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Olympics of love: 7 wedding proposals and counting!

<p>Paris truly is the city of love, with a growing list of athletes proposing to during the Olympics. </p> <p>The latest athlete to get down on one knee is French runner Alice Finot, making her the seventh Games athlete to tie the knot. </p> <p>Finot's proposal has gone viral for her break in stereotypes, after she decided to propose to her boyfriend after her action-packed 3000m steeplechase race. </p> <p>After the women's final, she ran towards the stand searching for her partner, kneeled down and proposed by offering him an Olympic pin, which reads "Love is in the air in Paris", which she had held during the race.</p> <p>As she handed it to her boyfriend, Spanish triathlete Bruno Martínez Bargiela, the couple broke into a long and passionate hug that moved her now-fiancé to tears.</p> <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/reel/C-YDFyCxu_i/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/C-YDFyCxu_i/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by TRACK NEWS TODAY (@tracknewstoday)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>The proposal happened after Finot had just broken the European record in the discipline, missing out on the bronze medal just by a margin of a few seconds.</p> <p>It was Argentina that launched the trend of athletes getting proposed in the City of Love, as men's handball player Pablo Simonet proposed to field hockey team member Maria Campoy during a photo opportunity just one day after the opening ceremony.</p> <p>On Friday, French skiff sailing partners Sarah Steyaert and Charline Picon were both proposed to after scooping a bronze, just one day before badminton player Liu Yu Chen proposed to her girlfriend Huang Ya Qiong after she'd won a gold medal.</p> <p>The US Team have also been loved up while in Paris, as rowing athlete Justin Best got engaged to former Irish dancer Lainey Duncan on Monday, a day after shot putter Payton Otterdahl <a href="https://oversixty.com.au/lifestyle/relationships/olympian-proposes-in-the-city-of-love" target="_blank" rel="noopener">proposed</a> to his girlfriend, Maddy Nilles, in front of the Eiffel Tower.</p> <p><em>Image credits: Nine News </em></p>

Relationships

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Alice Springs plunged into curfew after wave of violence

<p>The city of Alice Springs has been plunged into a three-night curfew after a wave of violence that saw four police officers allegedly attacked. </p> <p>Northern Territory Police Commissioner Michael Murphy declared the curfew on Monday, which will prevent people of all ages going into the city centre between 10pm and 6am over the next three nights without good reason.</p> <p>"Some of those reasons are if you're fleeing from domestic violence, if you're visiting family, if you have to care for someone, if you're here for employment purposes, if you go into a fast food restaurant or some lawful purpose," Murphy said.</p> <p>He said the curfew area would cover "Anzac Hill, Schwarz Crescent, down to the hospital, from the Stuart Highway across to Leichhardt and Stott Terrace".</p> <p>The curfew is a result of a crime-ridden weekend, where several incidents of violent crime allegedly took place. </p> <p>In the early hours of Sunday morning, a group of four off-duty police officers were allegedly assaulted by a group of 20 young men, while another officer was allegedly run over by a drunk driver outside a bottle shop.</p> <p>"The offending in Alice Springs over the last few days has been unacceptable," NT Chief Minister Eva Lawler said.</p> <p>"The curfew will provide police extra powers to get on top of the situation on the ground in Alice Springs."</p> <p>Commissioner Murphy said he will consider requesting an extension of the curfew if required.</p> <p>"If there is a continuation of harmful conduct, which I hope there is not, we apply some measures now and use the community to help us we should see a turnaround," he said.</p> <p>Lawler said she believed the curfew would be an effective "circuit breaker", but Swinburne University criminology expert Dr Joel McGregor said longer-term measures were required for broader change in the region.</p> <p>"To address any crime problem, interventions that lead to long-term behaviour change are required," he said.</p> <div>"While the Northern Territory curfew may be stopping crimes being perpetuated during the evening, it should not be thought of as a solution to the problems the state is facing."</p> <p><em>Image credits: Shutterstock</em></p> </div>

Legal

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Top End tourism surge after massive search for fake Aussie town

<p>In an absolute boon to Top End tourism, it appears that Google users have been working overtime trying to locate a little slice of Northern Territory paradise known as Agnes Bluff and its nearby neighbour Mia Tukurta National Park. Why, you ask? Because they're convinced it's the next hidden holiday hotspot. But here's the catch: it's completely made up.</p> <p>This newfound obsession with Agnes Bluff and Mia Tukurta National Park is all thanks to Amazon Prime's latest hit series, <em>The Lost Flowers Of Alice Hart</em>. People have been binge-watching the show and drooling over the stunning landscapes, causing Google searches for these places to shoot up like a rocket on a sugar rush. </p> <p>According to <a href="https://www.news.com.au/travel/australian-holidays/northern-territory/google-searches-surge-for-agnes-bluff-an-aussie-town-that-doesnt-exist/news-story/59f00cc1e89074de0e6464c0072ae4b8" target="_blank" rel="noopener">news.com.au</a>, Google searches for Agnes Bluff skyrocketed by a whopping 1640 per cent between July and August in Australia, and then another 40 per cent in September, all thanks to the series. And it's not just our fellow Aussies on the hunt for these mystical places – folks from Spain, Canada, the UK, the United States and Italy are also joining the imaginary treasure hunt.</p> <p>Can we blame them for trying to uncover these hidden gems? After all, in the show, Agnes Bluff and Mia Tukurta National Park look so darn spectacular that even the Loch Ness Monster might want to visit. But chin up, dear travellers! While you can't exactly book a one-way ticket to Fantasyland, you can still visit the real-life locations that inspired the series.</p> <p>This show was born from the creative genius of Aussie author Holly Ringland, who drew inspiration from her time living on Anangu land in Australia's Western Desert. In her news.com.au interview, she said, "To know people are Googling these places I fictionalised feels like a shot of joy straight to my heart – I don't know that there could be a greater compliment given to my writing." </p> <p>So, where was the series actually filmed? Well, it turns out they filmed all over Central Australia, including places like the Alice Springs Desert Park, Simpsons Gap, Ooraminna Station, Standley Chasm and Ormiston Gorge – just to name a few.</p> <p>And that crater that had everyone drooling? It's called Tnorala, or Gosses Bluff, and it's a mere 175km from Alice Springs.</p> <p>In fact, search interest in Gosses Bluff crater has hit a 15-year high in Australia, increasing by a whopping 500 per cent in August alone – so, it seems like people are genuinely eager to find their own piece of Alice Hart's world.</p> <p>Now, if you're wondering about the burning question that's on everyone's minds, it's this: "What is the crater in <em>The Lost Flowers for Alice Hart</em>?" And let me tell you, Gosses Bluff, or Tnorala, is the crater-du-jour.</p> <p>But here's the best part – this place is absolutely real; it's not a mirage or a figment of some writer's imagination. You can actually go there, touch it (not the crater itself, though), and breathe in the stunning views. Sure, you can't frolic inside the crater, but there are viewing points that will have you oohing and aahing like a kid in a candy store.</p> <p>And so, while Agnes Bluff and Mia Tukurta National Park might be the stuff of dreams, Gosses Bluff is the real deal. So it could be  ime to pack your bags, grab your camera and get ready for an adventure that's so real, it'll make your Google searches feel like a distant dream. </p> <p><em>Images: Prime Video</em></p>

Domestic Travel

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Little House on the Prairie star passes away

<p>Hersha Parady, renowned for her role in <em>Little House on the Prairie</em>, has passed away at the age of 78.</p> <p>According to a statement provided to <em>The Hollywood Reporter </em>by her son, Jonathan Peverall, Parady passed away at her residence in Norfolk, Virginia on Wednesday August 23. Her son had been actively seeking financial assistance before her demise, as Parady had been diagnosed with meningioma, a prevalent type of brain tumour.</p> <p>Peverall initiated a <a href="https://www.gofundme.com/f/helping-hersha" target="_blank" rel="noopener">GoFundMe campaign</a> with the intention of aiding his mother's escalating medical expenses. In a heartfelt plea on the fundraising page, he recounted how the illness had depleted her vitality, memory and vibrant demeanour, rendering her predominantly bedridden and struggling with day-to-day tasks.</p> <p>Relocating his mother to his own home, Peverall worked diligently to ensure she received the necessary medical attention. He emphasised that the associated costs extended beyond medical procedures, encompassing aspects such as moving expenditures, at-home nursing care and medical equipment.</p> <p>"While we contemplate a surgery to potentially ameliorate her condition, the path to recovery is an arduous one," he stated, acknowledging the substantial financial burden posed by these circumstances. Balancing a full-time job and caring for his three children added to the challenge, yet he reassured that they were providing the best care they could, regardless of external contributions.</p> <p>"Rest assured, we are taking care of her to the best of our ability, and we will continue to do so, regardless of any contributions made here," Peverall wrote. "This GoFundMe is about improving my Mom’s quality of life and giving her the support she needs during this difficult time. It's also about showing her that she is not alone in her fight.</p> <p>"Her family and friends have been here supporting her through everything, but there is only so much help she is willing to accept from the people she loves. My Mom has always been a fiercely independent woman, and asking for help isn't in her nature. That's why I'm stepping in to do it on her behalf."</p> <p>Peverall expressed his gratitude and urged supporters to rally around Parady, demonstrating that her on-screen "Little House" family was united in this battle, just as she had been a presence in their lives through the show.</p> <p>In an update dated August 1, Peverall shared that his mother had undergone a "successful" surgery. However, complications arose as Parady developed pneumonia during her recovery, leading to her admission to the intensive care unit. Unfortunately, her condition deteriorated to a point where she couldn't regain full consciousness. The medical team at the hospital launched an investigation into her condition.</p> <p>Peverall maintained ongoing communication with the medical professionals, seeking insights to guide the best decisions for her care. Despite the trying circumstances, he expressed hope and called upon others to remain optimistic.</p> <p>Parady embarked on her career in theater after graduating from Berea High School in 1963. Her journey took her to Los Angeles, where she secured a role opposite Jon Voight in a production of <em>A Streetcar Named Desire</em>. Subsequently, she transitioned to the silver screen, featuring in an episode of <em>Bearcats!</em>.</p> <p>However, it was in 1977 that Parady achieved widespread recognition for her portrayal of school teacher Alice Garvey in the fourth season of <em>Little House on the Prairie</em>. Appearing in 35 more episodes, her character, Alice, met a tragic end in season six, perishing in a fire. The actress also appeared in other shows including <em>Kenan & Kel</em>, <em>The Phoenix</em>, and <em>The Quest</em>, and movies like <em>The Break</em> and <em>The Babysitter's Seduction</em>.</p> <p>Parady is survived by her son Jonathan Peverall and her three grandchildren.</p> <p><em>Images: GoFundMe / Instagram</em></p>

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Classics Direct is bringing classical music back to life!

<p>Are you passionate about music? Looking for an easy way to update your classical collection, replace some of those old scratched-up records, or even find a new favourite you never knew existed? Classics Direct can help your music collection soar to new heights and get a discount on your first purchase simply by <a href="https://classicsdirect.com.au/pages/newsletter?utm_source=over-sixty&utm_medium=native-article" target="_blank" rel="noopener">signing up to the Classics Direct mailing list!</a></p> <p>Offering an expertly curated selection from the world’s most prominent classical music labels including Deutsche Grammophon, Decca Records, Blue Note, Verve, ECM, Eloquence and many more, Classics Direct is your one-stop shop for everything classical.</p> <p>Whether you’re in the market for classic Christmas collections to add that extra touch of charm to the up-coming festive season, or perhaps you want to splash out on a box set for yourself (or that special someone in your life), Classics Direct can bring the joy of music direct to you.</p> <p><strong>Christmas Albums</strong><br />Christmas is a time for gathering with loved ones, reflecting on the year gone by, giving thanks for all the special elements of your life and taking time to relax and rejoice. What could be a more fitting accompaniment for a perfect Christmas than a stunning variety of classical music to score those moments?</p> <p><a href="https://classicsdirect.com.au/collections/christmas?utm_source=over-sixty&utm_medium=native-article" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="alignnone wp-image-64159 size-full" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2022/10/ChristmasCDs_1280.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="308" /></a></p> <p>Jump right into the festive spirit with the blockbuster Christmas title “A Family Christmas” by internationally renowned tenor Andrea Bocelli and his son Matteo and daughter Virginia. Their first ever album together, “A Family Christmas” showcases their multi-generational musical talent in a range of festive favourites. Featuring new renditions of traditional carols arranged for all three voices, including “Away in a Manger” and “Joy to the World” plus popular Christmas tunes from around the world such as “Feliz Navidad” and “Il Giorno Piu Speciale”.</p> <p>Or be transported by the ethereal sounds and angelic classics of “Christmas Music for Harp”, featuring favourite carols in sublime arrangements by harp master Carlos Salzedo, performed with grace and charm by Australian harp virtuosa Alice Giles.</p> <p>“I Dream of Christmas” by Norah Jones; “Paul Kelly’s Christmas Trains”; “The Three Tenors at Christmas” – these titles and many more are available right now and can be with you in time to enjoy the festive season to the full. Explore the entire range of wonderfully festive <a href="https://classicsdirect.com.au/collections/christmas?utm_source=over-sixty&utm_medium=native-article" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Christmas options here</a>.</p> <p><iframe title="YouTube video player" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/fJJaeCHi-tU" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p> <p><strong>Box Sets</strong><br />Is there a music fan in your life – or perhaps it’s even YOU! – who absolutely must have every CD in an artist’s back catalogue? These completists are a rare and wonderful breed and when it comes to buying gifts for them, a CD Box Set is a hands down winner every time. The value for money is almost second to none, with some exceptional box sets containing upwards of 20, 30, 50 – even 90 CDs! That equates to hours and hours of listening enjoyment in one easy package. What’s not to love?</p> <p><a href="https://classicsdirect.com.au/collections/box-set?sort_by=best-selling&utm_source=over-sixty&utm_medium=native-article" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="alignnone wp-image-64160 size-full" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2022/10/BoxCDs_1280.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="313" /></a></p> <p>Relax and enjoy the stirring sounds of the 16-disc box set of “Sir Adrian Boult – The Decca Legacy, Vol 1”, the first in a limited-edition three-volume set of the complete Decca recordings of Boult, including previously unpublished recordings of Holst and a pioneering cycle of Vaughan Williams.</p> <p>Sit back and immerse yourself in the ultimate box set “The New Complete Beethoven, Essential Edition”. Featuring more than 115 hours of sublime music across an epic 95 CDs! Representing Beethoven's entire oeuvre in legendary interpretations from Deutsche Grammophon’s unrivalled Beethoven catalogue, together with reference recordings and musical treasures from Decca and many other labels, this is a must-have for any true fan of classical music.</p> <p>From Strauss to Stravinsky, Beethoven to Bach, all your musical tastes are covered at Classics Direct – even if you fancy something a little more whimsical like “Classic 100: Music for the Screen”, “The Complete Classics Kids” collection, or favourite love songs throughout the decades. Dive into the <a href="https://classicsdirect.com.au/collections/box-set?sort_by=best-selling&utm_source=over-sixty&utm_medium=native-article" target="_blank" rel="noopener">best-selling Box Sets for the ultimate CD Collectors here</a>.</p> <p><iframe title="YouTube video player" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/hkJdSBsflnY" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p> <p>So, why not visit the <a href="https://classicsdirect.com.au/?utm_source=over-sixty&utm_medium=native-article" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Classics Direct</a> website now for a leisurely browse through old favourites and new discoveries galore? Don’t forget to <a href="https://classicsdirect.com.au/pages/newsletter?utm_source=over-sixty&utm_medium=native-article" target="_blank" rel="noopener">sign up to the mailing list</a> for a discount off your first purchase!</p> <p><em>Images: Supplied</em></p> <p><em>This is a sponsored article produced in partnership with <a href="https://classicsdirect.com.au/?utm_source=over-sxity&utm_medium=native-article" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Classics Direct</a>.</em></p>

Music

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Explore Australia with a road trip: Alice Springs to Darwin

<p class="Body">Running north for 1600 km from Alice Springs to Darwin, the Stuart Highway makes for a classic Australian road trip. Part scenery and part history, much of what makes it special are the characters along the way.</p> <p class="Body">Leaving Alice Springs town centre, you soon pass the<span> </span><span><a href="http://alicespringstelegraphstation.com.au/">Telegraph Station</a></span>. This first Overland Telegraph station was built in 1871 beside a spring named after Alice, the wife of the South Australian Postmaster-General. It operated until 1933, linking Australia’s main cities to Europe. It is well worth visiting in its evocative setting.</p> <p class="Body">About 30 km north of town, you’ll see the marker for the Tropic of Capricorn. For the rest of the drive, you’re in the tropics, though the landscape doesn’t change for quite a while.</p> <p class="Body">As you head up the track, you’ll find a series of classic outback pubs. The one in tiny Barrow Creek is welcoming but is best known for the 2001 dramatic<span> </span><span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Murder_of_Peter_Falconio">murder of Peter Falconio</a></span><span> </span>at the hands of Bradley John Murdoch and the miraculous escape of Joanne Lees.</p> <p class="Body">One hundred kilometres further along you’ll reach the<span> </span><span><a href="https://northernterritory.com/us/en/tennant-creek-and-barkly-region/destinations/karlu-karludevils-marbles-conservation-reserve">Devils Marbles or Karlu Karlu</a></span>, a series of granite boulders that litter either side of the highway for several kilometres. Some of the larger ones stand precariously balanced on tiny bases. They were once part of one solid block, broken and gradually rounded by wind and water erosion. The local Warumungu Aboriginal people believe they are the fossilised eggs of the Rainbow Serpent.</p> <p class="Body"><strong class="bigger-text">Tennant Creek</strong></p> <p class="Body">Just over 500 km from Alice Springs,<span> </span><span><a href="https://northernterritory.com/tennant-creek-and-barkly-region">Tennant Creek</a></span><span> </span>was the site of Australia’s last gold rush, after gold was discovered here in 1932. The town is 11 km from its namesake creek, and local legend says that a cart carrying timber to build the first pub at that creek became bogged and it was decided to erect the hotel on the spot.</p> <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/BvEE9__jcIU/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_medium=loading" data-instgrm-version="12"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BvEE9__jcIU/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_medium=loading" target="_blank">A post shared by Northern Territory - Australia (@ausoutbacknt)</a> on Mar 16, 2019 at 2:12am PDT</p> </div> </blockquote> <p class="Body">With its tree-lined double highway and a population of 3000, Tennant Creek, one of the Northern Territory’s four main townships has several sites to explore. Visit<span> </span><span><a href="http://www.nyinkkanyunyu.com.au/">Nyinkka Nyunyu Art and Culture Centre</a></span>, the<span> </span><span><a href="https://nt.gov.au/leisure/parks-reserves/find-a-park-to-visit/tennant-creek-telegraph-station-historical-reserve">Tennant Creek Telegraph Station</a></span><span> </span>and<span> </span><span><a href="https://northernterritory.com/tennant-creek-and-barkly-region/see-and-do/battery-hill-mining-centre">Battery Hill Mining Centre</a></span>, and<span> </span><span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tennant_Creek_Catholic_Church">Christ the King Catholic Church</a></span><span> </span>to find out why it’s dubbed "the longest church in Australia". </p> <p class="Body">Just 25 km north of Tennant Creek is the Three Ways junction of the Barkly Highway that leads to Mount Isa in Queensland. Nearby is a<span> </span><span><a href="http://monumentaustralia.org.au/themes/people/religion/display/80251-john-flynn">memorial obelisk to Reverend John Flynn</a></span>, the founder of what is now the<span> </span><span><a href="https://www.flyingdoctor.org.au/">Royal Flying Doctor Service</a></span><span> </span>and a genuine Australian outback hero.</p> <p class="Body">Further along the Stuart Highway north from Tennant Creek, the tiny township of Renner Springs marks a geographical and climatic end to the long, dry journey. Renner Springs represent the end of the higher country and the southern extremity of the monsoon-affected plains.</p> <p class="Body"><span><a href="http://www.dalywaterspub.com/">Daly Waters</a></span>, 900 km from Alice Springs, is worth a pause for a drink at the oldest pub in the Territory. The low stone building, once a refreshment stop for drovers on the overland cattle drives, was first licensed in 1893. The droving days have since given way to the era of the road train, and the north is now crisscrossed with a network of routes by which these huge trucks convey the cattle to market or railheads.</p> <p class="Body"><span><a href="https://www.visitkatherine.com.au/surrounding-regions/mataranka">Mataranka</a> </span>is an unlikely oasis that was the setting for “We of the Never Never” — a classic novel by Aeneas (Jeannie) Gunn who lived at the huge Elsey Station property in 1902. The surprise attraction is<span> </span><span><a href="https://nt.gov.au/leisure/parks-reserves/find-a-park-to-visit/elsey-national-park">Elsey National Park</a></span>, with tropical forest comprising palms and paperbark trees surrounding sparkling thermal pools — a real oasis amid the north’s arid surrounds. </p> <p class="Body"><strong class="bigger-text">Katherine and Nitmuluk</strong></p> <p class="Body">Katherine, 108 km north is the Top End’s second most important town after Darwin. It has a well-developed infrastructure of shops, camping grounds, hotels, and motels. Since colonial days, it has been an important telegraph station and cattle centre, and it is from here that the Victoria Highway strikes west towards the Kimberley region of Western Australia.</p> <p class="Body">Just before the WA border, there is a turn-off to<span> </span><span><a href="https://nt.gov.au/leisure/parks-reserves/find-a-park-to-visit/keep-river-national-park">Keep River National Park</a></span>. Like the formations across the border in the<span> </span><span><a href="https://www.australiasnorthwest.com/destination/bungle-bungle">Bungle Bungle Range</a></span>, Keep River features a series of fascinating banded sandstone towers which shelter a wide range of vegetation and animal life.</p> <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/BdJWjJ_hVB2/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_medium=loading" data-instgrm-version="12"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BdJWjJ_hVB2/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_medium=loading" target="_blank">A post shared by Riekie Wandrag (@riekiewandrag)</a> on Dec 25, 2017 at 4:56pm PST</p> </div> </blockquote> <p class="Body">To the east of the Katherine township,<span> </span><span><a href="https://northernterritory.com/katherine-and-surrounds/destinations/nitmiluk-national-park">Katherine Gorge</a></span><span> </span>is one of the best known features of the Territory. It’s a great canyon of sandstone cliffs rising to over 100 metres above the Katherine River, best explored by water. There’s a series of gorges for 12 km before the river widens out again. It’s all part of<span> </span><span><a href="https://nt.gov.au/leisure/parks-reserves/find-a-park-to-visit/nitmiluk-national-park">Nitmiluk National Park</a></span><span> </span>that deserves several days of exploration. There are several walking trails in the park that follow the top of the escarpment, looking down into the gorge.</p> <p class="Body">Katherine is only 340 km from Darwin and in the vastness of outback Australia this sort of distance qualifies as a relative short trip into town.</p> <p class="Body"><strong class="bigger-text">World record drive</strong></p> <p class="Body">Readers of a certain vintage may remember tales of a Jaguar XK120 Roadster that set a world open road record for the<span> </span><span><a href="https://www.whichcar.com.au/features/classic-wheels/vanishing-point">drive between Darwin and Alice Springs in 1951</a></span>.</p> <p class="Body">The road had only been converted from a dirt track alongside the telegraph line during World War II, when it was a main supply route for men and supplies to defend Australia’s north. Still it was a pretty rough road — particularly south of Tennant Creek where the bitumen ended. There was a 65 km/h speed limit and the NT police refused permission for the attempt saying “otherwise every silly bastard would be trying it”.</p> <p class="Body">Les Taylor and Dick Rendle completed the course in 10 hours 32 minutes for an average speed of 145.89 km/h — or 90.5 mph over 954 miles. Les was arrested when they arrived in Alice Springs to great fanfare — and was subsequently fined £20.</p> <p class="Body"><em><strong>Have you done any road trips around the Top End? Share your route below!</strong></em></p> <p><em>Written by David McGonigal. Republished with permission of <a href="https://www.wyza.com.au/articles/travel/road-trip-alice-springs-to-darwin.aspx">Wyza.com.au.</a></em></p>

Domestic Travel

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Qantas passengers feared for their lives: “I thought I was going to die”

<p>Terrified passengers aboard a Qantas flight from Alice Springs to Brisbane reportedly feared for their lives after hearing a loud bang onboard shortly before landing.  </p> <p>Witnesses aboard Boeing 717 flight QF1799, which took off from Alice Springs Saturday afternoon, claim passengers were told to brace and started sending goodbye messages to their loved one, while crew briefed a man how to operate the emergency exit.</p> <p>Tash Henning, one of the passengers aboard the flight, told <a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/" target="_blank"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>Daily Mail Australia</strong></em></span></a> that she feared she would never see her 14-year-old daughter again.</p> <p>“I flipped my phone from flight mode so I could tell her to call her aunt, and that I loved her,” she said.</p> <p>“As the flight attendants went through the emergency procedures I was just crying on my partner's chest.</p> <p>“After the bang there was a lot of vibrating. They didn't tell us much. I am pretty mad I thought I was going to die and so did everyone else,” she said.</p> <p>Qantas has downplayed the incident however, refuting claims passengers were told to adopt the brace position before landing.</p> <p>A Qantas spokeswoman addressed the incident in a statement to <a href="http://www.couriermail.com.au/" target="_blank"><span><em><strong>The Courier-Mail</strong></em></span></a>.</p> <p>“The pilots followed standard procedure, shut down the engine, and the flight landed normally in Brisbane at 6pm. Passengers disembarked shortly after,” she said.</p> <p>What are your thoughts? Do you think there’s more to this than meets the eye?</p>

Travel Trouble

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Huge decision to affect all tourists visiting Uluru

<p>The board of the Uluru Kata Tjuta National Park has made a huge decision that will impact all tourists who are visiting Australia’s most iconic monolith in future, voting unanimously to close the rock to people wanting to climb to its summit.</p> <p>While the date of the climb’s actual closure will be delayed another two years, David Ross, the director of the Central Land Council, said it was, “righting a historic wrong.”</p> <p>"This decision has been a very long time coming and our thoughts are with the elders who have longed for this day but are no longer with us to celebrate it," Mr Ross said.</p> <p>Uluru’s management has been urged to close the rock to climbers for years, with senior traditional owner Sammy Wilson saying it is, “not a theme park like Disneyland”.</p> <p>The 12-member board that manages Uluru and the surrounding area voted to close the climb permanently, while keeping the park open to tourists.</p> <p>"Some people, in tourism and government for example, might have been saying we need to keep it open but it's not their law that lies in this land," Mr Wilson said.</p> <p>"It is an extremely important place, not a theme park like Disneyland.</p> <p>"If I travel to another country and there is a sacred site, an area of restricted access, I don't enter or climb it, I respect it. It is the same here for Anangu. We welcome tourists here. We are not stopping tourism, just this activity.</p> <p>"After much discussion, we've decided it's time," he said.</p> <p>Mr Wilson added that he did not believes this would affect tourism.</p> <p>"There is so much else besides that in the culture here," Mr Wilson said. "If we have the right support to take tourists outside (the park) it will benefit everyone.</p> <p>"We have a lot to offer in this country. So instead of tourists feeling disappointed... they can experience the homelands with Anangu and really enjoy the fact that they learnt so much more about culture."</p> <p>What are your thoughts? Think this is the right call?</p> <p><em><strong>Have you arranged your travel insurance yet? Save money with Over60 Travel Insurance. <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://elevate.agatravelinsurance.com.au/oversixty?utm_source=over60&amp;utm_medium=content&amp;utm_content=link1&amp;utm_campaign=travel-insurance" target="_blank">To arrange a quote, click here.</a></span> Or for more information, call 1800 622 966.</strong></em></p>

Domestic Travel

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Why you should visit the Alice Springs Beanie Festival

<p>Welcome to the quirkiest festival in the outback.</p> <p><strong>What is it?</strong></p> <p>Beanie enthusiasts from around the world head to Alice Springs each year for a weekend of markets, music, dancing and food, all in celebration of the humble woolly hat. The festival began in 1997 when a group of friends began to teach local indigenous women how to knit beanies, which they could then sell and put the money back into the community. From these humble beginnings, more than 6,000 beanies are now sold at the festival each year with all profits going back to the indigenous artists and remote communities.</p> <p><strong>Why beanies?</strong></p> <p>Most people imagine that central Australia is always hot. In reality, winter nights in the desert can get incredibly cold and everyone needs to wear a beanie outside. Handmade beanies have become a form of regional art, given unique characteristics with different textures, colours, shapes and styles. They have also become popular on the tourist market and are a good way for local people to earn money.</p> <p><strong>What events are there?</strong></p> <p>The festival will run from June 23-26, 2017, with a packed program of events. It kicks off with a Gala Opening Night. The winners of the hotly contested beanie competition will be announced, with different categories for designs that incorporate native plants, birds, indigenous art and traditional stories. The night features lots of live entertainment, food and plenty of beanies for sale. Over the following days, Beanie Central is the festival’s hub with workshops and demonstrations from indigenous crafters as well as activities for kids and damper cooked over an open fire. There are also gallery exhibitions, fashion parades and dinners held around town.</p> <p><strong>How can I go?</strong></p> <p>Entry to Beanie Central is by a gold coin donation and entry to the National Beanie Exhibition is $15. Many of the activities and workshops are free, though some have a small participation fee or you will need to pay for materials. The festival is run almost entirely by volunteers, so if you want to lend a hand you can register from June 21-23 in Alice Springs. There are lots of different positions, from setting up to taking tickets, serving food, helping out and galleries and working in the children’s corner. It’s a unique opportunity to get involved with a grass roots community event – and have a great time!</p> <p>Have you ever been to the beanie festival?</p>

International Travel

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Secluded cottage the perfect Red Centre retreat

<p>Just 10 minutes out of Alice Springs, on the edge of Ilparpa Valley, is the secluded cottage that will provide you with the perfect <a href="https://www.airbnb.com.au/rooms/10106945/?af=61160407&amp;c=apac_au_over60_cottagent" target="_blank"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Red Centre retreat</span></strong></a>.</p> <p>And, as you can see when scroll through the gallery above, it’s something else.</p> <p>This generously sized, <a href="https://www.airbnb.com.au/rooms/10106945/?af=61160407&amp;c=apac_au_over60_cottagent" target="_blank"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">one bedroom cottage</span></strong></a> is the perfect site from which to explore all the attractions Alice Springs has to offer and comes complete will full amenities including a luxurious outdoor bath to really take in the spectacular hill views.</p> <p>After a full day of exploring the ins and outs of the Red Centre, there’s nothing quite as nice as sitting in the warm bath and enjoying the sunset with a glass of champagne.</p> <p>To view the beautiful property, scroll through the gallery above. Even if you’re not headed to Alice Springs any time soon, it’s worth it to do a little daydreaming.</p> <p>For more information or to book the Red Centre retreat, <a href="https://www.airbnb.com.au/rooms/10106945/?af=61160407&amp;c=apac_au_over60_cottagent" target="_blank"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">click here</span></strong></a>.</p> <p><a href="https://www.airbnb.com/?af=61160407&amp;c=apac_au_over60" target="_blank"><em><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Whether you want to make money by renting your place or to find affordable accommodation options and stretch your travel budget further, head over to Airbnb now and have a look around.</span></strong></em></a></p> <p><strong>Related links:</strong></p> <p><a href="/travel/accommodation/2016/08/traditional-ocean-shack-the-perfect-tassie-retreat/"><strong><em><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Traditional ocean shack the perfect Tassie retreat</span></em></strong></a></p> <p><a href="/travel/accommodation/2016/08/this-stunning-rainforest-retreat-will-blow-you-away/"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em>This stunning rainforest retreat will blow you away</em></span></strong></a></p> <p><a href="/travel/accommodation/2016/08/waterfront-home-with-best-view-in-tasmania/"><strong><em><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Waterfront home with the best view in Tasmania</span></em></strong></a></p>

Accommodation

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Retreat to a luxury tent in Alice Springs

<p>Immerse yourself in the beauty of isolation with your own luxury tent. The <a href="https://www.airbnb.com.au/rooms/https://www.airbnb.com.au/rooms/11594035?s=Zo4liqPl_Squeakywindmill_Boutique" target="_blank"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Squeaky Windmill Boutique B&amp;B</span></strong></a> offers front row seats to the unparalleled excellence of the Australian outback.</p> <p>Set amongst the Western Macdonell Ranges, just 15km from the Alice Springs CBD, this <a href="https://www.airbnb.com.au/?af=61160407&amp;c=apac_au_over60_auhomepage" target="_blank"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Airbnb</span></strong></a> property is as comfortable as a high end hotel whilst being situated in the centre of tranquillity.</p> <p>The tent itself features its own ensuite and kitchenette and is fit out with warm hues and splashes of red to emulate the burnt landscape.</p> <p>Enjoy a shared pool, bike rides and the natural wildlife, or simply keep to yourself and enjoy the views.</p> <p>To see all the breathtaking photos, scroll through the gallery above. See the full listing on Airbnb <a href="https://www.airbnb.com.au/rooms/https://www.airbnb.com.au/rooms/11594035?s=Zo4liqPl_Squeakywindmill_Boutique" target="_blank"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">here.</span></strong></a></p> <p>Have you ever stayed somewhere with a truly unforgettable view? Share your photos with us in the comments below.</p> <p><strong>Related links:</strong></p> <p><a href="http://www.oversixty.com.au/travel/accommodation/2016/08/8-affordable-accommodation-options-with-million-dollar-views/"><strong><em><span style="text-decoration: underline;">8 affordable accommodation options with million-dollar views</span></em></strong></a></p> <p><a href="http://www.oversixty.com.au/travel/accommodation/2016/08/the-best-place-to-stay-on-the-great-ocean-road/"><strong><em><span style="text-decoration: underline;">The best place to stay on the Great Ocean Road</span></em></strong></a></p> <p><a href="http://www.oversixty.com.au/travel/accommodation/2016/08/luxury-caravans-on-airbnb/"><strong><em><span style="text-decoration: underline;">3 luxury caravans on Airbnb</span></em></strong></a></p>

Accommodation

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5 more things to do in the Red Centre

<p>There’s a lot more to Australia's famous Outback than Uluru. Explore a little further and be rewarded with these incredible experiences.</p> <p><strong>1. Discover an ancient meteorite</strong></p> <p>4,700 years ago a huge meteorite plummet through the atmosphere at more than 40,000 kilometres an hour and smashed into the earth 150 kilometres southwest of Alice Springs. The meteorite disintegrated before impact and formed 12 craters that are now known as the Henbury Meteorites Conservation Reserve. A self-guided walking track takes you around the craters, the largest of which is 180 metres wide and 15 metres deep.</p> <p><strong>2. Track the world’s oldest river</strong></p> <p>The Finke River is Australia’s ancient artery and has been flowing through the West MacDonnell Ranges for more than 300 million years. This could also make it the oldest river following its original course, though there’s no definitive proof. Four-wheel drive trails and campsites can be found along the river as well as a number of hiking trails that will take you to secluded waterholes or to the top of mountains that existed before the dinosaurs.</p> <p><strong>3. Have a real off-road adventure</strong></p> <p>The Mereenie Loop Road is not one for the inexperienced. It’s an alternative route from Alice Springs to Kings Canyon and Uluru via the Western MacDonnell Ranges. It’s an opportunity to discover true rugged outback landscapes that range from mountains to red sand hills and desert plains. The road is unsealed and can be prone to flash flooding, and you’ll need a permit to drive it, but it’s worth the effort.</p> <p><strong>4. Study the stars</strong></p> <p>Some of the best sightseeing in central Australia is up above you. Low humidity and the absence of artificial light make for incredibly clear skies so you’ll be able to see stars and planets more clearly than you ever have before. Take an organised tour and you’ll have the chance to look through a high-powered telescope, bringing you even closer to the heavens.</p> <p><strong>5. Visit the Garden of Eden</strong></p> <p>At the base of Kings Canyon, at the base of soaring 100 metre cliffs, lies the Garden of Eden, a permanent waterhole surrounded by lush plant life. The canyon itself is just as spectacular with a six-kilometre walk around the rim that’s best done at sunrise or sunset. You can take a guided walk with an Aboriginal elder to learn about the area’s significance to the traditional owners or see the canyon from above with a private helicopter flight.</p> <p>What’s your favourite thing to do in the Outback? Do you have any holiday plans on the cards? Let us know in the comments.</p> <p><strong>Related links:</strong></p> <p><a href="/travel/international/2016/08/breathtaking-images-of-flock-of-budgies/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>Breathtaking images of flock of budgies</strong></em></span></a></p> <p><a href="/travel/international/2016/07/crossing-the-spectacular-simpson-desert/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>Crossing the spectacular Simpson Desert</strong></em></span></a></p> <p><a href="/travel/international/2016/07/6-best-animal-experiences-you-can-have-in-australia/"><strong><em><span style="text-decoration: underline;">6 best animal experiences you can have in Australia</span></em></strong></a></p>

International Travel

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Eagle tries to snatch boy during Alice Springs nature show

<p>It’s one thing you certainly don’t expect to happen when seeing a nature show, but one young boy was almost carried away by an eagle at the Alice Springs Desert Park last week.</p> <p>The unnamed boy, thought to be around six to eight years old, was reportedly playing with the zipper on his hoodie when suddenly the wedge-tailed eagle, Australia’s largest bird of prey, flew at him and tried to carry him off “like a small animal,” according to the <a href="http://www.bbc.com/news/world-australia-36771205" target="_blank"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">BBC</span></strong></a>.</p> <p>A crowd of onlookers watched helplessly as the eagle sunk its talons onto the boy’s head in an attempt to fly away with him. Miraculously, he escaped with only a “superficial” cut to his face, though he was bleeding and visibly upset by the ordeal.</p> <p>Victorian woman Christine O’Connell managed to capture the attack on camera, explained that the boy “kept running his zipper up and down,” which distracted the bird and led to the attack.</p> <p>“He screamed, the mother was distraught and the presenters wrapped up the show very quickly,” another witness told the <a href="http://www.ntnews.com.au/news/centralian-advocate/boy-injured-by-wedgetailed-eagle-during-alice-springs-desert-park-show/news-story/946269f4615a101bfb7402669056c16f" target="_blank"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>NT News</strong></em></span></a>.</p> <p>The Alice Springs Desert Park released a statement after details of the incident leaked to the media. “A thorough investigation regarding the circumstances behind this incident is under way and the eagle will be removed from the show while this investigation is ongoing.”</p> <p><strong>Related links:</strong></p> <p><a href="/lifestyle/family-pets/2016/07/dr-chris-brown-important-health-alert-for-pets/"><strong><em><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Dr Chris Brown’s important health alert for pets</span></em></strong></a></p> <p><a href="/lifestyle/family-pets/2016/06/expert-tips-for-connecting-with-your-grandchildren/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>5 expert tips for connecting with your grandchildren</strong></em></span></a></p> <p><a href="/lifestyle/family-pets/2016/06/motherly-love-helps-childrens-brains-grow-bigger/"><strong><em><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Motherly love helps children's brains grow bigger</span></em></strong></a></p>

Family & Pets

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5 amazing attractions to experience in Alice Springs

<p>When Australia’s most famous site is your next door neighbour, it’s easy to be overlooked. But Alice Springs is a worthy destination in its own right. Here are the top things to do.</p> <p><strong>1. Breakfast at Olive Pink Botanic Garden</strong></p> <p>On the edge of the Todd River, legendary anthropologist and Aboriginal rights campaigner Olive Pink worked for more than 20 years to establish the 40-acre botanic garden that bears her name. It’s home to more than 600 native species of plants, hundreds of birds, butterflies and the occasional kangaroo. It’s also the prettiest spot in town for breakfast at the Bean Tree Café.</p> <p><strong>2. See local art at a gallery</strong></p> <p>It’s easy to paint all indigenous art with the same brush (so to speak), but a visit to any of the galleries around Alice is a lesson in the diversity of work produced in the region. Leaping Lizards Gallery is small but easily one of the best, displaying works from Tennant Creek artist Dion Beasley, famous for his Cheeky Dog series, clever line drawings that capture the spirit of the ubiquitous camp dogs living in every remote community in the state. Or try Muk Muk Fine Art and Papunya Tule Artists.</p> <p><strong>3. Meet wallabies at Heavitree Gap</strong></p> <p>Every night at dusk, a colony of black-footed rock wallabies makes their way down to Heavitree Gap on the edge of Alice Springs. At less than half a metre tall, they are one of the smallest wallaby species and are exceedingly cute as they hop carefully down the rocky slope. There’s no charge to view them though the adjacent resort sells special food that the animals eagerly accept.</p> <p><strong>4. Take a morning tour of Alice Springs Desert Park</strong></p> <p>The Alice Springs Desert Park is a 10-minute drive from town at the base of the MacDonnell Ranges and has three recreated desert environments to walk through. The park dispels the myth that the desert is empty with over 400 plant species and 200 animal species native to Central Australia. You could easily spend the whole day here, visiting bilbies in the Nocturnal House, being swooped by wedge tailed eagles and learning indigenous traditions of desert survival. Get an early start in summer to avoid the searing heat of the day when temperatures regularly climb to over 40 degrees.</p> <p><strong>5. Check out the RFDS museum</strong></p> <p>The Royal Flying Doctors Service (RFDS) has been operating out of Alice Springs since 1939 and the base still serves around 1.25 million square kilometres across the territory and surrounding states. It also does the best coffee in town. The RFDS Café is in the original heritage building and you can eat on the shady verandah or grab a seat in the garden. The on-site museum is worth a look to learn about the history of the RFDS in the region and there’s also a small shop and gallery attached. All profits from the tours and café go back into the RFDS for medical supplies and aircraft.</p> <p>Have you tried any of these amazing activities in Alice Springs, and if so how did you find the experience?</p> <p>Please let us know in the comments below.</p> <p><strong>Related links:</strong></p> <p><a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/travel/international/2016/05/where-are-the-worlds-busiest-airports/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>Where are the world's busiest airports?</strong></em></span></a></p> <p><a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/travel/international/2016/05/10-things-to-do-on-bruny-island/"><strong><em><span style="text-decoration: underline;">10 things to do on Bruny Island</span></em></strong></a></p> <p><a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/travel/international/2016/05/10-reasons-to-drop-everything-and-travel/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><em>10 reasons to drop everything and travel</em></strong></span></a></p>

International Travel

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Meet the oldest Peace Corps volunteer

<p>87-year-old Alice Carter has broken the record for the US’ oldest Peace Corps volunteer. She was first inspired to join back in 1960 after then-President John F. Kennedy called for more young Americans to get involved.</p> <p>Since last year, Carter has been stationed in Rabat, Morocco. Prior to joining, she told <a href="http://www.npr.org/2016/02/13/466592640/peace-corps-volunteer-values-staying-active-in-old-age" target="_blank"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">NPR</span></strong></a> she was always interested in civil rights and the world in general. Carter was a staunch opponent of the Vietnam War and spent her time before the Peace Corps tutoring disadvantaged children and organising church dinners.</p> <p>Carter says her age is no barrier to staying both mentally and physically active. “You can't quit. I've been told that it's hard to make friends as you get older. I have not found that to be true,” she said.</p> <p>“I'm not here to be a world-beater or accomplish impossible tasks. I just want [people] to know that you can have a really good time in the Peace Corps when you're old,” she added.</p> <p>We think she has the right attitude! <a href="/lifestyle/retirement-life/2015/12/reasons-to-volunteer-in-retirement/" target="_blank"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Click here</span></strong></a> to read our article on why you should consider using your free time to volunteer.</p> <p><strong>Related links:</strong></p> <p><a href="/lifestyle/retirement-life/2016/05/105-year-old-volunteer-teacher/"><strong><em><span style="text-decoration: underline;">105-year-old proves volunteering has no age limit</span></em></strong></a></p> <p><a href="/lifestyle/retirement-life/2016/05/76-year-old-volunteer-shares-wisdom-with-schoolkids/"><strong><em><span style="text-decoration: underline;">76-year-old volunteer shares wisdom with schoolkids</span></em></strong></a></p> <p><a href="/lifestyle/retirement-life/2016/04/i-found-retirement-overrated/"><strong><em><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Retirement is overrated. Here’s what I did instead.</span></em></strong></a></p>

Retirement Life

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6 surprising facts about Alice in Wonderland

<p>To celebrate its 150th birthday Lewis Carroll’s self-published 1865 manuscript, Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, we have found six surprising facts about the beloved children's classic. </p> <p>1. Alice was a real girl</p> <p>The main character was based on the daughter of Carroll's boss, Henry Liddell – the dean of Christ Church College at Oxford, where Carroll taught mathematics. </p> <p>2. It was almost called "Alice in Elf Land"</p> <p>When Carroll gave a handwritten copy to Alice Liddell, it was originally titled Alice's Adventures Under Ground. However, by the time it was published, it was changed to Alice's Adventures in Wonderland. Before coming to this decision, Carroll went through other titles, including Alice's Hour in Elf Land, Alice Among the Fairies, and Alice Among the Goblins.</p> <p>3. The Dodo bird is based on Carroll</p> <p>At least according to reports! In the book, Carroll alludes to the pivotal boat trip by putting the participants into the story as birds. He was the Dodo, named after his real last name, Dodgson. The author had a documented tendency to stammer, and the story is that he would introduce himself as "Do-do-dogson."</p> <p>4. The Cheshire Cat climbed a real tree</p> <p>In the garden behind the Liddell home at Christ Church College, Oxford, stands a tree that is said to have inspired the famous cat's perch. </p> <p>5. His real name is not Lewis Carroll</p> <p>Charles Lutwidge Dodgson started using the pen name in 1856 when he published a romantic poem. It was a play on a Latin translation of his real first and middle names.</p> <p>6. Queen Victoria was a fan</p> <p>After reading Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, Queen Victoria suggested that Carroll dedicate his next work to her. She probably should have been more specific: Carroll was a mathematician, so his next work was An Elementary Treatise on Determinants, With Their Application to Simultaneous Linear Equations and Algebraic Equations. He presented it to the Queen. </p> <p><strong>Related links:</strong></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong><a href="/lifestyle/family/2015/08/vintage-lego-ads/">7 vintage Lego ads that will take you back to your childhood</a></strong></em></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong><a href="/lifestyle/family/2015/10/real-life-winnie-the-pooh-and-christopher-robin/">Meet the real-life Winnie the Pooh and Christopher Robin</a></strong></em></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong><a href="/lifestyle/family/2015/09/disney-princesses-as-seniors/">Disney princesses reimagined as senior women</a></strong></em></span></p>

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Meet the gorgeous girl who inspired Walt Disney’s Alice in Wonderland

<p>There’s no doubt you remember the blonde cartoon character of Alice from the 1951 film, Alice in Wonderland. As it turns out, the character’s likeness was inspired by the appearance of actress Kathryn Beaumont, who voiced the animation.</p> <p>Apparently, Walt Disney was so taken with the 10-year-old’s voice that he had the character modelled after her. Below are some of the scenes Beaumont acted out for the animators, who hand-drew every single frame.</p> <p>Since performing as Alice and later, Wendy of Peter Pan, Beaumont retired from the business and enjoyed a 30-year-long career as a teacher.</p> <p> <img width="500" height="309" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/9715/1443798931-alice-in-wonderland-2_500x309.jpg" alt="1443798931-alice -in -wonderland -2" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"/></p> <p><img width="500" height="199" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/9716/1443799040-alice-in-wonderland-1_500x199.jpg" alt="1443799040-alice -in -wonderland -1" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"/></p> <p><img width="495" height="190" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/9717/1443799063-alice-in-wonderland-3_495x190.jpg" alt="1443799063-alice -in -wonderland -3" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"/></p> <p><strong>Related links:</strong></p> <p><strong><em><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="/lifestyle/family/2015/09/disney-princesses-as-seniors/">Disney princesses reimagined as senior women</a></span></em></strong></p> <p><strong><em><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="/lifestyle/family/2015/09/retro-teenage-posters/">The best retro posters from the past</a></span></em></strong></p> <p><strong><em><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="/lifestyle/family/2015/08/facts-about-sound-of-music/">6 little known facts about The Sound of Music</a></span></em></strong></p> <p> </p>

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