Simpson’s Gap

After breakfast at the hotel, we were off and running to our first destination of the day, Simpson’s Gap. Simpson's Gap—a stunning permanent watering hole cradled by towering cliffs, is an iconic view of Alice Springs. We would confirm that later in the day with a visit to a human version of watering hole, a microbrewery that uses the image on its logo. As we traveled, our bus driver, a local naturalist with the spirit of a modern-day Crocodile Dundee, eagerly pointed out the diverse wildlife that thrived in the area.

Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS)

From Simpson’s Gap we headed to the Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS). You really need to appreciate the vastness of the country, and particularly how most of the interior is an ecological challenge. This group really demonstrates that, as well as the ability of the individual Australians to solve problems. That was a frequent message of our local Tour Guide representative from the Outback. It was an eye-opening experience to learn how this remarkable organization leverages aircraft and cutting-edge technology to deliver vital medical services across the vast expanses of central Australia. Founded in 1928, RFDS has grown to become one of the largest and most comprehensive aeromedical organizations worldwide, covering nearly 3 million square miles (7.3 million square kilometers). Watching their short film showing some guy getting shocked back to life multiple times in the space of a small airplane was hard to watch. When the nurse yells “clear” there’s no place to go. And the runways for landing and take off are just a field where hopefully the undergrowth is low enough.

School of the Air

We moved on to the Alice Springs School of the Air (ASSOA); a remarkable institution that has helped bridge the educational gap for students living in the isolated stretches of the Outback since its inception in 1951. In a land where most people are concentrated near the coast, those in the rural interior often face significant challenges accessing quality education. ASSOA began as a pioneering radio network, enabling two-way teaching and learning via broadcasts. Today, the advancements in technology and the internet have transformed this model, providing even greater opportunities for students in these remote areas. Long before COVID forces Americans to remote learning, the Australian Outback had perfected an approach.

Return to the Red Center

We returned to the Red Center for lunch, and a tour of their sanctuary, introducing us to an array of unique animals. Each creature seemed to have its own personality, from the playful kangaroos hopping around to the majestic emus strutting proudly. We appreciated a glimpse into the remarkable ecosystem of the region through these animals. At one location the you could hear the finch asking the other finch (on the outside of the enclosure) how did you get out there?

Alice Springs Brewery
With our full day completed, we just happened to pass the Alice Springs Brewery on our way back to the hotel. We were like kids driving by a carnival. Can we go, can we go, can we??? Excitement bubbled as we asked our driver, Crocodile Dundee, and our local coordinator if we could make a stop. Crocodile Dundee was all in, ready to take anyone who wanted to enjoy a cold brew. Our local coordinator wasn’t thrilled about the detour, but a chorus of smiling faces chimed in with eager "I want to go!" Our driver quickly cleared it with his boss, and after dropping off those who preferred to head straight to the hotel, we set off to the brewery, ready to toast to our adventures in the heart of the Australian Outback.

BBQ with Local Music Artist

Road Scholar really shows you a unique experience; dinner and a show Australian style. They booked the meeting room of the cafe at the sanctuary we had visited earlier in the day for a BBQ dinner. A local musician serenaded us with heartwarming ballads and captivating stories from the Australian bush. We all got into the mood, and joined along with the chorus of several songs. Then, one of our group had a song that was taught to her children, that we all stood up and sang. Think “Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes” where there are hand motions to go along with the words fit for execution by 1 - 5 year olds, but an Australian version, and you get the feel of what it was like. It just showed that we were with a great group, thoroughly enjoying the moment. We felt deeply connected to the essence of Australia, making this evening an unforgettable part of our journey.