Northern Territory

The Big Red Rock, Uluru!

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After waking up at Agnus Creek we made it back on the road toward Uluru.  We hit the border soon after we left only to take a selfie posing on the sign.  Once across the border we knew the rock was close by, the landscape around us was changing to a deeper red and the sand dunes were phenomenal (nothing like the white sands back home!).  A quick pull over to the side of the road and we bagged ourselves some red sand!  Another landmark along this track was another mass of rock which has been mistaken to be Uluru by many a tourist (even an asian tourist which seemed very excited when we pulled up to the lookout), it was Mt Conner.

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After a busy day of driving and shenanigans, we decided to pull into a camp spot about an hour from Uluru by the name of Curtain Springs.  Here we fended off a swarm of flies before really relaxing to a book and seeing the evening out for an early night in bed as the next morning we were to be up at the crack of dawn..

The next morning we were off!  Straight down the highway to see Uluru just as the sun was rising.  We went through the park gates and bam, the rock was in our sights. Totally awe inspiring to say the least, and it only got better and better as we approached closer and closer.  Once at the base of the great land mass of Uluru, we achieved the 10.6km base walk which gave us an even greater sight of the great beast in all of its glory.

Once we had returned from our walk we crept over to the sunset carpark and had a lazy afternoon while waiting for the sun to set.  As sun down was upon us the parking lot turned into a mass of cars and other tourists.  Everyone gathered around to see what Uluru had in store for us next.  As we again clumbered on the roofracks with a beer in tow, we sat and admired the view.  “Out of this world” would be a good way to put it with the shots on the left of the next collage.  As the sun set, colours changed, starting from a dull red, to yellow, to a dark dull red, to a vivid stunning blood orange.

We then tucked ourselves in a free bush camp 15 minutes from the park where we reflected on the massive day passed.

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The next day we made our way back into the park to visit another large formation of rocks known to the Aboriginals as Kata Tjuta.  We completed the 7.4km walk around this great landscape of rocks in a different form being it was very rocky and uneven terrain as it guided you through the sacred “domes” of the native tribe.  As you can tell by the fly nets (best seven bucks anyone would spend!) it seemed like there was a plague.  Even with this difficult path and trying conditions we managed to make it around and see the wonders KataTjuta had to offer.  Some might even of said these are as or even more impressive than Uluru itself..

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South Australia

Toward the Border!

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As we keep burning up the red centre toward our first major goal being Uluru we pulled over to a lookout to find an amazing sight of a lake.  Like aliens had been there, at the lookout past the fence line was a strange assortment of rock piles.  As we had a little time on our hands we decided that it was only fair to build one of these rock piles ourselves to add to the illusion of aliens..

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After our engineering degrees were complete, we made it another 200 odd kilometers along the road to find ourselves at Agnus Creek.  Here you may as well of said throw us in a TV 4×4 show.  The sunset along the desert country horizon while we cooked damper in a camp oven on the open fire was spectacular and ever so relaxing.  Once we were satisfied with a serving of crisp yet fluffy damper (with butter and golden syrup of coarse) we made our way to bed knowing in only a couple of days Uluru would be before our eyes…

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South Australia

Into the Opal Caves

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As we left the small roadhouse of Pimba we found ourselves back on the Stuart Hwy and into a minefield of rubble piles and scattered “Blowers” (Machines to “blow” out the soil from the holes of the miners).  Not too far from these sights was the town of Coober Pedy.  Many would call it a ghost town as 70% of the population is housed underground.  We soon discovered the reason for this is the unbearable heat, desert like conditions and thousands of flies!!

Here we went on a private tour around Faye’s Underground Dugout she once called home.  This was a quaint little house and a good example of what life would have been back in the day, when she had first helped with the establishment of the town and hand dug (with two other girlfriends) her home.  Note the indoor living room swimming pool!  They also took us down Faye’s mine for part of the tour and showed and explained how opal mining worked and even pieces of opal that were still in the walls of the mine!

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We then found a local campground where we were able to set up camp and reminisce on the days events..

Interesting Road Trip Viewing:

On the way back out on the main drag we came across the beautiful site by the name of The Breakaways.  This “backdrop” shot was used in a few commercials and even made an appearance in Mad Max III.

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South Australia

To the Big Red Rock!

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After slipping away from the Murray we delved into a spot by the name of Bowmans Park.  Here we were able to do some small walks to the lookout and through an old abandoned homestead.  Then we gathered some wood and crank up a fire to get a stew going.  After a few hours of sitting in the coals, it came up a treat.  We also bumped in an old spider mate who seemed to be hiding in our chairs!

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After a one night stay here we made it over to Port Augusta to restock before heading north.  We quickly discovered that Port Augusta was home to the NQR.  Very humble and willing to help but just a little off centre.  This wasn’t just our view as afew days later after bumping into a couple from Adelaide, they confirmed this.

Once we had a bit of a culture shock we disappeared straight up the Stuart Hwy toward Uluru.  Being so far away still, we stopped at a Roadhouse by the name of Pimba where we stumbled into a minute portion of the Grey Army.  Here we set up camp and quickly jumped on the roof rack with some nibblies and our beers to watch the sun set over the caravans and into the desolate distance.

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South Australia

Another beautiful morning

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Waking up to another tough sight of the Murray at a little town by the name of Cadell as all we can hear are birds in the background.  Unfortunately we didn’t always have this view as an uninvited house  boat dropped in on our front door yesterday arvo whilst there was plenty of other landings for it to do so.  As you can see Nays view of the Murray was not the same after this.

Just to add to the dramas, as Mark was grabbing some dinner out of the camper he heard what sounded like rain land on the roof of the box.  Stepping outside he quickly realised that there were clear skies.  Abit puzzled he then heard some “clunking” noises on the roof of the car.  Then shining his torch in the tree, Mark saw the culprit, a possum up in the highest branch of the above tree had decided to take a toilet stop!  After putting two and two together, the possum had clearly gone for a number 1 and 2 toilet break..

Nevertheless the house boat departed early morning and skies cleared to allow us a great spot for breakfast and to ponder where our next stop will be..

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South Australia

We’ve finally left!

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On the Road!!

So after abit of delay with a weeks worth of setting up we finally hit the road on Friday and have cruised along into South Australia where we found a beautiful spot beside a lake.  We had acouple of short stay overs along the way at Koorooya State Park and the Murray at Buxton’s Bend.  Keep posted for our updates along the way and see what adventures we come accross as we continue along the road to the Northern Territory!!