Free entry into the renowned Alice Springs Desert Park has been arranged for all delegates from Wednesday 1st to Saturday 4th November. A 20% discount off the regular $20 admission has also been arranged from Sunday 5th to Saturday 11th November. This is a great opportunity to see this internationally acclaimed attraction. The Desert Park is open 7.30am to 6pm daily. For more information, contact ph: (08) 8951 8788 or follow this link to their website.

Transport to and from Alice Springs Desert Park

On Wednesday 1st November ONLY, Anangu Waai! will provide a dedicated bus service from all Alice Springs hotels to the Alice Springs Desert Park for delegates of the Desert Knowledge Symposium.

Cost: $25.00 per person RETURN
Pickup/Drop-off Points: All Alice Springs accommodation
Operation Times: 12:00pm first pickup UNTIL 5:00pm last pickup from Desert Park
Bookings: Ph: 0428 608 768. NO discounts apply for this transfer

From Thursday 2nd until Friday 10th November, Desert Tours and Transfers will be offering a 10% discount on transfers between Alice Springs hotels and the Alice Springs Desert Park for delegates of the Desert Knowledge Symposium.

Cost: 10% discount off usual rate
Requirements: MUST show Desert Knowledge name badge as proof of registration to the Symposium.
Bookings: Ph: (08) 8952 4667. NO other discounts apply. Offer not valid for any other service offered by Desert Tours and Transfers

Alice Springs Convention Centre, 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm
A complimentary welcome reception for all delegates will be held at the Alice Springs Convention Centre from 6.00pm to 7.30pm on Wednesday 1st November. Traditional dancers from the Lhere Artepe Aboriginal Corporation, the representative body for the Native Title Holders for the Municipality of Alice Springs, will welcome all attendees and people of other Aboriginal and Indigenous Nations to Alice Springs to the Symposium.

Be entertained by the explosive sound of Drum Atweme, a drumming group made up of Alice Springs Town Camp children, aged between 7 and 13 years of age, with direction from Peter Lowson, Youth Services Coordinator at Tangentyere Council.

Wearable Art outfits from the recent Wearable Arts Acquisition Awards in Alice Springs will be paraded throughout the reception. You are sure to enjoy the creative genius of Alice Springs residents in the array of materials and shapes on display.

All attendees should have confirmed their attendance at this reception at the time of registration. If you have not done so and would still like to attend, please inform the staff at the registration desk immediately.

Ellery Room, Alice Springs Convention Centre, 6:45 pm – 10:30 pm
The official Symposium dinner, sponsored by Telstra Country Wide, will be held at the Alice Springs Convention Centre from 7.00 pm to 10.30pm. The cost of the dinner is included in the full registration fee.

There is an outback theme for the dinner. Keep this in mind as you pack your bag to travel to the outback.

Pre-dinner drinks will be held from 7.00 - 7.30pm outside in the Convention Centre Amphitheatre. Men and women from the Janganpa Dance Group will perform a spectacular and dramatic traditional dance, accompanied by traditional singers and music sticks. Their dancing will mesmerise you, as they tell stories of possum hunting and food gathering.

Entertainment throughout the night will feature a string quartet, award-winning story-telling and comic theatre.

All attendees should have confirmed their attendance at the dinner at the time of registration. If you have not done so and would still like to attend, please inform the staff at the registration desk by 6.00pm on Wednesday 1st November. Late bookings are limited. Additional tickets for partners and guests are $42 per person.

FREE PUBLIC EVENT
Alice Springs Convention Centre, 4:30 pm – 8:00 pm

Art Market

Featuring art and artists from central Australia, the Art Market is brought to the Symposium by desArt, the Association of Central Australian Aboriginal Art and Craft Centres. Australian Aboriginal art is now recognised in both Australia and internationally as one of the world’s most exciting art movements. DesArt member Art Centres are owned and managed by Aboriginal people in their own communities.

Those looking for that special Christmas present can choose from a wide range of vibrant art works and craft items.

A range of Aboriginal arts centres will be selling their wares, with most items under $200.

There will be fun for all the family, with Tangentyere Circus performing their new clowning show, balloons and more.

Business Showcase

Also on disply to the public between 4.30 pm and 8.00pm, is the Business Showcase. Over 50 businesses and organisations from across the nation will show off clever desert solutions, bright ideas, new products and great services at the Business Showcase.

Displays include the latest in communication technologies, aboriginal art, training services, film, sustainable building, bush foods, mining and tourism businesses, and much more. Try out the free internet telephone to call home.

This is a great opportunity for business people to build new networks, share ideas and do business with the desert

It's all happening at the Alice Springs Convention Centre straight after work on Friday 3 rd November. Entry is free and food and bar facilities will be available.