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The 'heart of Australia' encompasses a breadth of lands that is immense in size
and ancient in origins. Occupying about one sixth of Australia's total land
mass, it's boundaries hold some of Australia's most unique and significant
icons, being home to a variety of contrasting landscapes of deserts, saltpans,
ephemeral rivers, permanent waterholes, grasslands, shrublands and forests, sand
dunes and mountain ranges, that offer a unique experiences for visitors to the
region. Such a vast and varied landscape means it is also home to a great
range of flora and fauna, much of which is unique to the area. There are of
course many non-indigenous wildlife and plants that have established themselves
in the region, some which are considered vermin and noxious weeds, but have
permanently established themselves.
When travelling through Central Australia, you pass through land that is
traditionally associated with different Aboriginal language groups. As the
original custodians of Central Australia, they have a unique relationship with
the land, that is communicated through their art and Dreamtime stories, weaving
a connection between spirit and country. Their close relationship extends in to
their intimate knowledge of the flora and fauna, providing food, medicine and
the essentials.
Centred on the Alice Springs and MacDonnell tourism regions, the vast Central
Australia region describes an area that stretches north to encompass both the
Barkly region, across the border into Queensland, South Australia and Western
Australia. Sometimes referred to as the 'red centre', this immense semi-arid
region is full of life and has many attractions. With it's rich Aboriginal
culture and the more modern European history, the region encapsulates the true
Australian outback spirit. |
