Alice Springs camel race

Alice Springs is located in Outback Australia. If you look at the map, it is pretty much in the center of Australia, sometimes called central Australia.

Once a year, Alice Springs hosts the annual Dromedary Race. A dromedary is a one-humped camel. I was lucky enough to be in town on this occasion last year, and it was the most fascinating event I've ever witnessed.

International visitors swelled the crowd who were all there for a good time despite the heat and flies. The biggest problem was that one camel didn't know which way to run! You really have to watch this hilarious video.

There is a lot to see and do around Alice Springs. Just out of town is the outback telegraph station that is a place of historic importance as it allowed the telegraph to go through to Darwin, linking Australia with the rest of the world.

The Todd River flows through the town, but for most of its life is dry as shown in the photographs, but after a big outback rain, it comes to life. Surprisingly, there is plenty of water in Alice Springs, due to underground water, and during winter, grows much of Adelaide's vegetables.

It is only a short hop, skip and a jump to the famous Ayres Rock (now called Ooloroo in respect of the Indigenous population).

Of course there is a lot of unique flora and fauna such as the Sturt Desert Pea and countless native birds and wildlife.

If you are hankering for an Australian adventure, the Imparja Camel cup will be held on Saturday 10th July 2010. For more information, just google "Imparja Camel Cup" and you will be spoiled with information.

Being in the center of the Australian Outback is a major benefit for Alice Springs as a major tourist destination. The Alice Springs camel cup is just one major attraction.