The Red Centre - Australia 2004 - page 373

appealing rooms or self-contained cottages. A TV is located in the guest lounge.
The Heaslips run a good range of day trips, overnight bush camps, and tours
throughout the Red Centre, making this a good base for a Red Centre stay. Ask
about 3- and 5-day packages, some combining tours, and accommodations at
Kings Canyon Resort and Ayers Rock Resort also. No smoking indoors.
25km (16 miles) north of Alice Springs (P.O. Box 4, Alice Springs, NT 0870). & 08/8952 9888. Fax 08/8953
0963. www.outbackretreat.com.au. 5 units, 3 with bathroom, 2 sharing a private bathroom. A$231-A$277
(US$150-US$180) double. Rates include full breakfast. Extra adult A$58 (US$38), extra child 6-15 A$47
(US$31). Dinner A$55 (US$36) per person extra. MC, V. Closed Christmas-Jan. Transfers from Alice Springs
A$40 (US$26) from town, A$80 (US$52) from airport, one-way, per vehicle. Note: All but the last 6km
(3 3 ⁄ 4 miles) of the road is paved; while car-rental companies do not allow driving on unpaved roads, they may
permit it here. Check with your company. Amenities: Unheated outdoor pool; outdoor tennis court; laundry
service. In room: A/C, fridge, coffeemaker (in cottages), hair dryer, no phone.
MODERATE
Aurora Alice Springs This pleasant hotel (formally The Territory Inn) is
smack in the center of town. Rooms in the newer wing are your standard qual-
ity motel-style variety, all clean, large, and decorated nicely. Those in the origi-
nal wing are small and a little dark; they have a pretty heritage theme with floral
bedcovers and lace curtains. The courtyard has a barbecue and the front desk
loans hair dryers. The tiny pool and Jacuzzi are tucked away in a utilitarian cor-
ner, so this is not the place for chilling out poolside; stay here to be within walk-
ing distance of shops and restaurants. Room service is from the Red Ochre Grill
(p. 378).
Leichhardt Terrace (backing on to Todd Mall), Alice Springs, NT 0870. & 1800/089 644 in Australia, or
08/8950 6666. Fax [phone]. www.aurora-resorts.com.au. 108 units (all with shower only, 1 suite
w/Jacuzzi). A$150-A$170 (US$98-US$110) double. Extra person A$20 (US$13). Children under 14 stay free
in parent's room with existing bedding. AE, DC, MC, V. Free parking. Hotel provides transfers from airport
A$10 (US$6.50) per person, round-trip. Airport shuttle. Amenities: Restaurant; small heated outdoor pool;
Jacuzzi; tour desk; limited room service; babysitting; same-day laundry/dry-cleaning service; barbecue area.
In room:A/C, TV w/pay movies, fridge, minibar, iron, hair dryer (available on request).
Rydges Plaza Resort Alice Springs Next to the golf club and near
Lasseter's Casino, this is one of Alice's fanciest resorts. Three stories of rooms
wrap around the pool and an ample sun deck. All rooms are spacious and around
half were refurbished in 2001. Each has a balcony—some looking onto the pool,
some back toward town—while others look over the red ranges. Barbecues take
place every lunch and dinner around the pool September through March.
Barrett Dr. (1.5km/1 mile from town center), Alice Springs, NT 0870. & 1800/226 466 in Australia, 0800/446
187 in New Zealand, or resort direct 1800/675 212 in Australia, or 08/8950 8000. Fax [phone]. www.
rydges.com. 235 units. A$160-A$215 (US$104-US$139) double; A$350-A$500 (US$228-US$325) suite.
Extra person A$25 (US$16). Children under 13 stay free in parent's room with existing bedding. Free crib. Ask
about packages. AE, DC, MC, V. Free parking. Airport shuttle. Amenities: Restaurant; bar; heated outdoor
pool; 2 lit tennis courts; exercise room with plunge pool; Jacuzzi; sauna; bike rental; tour desk; secretarial
service; 24-hr. room service; babysitting; laundry service; same-day laundry/dry-cleaning service. In room:A/C,
TV w/pay movies, dataport, minibar, hair dryer, iron.
INEXPENSIVE
Desert Palms Resort Next to Lasseter's Casino (where the food can
be awful) and the Alice Springs Golf Club (to which guests enjoy honorary mem-
bership), these cheery cabins set behind manicured palms and pink bougainvillea
are one of the nicest places to stay in Alice. Don't be deterred by their poky pre-
fab appearance; inside they are surprisingly large, well kept, and inviting, with a
pine-pitched ceiling, a minikitchen, a sliver of bathroom sporting white tiles and
fittings, and a pert furnished front deck. Four rooms are suitable for travelers

Value

Value