ALICE SPRINGS 

 THURSDAY 29TH MAY

Today we visited the Aralaen Cultural Centre in Alice Springs which showcases aboriginal art and has some paintings by Albert Namatjira. The museum was very interesting presenting an introduction into the natural history of the area and has some great displays on the birds and animals of the region.
The Strehlow Research Centre gives a fascinating insight into the life of this man who was one of the first anthropologists to travel through this area and document footage of the songs and ceremonies of the local Arrente (pronouned An-anda) people the local tribe to the area.

FRIDAY 30TH MAY

Visited the 'west mac's' today or the West Macdonnell Ranges. We drove 130kms along Namatjira Drive which seemed like 30 minutes to me (no traffic lights) and arrived at Ormiston Gorge. All the gorges we are seeing today except Standley and Simpsons Gap are located along this road and you can camp in most of them for a small fee or nothing. From the carpark we walked up to the lookout. From here you could see right along the gorge and the view is magnificent. From there we travelled to the Ochre pits which is the spot where the local Aboriginal people got their ochre for ceremonies and dances. Because it is ceremonial you are not allowed to touch or disturb the ochre in any way.
The next gorge we visited was Serpentine which is reached along a bumpy red dirt track for about 3kms. Then a walk through a valley and a climb to the top of a sheer cliff. Really getting our exercise today.
Next up Ellery Big Hole a short walk from the carpark and people were dotted around on the grass surrounding the waterhole and some teenagers were swimming and screaming because it is very cold!! There were about 10 lots of people camping here. There are also toilets and water available here.
Standley Chasm is 50kms from Alice and is managed by the Aboriginal people. Camping here is $15 night with power. The walk to the Chasm takes about 15 minutes where you are greeted by steep slopes rising up to a height of about 80m. Entry fee to the site is $10 per person. There is also a kiosk and toilet block here.
Simpsons gap is the closest gorge to Alice. You can ride your bike here on the bike track all the way to the park - about 25kms. There is a visitors centre, picnic area and a chance to spy the elusive black-footed rock wallaby which if you are patient can be seen amongst the rocks above the riverbed.

 Ormiston Gorge

 The Ochre Pits

 Serpentine Gorge

 Ellery Big Hole

 Standly Chasm

Simpsons Gap

ALICE SPRINGS DESERT PARK 

While Keith went off to watch the footy match on here between Melbourne and Port Adelaide I went off to the Desert Park.  The park consists of three different areas, woodland, sand country and desert rivers. The guide presentations were very interesting one on bush tucker and animals and another was about the dingo and presenting their 2 dingo pups (brother and sister). The presentation on local birds was very interesting featuring magpie, stone curlew, kestrel, hawk and barnowl.  Macdonnell Ranges is right behind the park and affords a picturesque view. The birds here are truly free flight and are only coming in for little rewards and are free to fly away at will.

ALICE SPRINGS 

MONDAY 26TH MAY

Got our bikes out today and rode up to Anzac Hill. Anzac Hill is the site of the war memorial and affords magnificent views of the whole town of Alice Springs and the surrounding McDonnell Ranges. Anzac Hill is a great place to watch the sunrise or sunset or have a wedding which was going on when we were there.

TUESDAY 27TH MAY 

Today we visited the School of the Air. When we arrived we were shown a short video and saw two teachers giving their lessons to their students live to air.
We then visited the Old Telegraph Station which was established in 1872 to relay messages from Adelaide to Darwin. The station operated until 1932 when it became a welfare home for Aboriginal half caste children. The home operated until 1963. Behind the Telegraph station is the dry Todd River and the 'Alice Spring' after which the town was named.

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OLIVE PINK BOTANIC GARDEN 

Olive Pink is an arid zone botanic garden which was foundered by the prominent anthropologist Olive Pink. The garden has more than 500 local plants, bush tucker and medicinal plants. The gardens are very quiet and peaceful with seats placed in tranquil places where native birds and kangeroos can be observed. There is also a lovely cafe called the Bean Tree where you can have a refreshing cuppa.

The Alice Springs Golf Club.

Karrots played in a 9 hole comp with 3 great locals. The course was very lush with great bunkers and greens. The rough was littered with massive rocks and tussock type grasses. They recommend that you carry a rock wedge in your bag. He enjoyed the game and finding out a bit of inside knowledge of the town from the locals.

KINGS CANYON RESORT - SATURDAY 24TH MAY

Woke after a night filled with strange yips and howls of the dingoes somewhere out in the wilderness behind the caravan park. I find it a really eerie sound and a bit disconcerting because I'm not used to it only the barks of domestic dogs at home and this is quite different. This morning we left fairly early as we planned to do the rim walk. The rim walk takes you right to the top of the canyon and gives spectacular views over the canyon and surrounding area. The walk is 6km long and the time given to do it is 3 to 4 hours. We wanted to do it early as the forecast was for a hot day. The walk begins with steep stone steps to the top of the canyon and as it was Saturday I was reminded that I was not with my running group but was doing my Saturday morning exercise climbing those steps and I certainly was short of breath when I got to the top.
The climb was well worth the huffing and puffing because the views were breathtaking and we took a number of photos on the way around. Around the 3km part of the walk you descend some steep stairs and have views into a shaded area of the canyon where you find a tranquil shady pool surround by ferns and cycads and a waterfall that tumbles into the pool from above.
When we completed the walk ( it took us 3 hours ) the temperature was around the 28C mark so we returned to the Caravan Park for a refreshing dip in the freezing pool!!GRR

FRIDAY 23RD MAY - KINGS CANYON

This morning we packed up and left Yulara and the rock behind and headed to Kings Canyon arriving about 1.15pm. We stayed at the Kings Canyon Resort which was an all inclusive caravan park with great views over the ranges. That afternoon we drove to the Canyon walks area and did the one hour canyon walk which follows the creek bed meandering around to the end of the canyon affording views of the orange rocks and gums lining the canyon. At the end of the path there is a viewing platform where you can sit in the peace and quiet of the valley and listen to the bird song, the wind and the silence. A very special place.

MORE VIEWS OF ULURU

ROCK ART

THE CHAIN FOR THE CLIMB UP ULURU

ULARA - THURSDAY 22ND MAY

This morning we visited the Information Centre in Yulara and checked out the displays there. We walked through the hotels and then returned to the campsite for lunch. We then took a drive out to Uluru a 20km drive from the campground and took a few more shots.
Tonight we are attending the 'Sounds of Silence' dinner which is held every night of week. It begins with a 10 minute coach trip after picked up from our accommodation down a private dirt road to a sunset location overlooking Uluru. We were then served champagne and canapes and watched the sunset over the rock to the melodic beat from a talented didgeridoo player. Whilst we were here watching the sunset we got chatting to a young couple from Canada, James and Alisha and decided to form a party of four. We were joined at the table by two other couples (newly weds) one couple from England, the other from Italy. The wine, beer and champagne flowed and we were treated to a traditional Aboriginal dance performance followed by a 3 course bushtucker inspired buffet.
After dinner we were treated to an exploration of the night sky by an astronomer pointing out the constellations in the magnificent display of stars above us with a laser. He also had telescopes trained on Saturn for us to look through.
We really enjoyed the night but it was over to soon. So after dessert, port and coffee we filed back to the coach and were ferried back to our accommodation. An Anniversary night to remember.

AYERS ROCK CAMPGROUND - 20TH MAY 2014

Arose at 6am this morning and drove out for sunrise at the rock purchasing a 3 day pass ($50) on the way in. Sunrise was at 7.17am this morning and by the time we got out to the sunrise viewing platform there were many people and about 3 tour buses already there. It was first in best dressed for the best viewing spots. I even had one lady tell me that spot at the rail was reserved when I stepped in to take a photo! As it was a cloudy morning the sunrise probably wasn't as spectacular as it usually would be but it was still pretty amazing and awe inspiring. I understand now what people say about this place being special. It certainly has a presence about it that is hard to describe. After taking photos we had our breakfast at the carpark that we had prepared earlier and a coffee and drove around to an area called the Mala carpark for the free guided walk which was very informative. The walk took around an hour to complete. The Mala carpark is where the climb starts. You can see the chain going up the side of the rock and it is straight up.The traditional owners the Anangu people regard Uluru as a sacred place and they do not wish people to climb it. It has not been ruled out completely yet but by 2020 no-one will be allowed to climb it. There has also been quite a few deaths that have happened to people while climbing Uluru so it can be very dangerous as well particularly when it is windy.  There is a 10km walk around the base of the rock which is supposed to take 3 hours but I did it in an hour and a half. A pleasant walk as long as it's not too hot.

 Uluru at sunrise.

THE OLGAS KATA TJUTA - 21ST MAY 2014

This morning we took a 50km drive out to the Olgas or the Anangu name Kata Tjuta meaning 'many heads'  was formed by cracks caused by weathering and erosion over the years. This wore away the rocks above the cracks to produce the rounded domes of the Olgas. The Olgas has 36 domes the highest rising 546m above the plain. The main walk here is called 'Valley of the Winds'. It is advertised as being a difficult walk taking approximately 4 hours to complete. We ended up just going up to the first lookout which afforded really good views where we could take photos. Then we went to Walpa Gorge which is just a short walk nearby.