong theme of education and raising awareness of our impact on the world around us, with guests often being able to come away with a better understanding of the impact they have on the places they visit.

What is Sustainable Tourism?

Like Ecotourism, sustainable tourism has the same common base, however the kind of tourism this term covers is much broader than Ecotourism. Sustainable tourism can cover Ecotourism initiatives but also recognises the need for some development in order to sustain the environment for future generations.

 

Energy discussions around the Earth Sanctuary Solar array!

Sustainable tourism encourages the idea of dedicating resources to develop the tourism sector in the destination which would lead to sustainable development and conservation of environment. Recognising the fact that not all visitors will be satisfied with bird watching and bush walking, sustainable tourism may include somewhat more damaging activities done in the least damaging manner.

Whether a destination has an Ecotourism or sustainable tourism aim, the prime goal of both is to safeguard and protect the environment from the most devastating effects of industrialisation of the tourism sectors. More emphasis is placed on preservation and less emphasis is placed on making money.

Both Ecotourism and sustainable tourism operate on a set of important principles.

• To eradicate destruction, deprivation and illegitimate usage of resources.
• To protect the local people, their wellbeing and way of life.
• Create awareness around safeguarding the environment and culture.
• Build mutual respect between the hosts and the guests.
• Help to provide incremental and financial benefits for conservation purpose.
• Generate financial benefits for both local people and private industry.
• Deliver memorable experiences to visitors while raising sensitivity to the area’s political, environmental, and social climates.
• Low-impact facilities to be constructed and developed for operation.
• Create partnership with the indigenous people in the community and aid in empowerment.
• Give recognition to the rights and beliefs of the indigenous people.

Travelling in a mindful way requires a shift in attitude for many people, requiring us to realise that we did not inherit this mother Earth from our predecessors, we are just borrowing it from our successors who will have to deal with what we leave behind. We are only here for a short amount of time and enjoying all the beautiful places in the world is one of life’s great joys, so it is important to preserve our environment for future generations.

Fine Dining Outback Restaurant in Alice Springs - The Quandong Homestead

At the heart of the Alice Springs Earth Sanctuary, located in an expansive 100% carbon neutral environment is the Quandong Homestead - a beautifully crafted and meticulously designed restaurant that serves some of the finest foods in this part of the world. Inspired by the nature that lives around it, and the traditional culture and cuisine of the land, the restaurant is the true jewel of the Earth Sanctuary experience.

The restaurant features local produce that has been specifically selected to inspire your palettes, and allow you to enjoy the finest ingredients, seasonal produce and a number of locations to enjoy your meal.

The restaurant features the Star Bar which is home to an unparalleled vista of the night’s sky to take in while you enjoy a drink of your choice, as well as featuring a hand-picked and curated wine list to perfectly compliment your meal.

The real taste of the outback

Designed to give you a real taste of the outback, the restaurant has a number of speciality items such as the platter dish that includes a number of cheese selections, bruschetta and dips, olives feta stuffed mini peppers as well as mettwurst to name a few of the starters.

The main meal courses feature a delicious buffet BBQ of scotch fillet steaks, tenderloin chicken topped with mustard sauce, gourmet bratwurst sausages, along with golden baked potatoes and seasonal veggies. A summer menu features traditional garden salad with avocado, coleslaw or pesto pasta salad, whilst the winter menu features steamed peas and carrots as a side.

Feast your senses on the lunch menu

The lunch menu at this stunning Alice Springs restaurant features a number of delights to tickle your taste buds. Featuring traditional Billy Tea, scones, Quandong Jam and cream you will be able to get a real sense of the Earth Sanctuary lifestyle with a true taste of the outback.

You will have a chance to taste some of the more traditional outback foods from the region such as the desert Emu, Kangaroo, Crocodile and native Milet Dips, as well as the home-made Quandong Jam to delight.

The outback restaurant also features a range of breads and dips, as well as a rolled sandwich buffet to treat any hungry explorer with a taste for the wild side.

Delicious desserts to delight

When it comes to desserts, the Quandong Homestead Restaurant features a mouth-watering speciality that is sure to please any outback diner. With the sticky date pudding with cream combined with a strawberry and caramel sauce, you will be able to end your evening tour with a delightful finish.

Special dietary options are available on request for any diner, as the restaurant strives to entertain and delight every guest who walks through the doors.

An evening under the stars

The star bar is where your night’s entertainment will draw to an end with an unforgettable vista of the stars and the Milky Way as a setting for your entertainment. With soft drinks starting at $3 and a range of light beers at $5 and premium beers at $8, you will be able to unwind and relax from your day in style.

A glass of wine starts at just $8 and with standard wine bottles at $27 and a premium bottle for just $35, spirits are $8 per basic measure.

The Quandong Homestead Restaurant has all of the ideal qualities to make a fantastic day trip exploring the outback, with the sustainable living educational exhibitions and the tastes of the local region in a single, carbon free environment. The delicious menu for any time of the day that uses seasonal ingredients and local produce where possible means you can treat yourself to an authentic taste of the outback, and spend an evening under the stars with a tasty drink to match!

The Importance of Sustainable Education

Sustainability education is a subject of great importance for every single country around the world, not only for the vital roles in which education plays a part in the growth of an individual up to an entire nation, but because these two topics are inexorably linked together at the heart of growth, development and sustainability as a whole.

In a world where climate change is already having dramatic effects on large proportions of the country and many other countries abroad, the chance to educate everyone on the importance of sustainability and the concepts that it brings up is of great importance for future generations, as well as successive governments.

Making the change for sustainable living

Sustainability is a difficult subject for many people to understand, and many may find it easy to ignore as it requires an active role to make a change. But when these changes are for the benefit of everyone, more needs to be done to inform and empower individuals to stand up and be counted when it comes time to make the right change for the right reasons.

Many consider sustainability to be a form of living where you can sustain yourself through the land you work on which gives you the food that you eat, in turn giving you the energy to work on the land and complete the cycle. However you don’t have to take an all or nothing approach to sustainability, even the smallest changes can make a big difference.

Business and industry is slowly turning to sustainability models

There are many things both individuals and businesses can do to improve sustainability and to adopt a few simple changes to their lives, their food choices and their choice of transport that can help have dramatic effects on the planet in many beneficial ways.

Cutting down on the use of toxic chemicals, recycling and proper waste management, as well as number of other industrial changes can be made to alter the state of the landfill sites and heavy waste industries for good.

Commercially, supermarkets and food manufacturers are slowly turning to eco-friendly packaging and even package-free produce to help the sustainability of their own industry, as those who are educated in sustainability know that being wasteful can harm your own business.

Many individuals now use recycling across the country and it has had an effect on the amount of landfill used to dispose of waste. Cutting down on energy consumption and the use of fossil fuels also has made changes in the way we look at carbon and see carbon footprints.

Education is the key to sustainability success

There are many more ways we need to change how people think when it comes to sustainability in education, and the way that it is taught in schools and business. One of the more community minded projects is the Alice Springs Earth Sanctuary which aims to educate the local community and the nation as a whole, through community projects, outreach programs with a culturally sensitive agenda.

For a truly sustainable world, we need a sustainable effort to make the change. In the limited time we have, taking care of our future generations is the only way in which we can instil the sense of sustainability and start the ball rolling when it comes to education the next generation of recyclers, inventors and eco-friendly people to help sustain this planet we live on.

Outdoor Wedding Tips - Turn Your Big Day Into A Successful One!

Your big day is coming up and you still do not know how and what to do to make it the best one? Want to make it outdoor and yet confused about the issues to deal with? Here are some segments to put light upon for turning your outdoor wedding into a successful one.

Of course it has to be the best one since it is the biggest day of your life!

 

Outdoor wedding venues

Yes, the very first and foremost issue to think about is outdoor wedding venues. It’s your wedding and definitely you would want it to be elegant. So choose the best outdoor wedding venue according to your convenience as the venue plays the leading role when it’s outdoor!

 

Weather

It’s outdoor so you need to be very much confident with the season while fixing the date of the event. Obviously, you would not want your guests to feel uncomfortable on your big day. Therefore, you need to choose a day with a very moderate weather — not too hot or not too cold — for making it a comfortable one.

 

Alternative plan

When it’s outdoor then certainly you need to have a substitute plan for backing you up if anything goes beyond your original strategy. Nothing can be predicted and not everything goes according to the plan always so better to have a back-up plan to overcome any crisis faced. That is how you can save your big day.

 

Theme

Not only weddings but every event of these days have their very own and unique theme. Give your big day the best theme that will not disregard the natural beauty of the outdoor venue but rather would add glitters to it. Try something that will give your event a completely different look with the combination of bright colours —flowers or lanterns — and nature itself.

 

Arrangements

The seating arrangements should be in such a way so that your guests do not miss any detail of your wedding and the sun should not be on their eyes. Take preparations to keep the bugs away and provide a bite-free environment for your companions. The food selection should be very considerate since it’s outdoor so try not to get them spoiled. Give your guests the best essence of your special day.

 

Attire

Unquestionably your dress would be the centre of attraction on that day but make sure that you choose the right fabric. As it is an outdoor wedding so you have to keep the idea of the weather before selecting your wedding dress. Try to get something simple but of course elegant.

Make sure to give your guests a brief idea about the style you would be preferring — formal or semi-formal or casual — so even they can find it easy to choose their outfits.

 

Hairdo

Of course you would want to get the best hairstyle for your wedding but do remember to mention your stylist about the event taking place at outdoor venues so that you can be given the perfect look cause nobody wants to end up with a clumsy hairdo.

 

Makeup

Your makeup should be a modest one as the heavy makeup might get ruined due to the humid in the weather. Obviously, you want to look beautiful but keeping it simple will help you to maintain your attractiveness for longer.

It’s your wedding — the greatest day of your life. Make it special without any compromises. Let these simple tips help you to guide towards a successful outdoor wedding ceremony.

Experience the Outback - Things to do in Alice Springs

Alice Springs and its surrounds is a truly unique place that everyone needs to visit at least once in their lifetime. There are so many things to do in the township and the beautiful area that encompasses it, it is hard to know where to start. Here are a couple of the best things to see and do when you are visiting this amazing town.

Camel Cup, Alice Springs. Image: Wikipedia

Local Events

Alice Springs plays host to some truly individual events every year, like the annual Camel Cup. The annual camel racing festival usually takes place at Blatherskite Park and is organised by Alice Springs Lions Club, it’s a great day out for the whole family and includes stalls and food as well as the races themselves. Another interesting event is the Henley-on-Todd Regatta - an annual boat race which does not feature any water. Every spring the town holds a mock regatta where you can enjoy local food and drinks while watching local teams run very creatively constructed boats down a dry river bed.

Art

Explore the rich, complicated history of the area by visiting the galleries of Alice Springs. The Araluen Arts Centre is the base of the towns performing and visual arts scene where both native Aboriginal art and European colonial art can be seen. Alice Springs also has many galleries where you can purchase beautiful creations by local artists.

Markets, Alice Springs. Image: www.travelnt.com

Street Markets

Sundays are market days in Alice Springs - with a day-long market held along Todd Mall. From February to December you can find arts and crafts and local produce to buy while taking in the sights and sounds of the town. Night markets also run between August and November where you can find clothes, souvenirs, indigenous art and multicultural food.

Wildlife

Alice Springs has some of the most incredible wildlife in the world, with many species completely unique to the area. Alice Springs Desert Park gives you a chance to experience some of the amazing diversity with over 180 species of birds to spot in their natural habitat. Alice Springs Reptile Centre gives you the chance to look at some of our mysterious and dangerous snakes and lizards and see some of the shyer native reptiles this beautiful region plays host to.

Earth Sanctuary

Earth Sanctuary

Visit Australia’s first 100% carbon neutral venue in the outback of Australia - Earth Sanctuary has been running eco-tourism tours for 15 years, educating it’s visitors on the importance of sustainability and being kind to the earth. Earth Sanctuary runs one-of-a-kind tours for those interested in learning about sustainability, local culture and the incredible desert night sky. With astronomy tours, school programs and special dinner and bush tucker lunch tours, Earth Sanctuary shouldn’t be missed.

The natural beauty of Alice Springs and the desert that surrounds it is undeniable, its stunning landscapes and history make it a wonderful destination to experience and explore. Whether you are visiting for adventure, culture or education, you are sure to find what you’re looking for.