Canyons, and Corrugations...

      

      

      We left Kings Canyon, after once again paying the Kings ransom that they call fuel prices.   We then headed towards the West McDonnell Rangers via the Mereeneie loop road.

       


We had asked a number of travellers about the road conditions, information was varied, with opinions of not too bad, pretty good, there’s a rough section – but not bad, and it's rough in spots.

      So, we took the punt, and elected to take the Loop Road, for the most part the road was rough, but nothing that wasn't unexpected.   The rough part……had corrugations you could camp in!!   

 

      After about 170 km of dust, rough gravel road , we arrived at Ormiston Gorge, where we camped for the night.   We took the walks along the gorge to the beautiful waterholes, and to the lookout overlooking the gorge.

Ormiston Gorge amazing!

Canyons and Sprngs...

      This morning we arose (not too early) and filled in our morning by driving to and then walking to Kathleen Springs, which is about 20 km south of Kings Canyon.

It is a very pleasant walking track into one of the many gorges in the area.  As we made our way into the gorge we passed remnants of the cattle yards and water tanks that were used by many of the local aboriginals who worked on the properties.

 

      These days farmers leave the stock to wander, and by an ingenious method of water herding, can let the stock muster themselves.   This involves yards, fences and water troughs, which the farmer can permit or deny stock access to water.   To bring stock in from outlying areas they close off access to water, forcing the stock to find the next available water.   When the stock have gathered there, they deny access to water, and the stock then move onto the next available source. (Generally closer to the homestead or yards, it works very well and with minimal need for stockmen.

Anyway, at the end of this delightful walk is a deep and still waterhole surrounded by a natural rock wall and a stand of tall grasses and trees. 

       After returning to the car we then travelled back to Kings Canyon, where we wandered along the dry bed of Kings Creek, again a very peaceful and pretty walk. 

 

       

This afternoon was spent doing a few household (or is that caravanhold?) chores, reading , yacking to the passers by, and generally relaxing.

Cruisin' the Canyon.....

This is day one at Kings Canyon, this morning we woke early and drove the short distance (10 km) to Kings Canyon car park.

The climb up to the rim of the canyon is very steep, although it is a constructed stone stairway, it is an effort to get there.   Once on the rim of the canyon it is undulating rock and again at times quite steep.

But, the views are magnificent!  We were at the top of the canyon for the sunrise and watching the sunlight creep over the tops of the rugged outcrops is truly a sight to behold.

There are numerous lookout spots with wonderful vistas.   We were glad that we made the effort to get there early.

We were back at the van for brunch, and time to rest some weary legs, a have a relaxing afternoon.

The Kings Canyon Resort is very remote being about 300 km from Uluru and about 280 km from the Stuart highway.   When we arrived at the park we were told not to leave foodstuff outside the van, because of dingoes.   There are signs around the place warning of the many dingoes that wander the area.   Mid- afternoon yesterday we saw one dragging someone’s rubbish bag away.

Last night we were told not to leave the weber out, as the dingoes are attracted to the smells.  A woman from one of the nearby vans either forgot or ignored the warning.  Apparently a dingo tried to drag her Weber into the bush.   We only found out, because the woman came running up to us yelling “Help! Help…..a dingoes got my barby…..”

 

Sorry couldn’t resist…..

Hoo Roo to Uluru...

The blog is running a little late due to the lack of phone and internet availability, but I will catch up over the next couple of days....

      This morning, Sunday, we departed Yulara Campground, and headed back through Curtin Springs, our ultimate destination, Kings Canyon.

      The road to and from Uluru was quite busy with cars, caravans, campervans and bicycles headed in both directions.

      By morning tea time, we had arrived at Curtin Springs, where we were greeted by a husband and wife team and their team of 5 camels.     They had trekked from the east coast to the west coast and were on the return journey.  That is one hell of a walk!  

      Shortly after morning tea, we left the Lassiter Highway and headed north towards Kings Canyon.

Once again the terrain was ever changing, and soon the escarpment came into view.

 

      Before long we arrived at the Kings Canyon Resort, and we set up and ready to relax in no time.

Round the Rock.......

      Today we took in the sights of the area, we travelled the 18 km from the Ayres Rock Campground to Uluru, purchased our 3 day pass and arrived at the base of the rock.

      We had a wander through the cultural centre, and then parked the car for the morning.   I elected to join the hundred or so other people and fulfilled a long-term goal of climbing the rock.   As the climb is to be fully closed in October 2019, this will be my only chance of doing so.  

     Bev elected to stay on the ground and do a spot of people watching and read a good book.

The climb itself was quite challenging, but very enjoyable.  It really is a steep climb, but the views from the top are more than remarkable.

      
   I started my climb at 10:55am and was back down at 1:25pm.  It is certainly a workout, I don’t think I’ll have any trouble sleeping tonight.

        

After lunch at the cultural centre we took a drive around the base of the rock, stopping to take photos and go on one of the many walks in the area.

       Later in the afternoon we returned to the van, did a few daily chores, then packed up drinks and nibbles and headed out to the sunset viewing area.  We were soon joined by hundreds of other visitors.  

Steping out at the Camel Cup...

This morning we took part in the Marla walk, a Ranger guided walk part way around the base of Uluru.   Adam, our guide, is a Park Ranger and a local aboriginal man.   

The walk was very informative, covering topics of bush tucker, aboriginal history and the creation story.   He explained the ways aboriginal families taught life skills, and history by using those things found in the area as teaching aids.

 

After lunch we went to the Uluru Camel Cup.  People came from all over the district to witness the spectacle.   

It was amazing, the ladies in their finery, the gents in their best attire…except for this bloke…….

 

This evening we again witnessed the sunset at the rock, another spectacular light show....

Out to the Olgas....

Today we ventured out to Kata Tjuta (the Olgas).   We walked the Valley of the Winds and took in the views from the Karu and Karingana Lookouts

The scenery around here is, I think, even better than the Ayres Rock, there are a lot more nooks and crannies and a lot more vegetation.

 

Bev and I have both been surprise by the lack of wildlife in the area.   We haven’t seen a live kangaroo the entire trip, no lizards, no snakes, we did see about 10 or 12 emus just north of Port Augusta, but nothing since.

 

The walks in and around the Olgas took up a good chunk of the day, we arrived back at the van late afternoon, completed a few chores, for this evening we are off to “Field of lights” for canapés, drinks, and from all reports a beautiful array of lights backdropped by Ayres Rock.   

Just back from the “Field of Lights” display, a magnificent spectacle, the smoked kangaroo, camel and carrot canapés were particularly delicious.   The field of light is a display of 50,000 glass spheres set amongst the dunes and spinifex.  

 

We returned to the van for a good feed and a relaxed evening.   Tomorrow we are going to do the Ranger guided short tour at the Rock, and then head to the Uluru Camel Cup!