East of Alice
Trip Start
Jul 27, 2009
1
17
48
Trip End
Nov 07, 2009
Arltunga and Trephina Gorge, Northern Territory, Australia
Friday, August 21, 2009
On our first side trip from Alice we headed east for the day: to Arltunga (a corruption for the local language for 'stinky water' a reference to a slime filled pond which was the only local water source) to see a real live ghost town. Arltunga was central Australia's first real town, established shortly after gold was discovered in a dry creekbed in 1887. We enjoyed exploring the old mine workings, but the intense heat discouraged any detailed exploration of the above-ground structures. We found the town's history fascinating; the determination of the early miners to try and make a living in such inhospitable surroundings seemed extraordinary.
The kids had one last go at seeing if they could make the mine pay, but soon gave it up as a bad job, like those who struggled before them with little water and paying exorbitant prices for poor food.
A short stop and a stroll in beautiful Trephina Gorge rounded off the day.
