Why Alice Springs? Read on... The Red Centre is a beautiful place, and I hope that when you visit here you can see it how I do, as the centrepiece of our wonderful country. by Mick Gallagher

When I tell people that I live in Alice Springs and I originally came from Sydney, I am always asked, what brought you here? The response is always the same.

I first came to ‘The Alice’ in 2004. I was working in Sydney and my team had a conference in Alice Springs. I was in the Alice for 2 nights. It was November from memory and it was a warm day – however, the minute I stepped off the plane at Alice Springs Airport, I knew that one day I would move here. There was just something in the air about the place.

After my two nights in Alice Springs at conference, I flew back to Sydney – however the memories of Anzac Hill and the West MacDonnell Ranges were calling me to return.

Just on one year later I returned to Alice Springs, this time for a week to explore. I travelled to Glen Helen via the West MacDonnells, and the colours of the outback landscapes were just amazing. The colours of the Ranges in the early morning light in July were simply astonishing. It was just like looking at one of Albert Namajiras paintings, but this time it wasn’t on a canvas, it was real – and I was immersed in it!

The next day, I drove to Kings Canyon. Before I visited the Territory, I thought I was a good driver. I could drive from Sydney to Melbourne in about 12 hours, so I was used to long stints behind the wheel of my ute. However, the drive from Alice Springs to Kings Canyon was another thing all together.

Don’t let anyone tell you it’s not a long drive. It’s only five hours, but it seems a lot longer. More so for the fact that it is so remote and the roads are only one lane each way. Since moving here, I have driven the road countless times and I am getting used to it, however, if you haven’t driven in outback locations before then I suggest you consider one of the guided coach trips that do the journey.

When I returned to Sydney from this trip, the spark ignited the fire and it became all systems go to move to Alice Springs.

My dreams became a reality 8 months later, when my fiancée and I packed up and headed out of Sydney – all our belongings packed into the back of my ute.

We arrived in Alice Springs 7 days later, taking it easy combining the move with an outback holiday, and have now settled into the life in the Red Centre.

It’s a beautiful place, and I hope that when you visit here you can see it how I do, as the centrepiece of our wonderful country.

Mick Gallagher | Holiday Consultant