Kings Canyon

Kings Canyon is about 300km from Uluru but is well worth the drive. Because of all the rain the scenery along the ranges was so pretty and green.

The caravan parks around Uluru and the Kings Canyon area are about the most expensive in Australia (besides Burns Beach!) but because of their remoteness it is understandable. Diesel was over $2 a litre here but we were very happy as we could explore Kings Canyon just a few kms away from the Kings Canyon resort caravan park.

We had to climb a VERY steep mountain to get to the top of "the rim walk" which took us about 4 hours. We happened to be climbing close to a small group of walkers who had the nicest, young guide with them. He didn't mind us joining them which was great as he explained all he knew about everything we saw along the way. We learnt so much even discovering that there was a crack between 2 rocks called "Priscilla's Crack"! We saw mistletoe growing at the top of the range, tiny flowers that hadn't flowered for 10 years because of drought, a "garden of eden" in the gorge, yellow crested pigeons and, of course, the AWESOME canyon with it's enormous, sheer walls. It was quite breathtaking. I would get butterflies in my stomach if I went too near the edge and had to look away if I felt anyone was too close. Chris lay on his stomach and lent over the edge while he took a photo. I couldn't look!

We were so lucky to have seen the canyon from the top of the range as the following 3 days the rain had set in and it would not have been possible to do the walk.

When the ghost gums are short of water they cut off water to certain"limbs" causing them to turn black. We saw a few of them here. I also loved the gnarled giant's toes that I spotted along the way.

Uluru - the rock

After seeing so many images of Uluru we were totally unprepared at how moved we both were at seeing it for real. We arrived before sunrise and left after sunset as there was no ways we were going to drive all the way and not see it at these times. It was well worth it and a very special experience.

We drove from a cattle station, Curtin Springs, which is 80 kms out of Yulara, the town around Uluru. We had to drive extremely carefully early in the morning as the kangaroos were out. We followed a couple for ages in our headlights. Coming back later at night the mice were all over the road. It was quite a sight as there are mice plagues all over Central Australia! Luckily none managed to get into our van but some did run over my shoes the night before at Curtin Springs!!

The "rock" is amazing as it just appears in the middle of the flattest landscape. We were truly awestruck by its formations and exceptional beauty. No image does justice to what it really looks like when it is seen for real. We chose not to climb it as those are the wishes of the Aboriginal owners though many people do. I think it's rather sad the way the "rock" has an ugly gouge up to the top where people have climbed it.

Once the sun had risen we made our way to the only other rock formations in the area, "The Olgas", where we decided to do a 7km walk - "The Valley of the Winds". It was tough going but awesome walking between huge rocky domes. The valley was filled with tiny finches flying everywhere. I was so proud of myself when the walk was over as the terrain was very rough and steep. We had done it!

While we were waiting for the sunset I actually bumped into an old friend of mine from St Anthonys. What a place for a random meeting!

I don't know when we will come back but it certainly is worth making the pilgrimage.

Alice Springs and surrounds

We loved Alice Springs and could happily live here....... though summer may be a bit difficult! We stayed at the "Winter Sun" caravan park which was exactly what we needed as the mornings and evenings were freezing. Our days in Alice reminded me exactly of Jo'burg's clear, winter days. I was sort of thrown back to earlier days!

There is so much to see in Alice that we will need to come back. A well equipped 4 wheel drive is a must as many places that can be visited can only be accessed by 4 wheel drive and a bit more time than what we had.

We spent a day driving, and hiking, through the West MacDonnell ranges (about 250kms) savouring all the sights - gorges, ancient ranges, Aboriginal ochre pits and amazing views.

There are so many Aboriginal galleries that by the time we left Chris had had enough!! We spent a whole day at the cultural centre which had galleries that were breathtaking. We also spent time walking through the aviation museum that had all sorts of interesting exhibits - John Flynn's RFDS plane that he used, an old DC3 and others. Unfortunately we didn't get to visit the RFDS as we were a little too late.

Watching the wrist control of a young Aboriginal girl painting at the Todd mall was amazing. We keep noticing that the Aboriginal people that are around don't talk to, or smile at "White" people at all. It must be cultural - very unlike the laughing and smiling of the Africans. Some locals said that there can be "trouble" around the town but everything we saw seemed to be quiet and peaceful. The whole town seemed so neat, clean and tidy. I also just managed to catch The Ghan as it was stopped at the station. (It travels between Adelaide and Darwin.)

The one thing we were sad about was that we weren't going to be in Alice for the Finke desert race. We have seen the constant arrival of bikes and cars from all over the place.

We'll have to come again another time.

Devil's Marbles

This is an amazing national park about 1 hr south of Tennant Creek. Luckily we arrived at the campground at about lunch time because by dinner time there was not a single spot left. Climbing and walking around the Devil's Marbles, watching them change colours at sunrise and sunset, and paying only $6.60 for the privilege is obviously why everyone chooses to stop.

The pictures tell it all.