Our Partners Program in 2007 has been designed to reflect the pace of things in Alice Springs and to avoid some of the harsher aspects of the Northern Territory climate.
The program aims to have everyone back at their hotel by around 3.00 p.m. each day so they can enjoy the hottest part of the day relaxing – either in their room or by the pool. No more rushing to get ready for the evening function - we are trying to make it a more enjoyable time.
If you’re not one to sit around by the pool, there’s still plenty to do and the Conference Committee is determined to help, with ideas, options and transport.
Just give us a call – 1300 760 815.
Wednesday, October 24th
Welcome Party
What a wonderful way to commence the conference by welcoming delegates and partners with a traditional “Welcome to Alice Springs” performance; by the Lhere Artepe Aboriginal Corporation.
It will be an evening filled with activity as performers from the local Atweme Youth Drum and Dance group present songs and stories based on their own language and cultural identity.
There will be special local guests of a different kind also making an appearance; some furry, some scaly, some big and small. Get exclusively close to these guests like never before
Thursday 24th October
Morning
The Alice Springs Desert Park is a delightful introduction to Central Australia. In the space of just a few hours, you can discover many of the secrets of the Central Australian deserts and get a true insight into this wonderful land.
There is a variety of activities for everyone to enjoy; partake in a leisurely guided walking tour, browse in the gift shop, visit the nocturnal house or take a cinematic journey through four and a half billion years of desert evolution.
Professional guides, including local Aborigines, share stories of the region with visitors.
You can also enjoy displays of free-flying birds of prey, view the unique animals in the nocturnal house, and see the innovative interpretation of the plants, animals and people of the Australian deserts.
Don’t forget to visit the Gift Shop to get a special memento of your outing. The Gift Shop provides a wide range of quality souvenirs such as toys, clothing, hats, books, jewellery and all kinds of knick-knacks to help you remember your journey to the Alice Springs Desert Park and Central Australia.
To ensure a pleasant day’s exploration, wear walking shoes, a sun hat, and sunglasses and carry lots of water before heading out into the habitats.
The Park has shade shelters, shaded aviaries, and water fountains throughout the habitat walks, plus air-conditioning within the nocturnal house, exhibition centre and café.
An experience to remember!
Then
Relax in the cool air and have a bite to eat at Madigans Restaurant located on site at the Alice Springs Desert Park.
Madigans Restaurant has been designed to reflect and embrace the iconic Central Australian landscape with 180 degree views through 8m high floor to ceiling windows; you’ll feel as if you could reach out and touch the breathtaking MacDonnell Ranges.
The restaurant is famous for serving some of the most tastebud tantalizing Territorian cuisine around which are as delicious and they are impressive. Dishes incorporate many different styles of cooking, designed to reflect the unique location in which they are served. Native foods are combined with the freshest of gourmet ingredients, to produce a mouth-watering selection of dishes for you to choose from.
Choices include Borroloola Barramundi with Desert Lime Salsa and Red Centre Beef Fillet with Native Pepperleaf Glaze.
After the two course lunch, visitors have the chance to relax. Our aim is to have you nicely rested, maybe by the pool, ready for the night time fun.
Evening - "Your Competitive Pride at Steak"
The banks of the Todd River are the scene for the CCF Henley-on-Todd.
It’s a Northern Territory tradition with "boatraces" with bottomless boats, carried by contestants across the bone dry riverbed. Join in, have fun, or just enjoy the hilarity from under the shade of gum trees.
It’s ‘Competitive Pride at Steak’ since later we will be enjoying steaks for dinner!
As the sun starts to set against the magnificent scenery, join us at the historic Alice Springs Telegraph Station.
Friday 26th October
Morning
- Option 1
Follow-up your introduction to the rich history of Alice Springs at the Telegraph Station with a three-hour hop-on, hop-off coach landmark tour that will include the original base for the Royal Doctor Service, the uniquely Australian School of the Air and the outback Pioneer Women’s Centre. - Option 2
A camel tour is a unique way to explore the diverse Alice Springs landscape. Frontier Camel Tours have tailored a one hour ride to allow you to truly relax and unwind whilst swaying at a leisurely pace high on a camels back.
Camels were introduced to the outback in the 1840’s by the Afghans to carry anything and everything under the sun for the townspeople. They carried huge loads of fuel, building materials, furniture and foods across the vast desert and were considered the lifeline of the Outback. Now days the camels are mainly used for tours however as you might be luckily enough to see, there are still 200,000 camels roaming the Australian Outback!
The dry, sandy Todd River bed is lined with ancient eucalupts trees set against the MacDonnell Ranges making this a special place to ride.
How many people can say they have ridden a camel down a dry riverbed in the Northern Territory? Well, you will now be able to say you have!
The tour is guaranteed to be a educational and worthwhile experience and is perfect for all ages, shapes and sizes. After a 1 hour ride you will understand why they describe the camel as “a horse designed by a committee” and why it was worked so successfully in Outback Australia.
Afternoon
Partners and our non-golfing delegates will join us for Lunch and an afternoon plenary session with our special guest speaker.
Evening - “Top Hats & Tails, Tiaras and Thongs”
It could only happen in the Outback, it’s a fifty-fifty dance gone mad.
You are invited to put on all of your “finery fit for royalty” – well from the waist up and match it with your best “boardshorts and thongs” to dance the night away at Ooraminna Homestead – an authentic Australian cattle station.
After half an hours from drive from Alice down the rich red dirt track you will arrive at the historic homestead where you will be greeted with refreshments and a spectacular sunset over the Ooraminna Ranges.
We guarantee that you will be overwhelmed by the authentic country hospitality, station style cooking, picturesque scenery and impressive entertainment.
A delicious feast fit for a king or queen will be served under a spectacular canopy of stars - A unique and exciting way to experience real outback dinning. A HUGE selection of food is offered so there is bound to be something that tickles your taste buds. Choices include marinated prime scotch fillet steak with bush dukkah, char grilled barramundi with sweet chilli & lemon myrtle, kangaroo fillet dusted with wattleseed – just to name a few!
We top off the night with a burst of entertainment.
Saturday 27th October
Morning – Something unique; A morning tour of the stunningly beautiful Simpsons Gap.
An early morning walk through the sandy river bed, white gums and red wall canyons before enjoying a “sit down” to talk about the history, culture and art of this unique region with local women of the Western Arrernte tribe. (The Aboriginal custodians of Simpson’s gap)
Afternoon - Young Guns
Meet for lunch in the Ghan Foyer Amphitheatre before its time to dress-up and step out to experience the excitement of race day – desert style.
“The Young Guns” race meeting is an annual event in conjunction with local radio stations to promote the turf club and provides top-class action on and off the track. It’s a time when everyone is encouraged to put Flemington to shame and enjoy a colourful day at the races.
Evening - The CCF Earth Awards Gala Night
To conclude the conference in style, a formal dinner will be held at the Ghan for the presentation of the CCF Earth Awards for Excellence in Civil Construction. The evening will commence with pre-drinks, followed by a superb three course meal and entertainment.
This enchanting evening will be filled with sensational music, sumptuous food, delectable beverages, fantastic entertainment and most importantly the announcement of the Earth Award National Winner.
The Awards have been revamped and are being supported by a new team of sponsors powered by our major sponsor – Hitachi and supported by Volvo / CJD, Hyundai Construction Equipment, Traffic Technologies and GE Commercial Finance.
Get ready for an evening that will be sure to impress
Sunday 28th October
Morning
Join us for the official Poolside Farewell Brunch at Lasseters Casino; we will have you well fed for your next journey whether this is the end of your visit of just a stepping stone on a tour of the Outback.
Flights from Alice on a Sunday go direct to Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth and Darwin.