We needed some time to explore Alice Springs so we set off and stayed two nights at a great caravan park about 10 km out of Alice just off the Ormiston road, - the Wanngardi Caravan Park. Recommend it as quiet and with a great cliff wall rising behind the camp that catches the evening sunset. While there we visited Simpsons Gap. Alice surprised us as a modern well serviced town with a range of fancy shops and eateries.it didn’t feel like the “outback” at all. We contacted and met Jaz, the grand daughter of friends, who is teaching at a local primary school and we had a good chat about life and education while drinking coffee at the local Gloria Jean’s. We also discovered a great Italian bistro and pizzeria – La Casalinga in Gregory Terrace – we recommend their Veal Scallopini. Great service, good wine list and good menu.