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Visited: dry season
Recommendation: The rest areas south of Alice Springs have a lot to offer. From stunning views to incredible wildlife, it pays to take it slow and explore. While the area might look void of animals, there are actually plenty to find.
The rest areas alongside the main north-south road between South Australia and Alice Springs (Stuart Highway) are a lot nicer than those coming from Tennant Creek. They are more expansive with areas to walk and park away from the road. I stopped at 3 recently and was surprised by how pleasant they were and the quality of the birds in the locale. On the drive south I was thrilled to see a Bourke's Parrot fly across the van and then alongside it. However, by the time I had wound the window down to ask it to pose for a photo, it had gone. Beautiful grey, pink and blue bird and I never fail to be amazed to see such incredible birds as I just drive down the road.
First off was Redbank Waterhole which is about 7km from the road along and unsealed, rough road. It was traversable by the my van although we did bump quite a lot. The waterhole was quiet in terms of people but busier for birds. I parked up above the water and spent a quiet afternoon and very cold night there.
On my way out in the morning, having to drive very slowly was an advantage and I saw lots of Zebra Finches and honeyeaters. A group of Red-tailed Black Cockatoo caught my attention as they tried to force a raptor away from them. Luckily, that raptor landed and I then crept towards it. The bird was remarkably tolerant but it did help having a long lens as I didn't have to get too close to get my shots. The owl-like face indicated it was a Spotted Harrier. The poor cockatoos had to turn their attention to a hobby which took up the chase.
Australian Hobby (falco longipennis)
Spotted Harrier (circus assimilis)
Mulga Parrot (Psephotus varius)
Next up was the Finke River Rest Area where I stopped for morning tea. The area had lots of potential but I didn't stay long. There is a area out the back which had nice parking and a gate allowed access to the river. With only a few patches of water, the only customer was a Willie Wagtail.
I spent the night at the Desert Oaks Rest Area which had a nice walk out the back and I immediately saw parrots. Eventually they settled and I saw they were a pair of Mulga Parrots. I had seen them in the aviaries at Desert Park but in the wild they were so brighter and more vivid. A lifer for me so I was pleased to get adequate shots of them.
Redbank Waterhole early morning
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