Freedom in the Outback: Alice Springs, Central Australia

One of the blessings of the outback is uncluttered space. The clear sky, the reaches of unrestrained land, and the sense of adventure as you leave town for a trip into the surrounding country are part of the lifestyle of Alice Springs in Central Australia. 

The beauty of where we live brings positivity to our experiences. We often take it for granted, yet we need to look at it with fresh eyes, as the uncertainty of the times means we don't know how long we will hold it with unfettered hands. The blue sky might change to dark storm clouds and the long dusty days turn into inky nights. We are part of this environment and we feel the effects of each of its changes. Nothing lasts forever, but those who have once known freedom carry its memory within them, unforgotten, and they press forward to feel its joy again.

Within closed borders: The landscape of Central Australia

For almost all of the past twenty-four months, around Australia, freedom has been reduced in many places for various reasons. People have shown resilience thus far. Closed borders have meant that the welcoming of new travelers to the outback has been delayed and few can leave. The difficulty of having family and friends so far away has been an unseen burden. There is hope now that things will change, but no one has a crystal ball.

Sealed borders have meant that movement in and out of such a remote location has been reduced. At certain times over the past two years, Alice Springs has felt like its own island, cut off from the rest of the world. However, this year, the sun and the rain have still come, and the coolness of winter in the Central Desert has passed. We now face a fierce summer and already the heat has begun to take its toll. When we look to the challenges around Australia, we remember that no matter what goes on outside us, within us, we stay strong. 

Alice Springs offers opportunities for work, new experiences, and a chance to live in the boundless outback. Regardless of the future, and despite what the past has been, I know that we have been free and connected to other cities and countries before, and so we will again.