Tuesday...An early start today - we joined about 500 others to catch the sunrise over the rock from the sunrise viewing area. To me, this wasn't as impressive as the sunset yesterday. The light show didn't really pull the same punch. Sunrise over here is very late (0730) compared to what I'm used to at home. We returned to camp for a bacon and eggs breakfast before heading out for the day. Firstly, we headed out to take in the sights at The Olgas (Kata Tjuta) where we did the walk up Walpa Gorge. As I drove up to the Olgas, I was taken by the size of what I'd describe as Uluru's little brother in noteriety. But it surely holds its own in the 'awe' stakes.The walls of Walpa Gorge are massive at, I'd guess, 200-250m high either side of you. Being so high and very close, it's difficult to capture on image.After a picnic lunch at the Olgas, we headed over to big brother - Ayers Rock (Uluru). Les was all geared up to climb it but when we got there, it was closed to climbers due to high winds at the summit. Apparently, it was closed only a short time before we got there. Although this didn't stop some idiots. They jumped the fence and scaled it anyway. So we just sat and took in the sight up close. It's truly a sight to behold. Les and Barb went back to camp while Judy and I took the drive around the rock and a walk into a small waterhole on the northern side of the rock.On the way back to camp, I decided to fill up. Monopoly market out here on diesel - the Shell charges $2.08 per litre for diesel. By far the dearest fuel in all of Australia that we have travelled in the past 5 weeks over 9500 km. When I say by far, until yesterday, we have been averaging $1.68 per litre for the trip. Premium Unleaded was $2.12 and Unleaded was $2.04 per litre. Ridiculous!!! Tomorrow we head to Kings Canyon for a look see and camp but after we pack up, we will make another trip to the rock for a last ditch attempt to climb it. In any case, I don't think I'm up for it and nor is Barb. However, Les is pretty keen and Judy is going to give it a try.
Links:Google Maps reference is -25 14.167, 130 59.417See more images at... https://picasaweb.google.com/106361511620108780730/Day3207082012
Monday...
Today, we all had stuff to do before venturing further. I got a new chair, Les did an oil change (in the K-Mart carpark). The girls went shopping for some more food supplies. It turns out that today is a public holiday in the Northern Territory. So I was informed when I sat out front of the Opposite Lock shop at 0930 and the doors were shut. A bloke came along on his pushie and asked if he could help. He just happened to be coming in to catch up on some work on the day off. Anyway, he opened up and sold me a chair and gave me a good price to boot.
At around 1100, we set off for the 'rock'.
After only a lunch stop, we arrived at the Yulara Camping Ground a bit before 1700. Yulara is a resort (almost a small town) which has been established to contain the tourist inundation in a single 'caged' area within the confines of the National Park area. To get to the rock from here, you pass through a check point style gatehouse where you either show or purchase your pass. A 3 day pass costs $25 to access the Uluru / Kata Tjuta Park.
Judy and I set off to catch a glimpse of the sunset over Ayers Rock. When you approach this monolith, you get a sense of awe in it's presence. I can't help but wonder what the first human thought when they first stumbled upon this phenomenon. Its chameleon like appearance as the sun changes position in the sky is amazing. While we were there, it changed from orange to red to brown in a space of about three quarters of an hour.
Very impressive!
Links:
Google Maps reference is -25 14.167, 130 59.417
See more images at... https://picasaweb.google.com/106361511620108780730/Day3106082012
Sunday...
Pretty spectacular sunrise today. We set off at about 0700 this morning as we had a big drive ahead of us. We made it to 'the Alice' at 1700. On the way, we took some time out at the Devil's Marbles (Karlu Karlu). This gem on the landscape is very photogenic - I couldn't help myself. Devils Marbles is a series of piles of giant granite boulders scattered over about 1800 hectares near Wauchope on the Stuart Highway. Interesting place.
We spent about an hour and a half including lunch and then plugged on further south.
Tonight, we are camped at the MacDonnell Range Holiday Park in Alice Springs.
Geez I think it's gonna be chilly in the morning!!! It's 10 degrees now at 2130 and time for bed. See ya tomorrow!
Links:
Google Maps reference is -23 43.933, 133 52.217
See more images at... https://picasaweb.google.com/106361511620108780730/Day3005082012
Saturday...
The plan for today was to make as much ground towards the south as we could. We left Katherine Gorge at around 0800 and pulled up stumps at a small clearing on the side of the Stuart highway about 140km north of Tennant Creek.
Along the way, we dropped into the Daly Waters Pub for lunch. Daly Waters pub is a popular little spot. From the outside, it's an typical but interesting little bush watering hole. Inside, there is wall to wall memorabilia from years past and token donations from past visitors. The walls and ceiling/roof are not visible due to an adornment of caps, socks, undies, currency (coins and notes), shirts, x-rays (yes), patches, badges, medals, business cards, trousers - you name it. In history corner, there's an old telephone exchange, pots, billies, kettles, boots and lots of other old stuff. Anyway, you get the gist - just full of all sorts of crap. We had a look around, had a burger and left.
Our drive took us where we are now, as I said, somewhere on the highway. We got here at around 1630 having had enough for the day.
Tomorrow, we plug on towards the south.
Links:
Google Maps reference is -18 14.267, 133 44.901
See more images at... https://picasaweb.google.com/106361511620108780730/Day2904082012
Friday...End of the fourth week on the road today.Today was a chill day. We started the day with a two hour breakfast cruise up and down Nitmiluk Gorge (Katherine Gorge). Leaving at 0700, we saw the full moonset and sunrise over the gorge. Very peaceful experience. Unless you take a cruise or canoe along the gorge, I don't think you would get to appreciate its entire beauty. There are very long walks for those that way inclined - not me!After we returned, we just hung around the campsite and did a few chores and repairs. Les and I took a short walk up to the closest lookout - still quite a steep climb though.Tomorrow, we head south as far as we can get and see where we land.Lots of photos today - enjoy!
Links:Google Maps reference is -14 19.067, 132 25.233See more images at... https://picasaweb.google.com/106361511620108780730/Day2803082012
