The mayor of Alice Springs has urged overworked Australians to "get a life" and visit the central Australian region - and it is advice that people of all nationalities should follow.
Mayor Damien Ryan said that increased travel options to the Red Centre, such as those now provided by Tiger Airways make it possible for more people to spend a long weekend in a part of the country that is usually considered remote.
But the extra effort needed to get there is worth it as the area is comprised of cavernous gorges, boundless desert landscapes and remote Aboriginal communities.
From the early 1900s, the vast desert of central Australia was explored for its promise of rubies and gold and today it still has hidden treasure for intrepid travellers to find.
For instance, north-west of Alice Springs, along the Tanami Track and south of Alice Springs in the Simpson desert, you can find the art styles and stories of the Aboriginal people which give meaning and context to the surrounding landscape.
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