Rainy Day in Alice Springs

When we woke this morning we could see some dark clouds on the horizon and our neighbours said they saw on the Elders weather site that Yulara (Ukuru) had just had 45ml and it was heading our way. So we knew we wouldn't be getting up to to much outdoorsy stuff. But we got to lunchtime and the rain still hadn't arrived so we decided to go for a drive out to the West MacDonnell National Park. I really wanted to do a walk to Standley Chasm, but the girl in the Information Centre said it was a 2.5hr return walk and I wasn't sure how I would go. Wouldn't you know when we arrived at the cafe at Standley Chasm so did the rain, but the great thing was the info centre girl was wrong and it was only a 40min return walk. I really wanted to do it but the rain was putting me off a bit. After sitting for about 10mins I decided I didn't care if I got wet I was going to do my walk. I am so glad I did, the rain was only drips on most of the walk and the magnificence of Standley Chasm was breathtaking. While standing in the Chasm all alone I really felt the spirituality of the area. It was a pretty flat walk but there were lots of rocks that were slippery and a bit shaky - but once again I did it.

Once again I am so proud of myself.

Might I add by the time I got back to the car I was absolutely drenched but happy!!

Walking Into Standley Chasm



The small pond at the end of the Chasm



Standley Chasm - such a spiritual place to stand alone in

Erldunda to Alice Springs

Yesterday was only a shortish drive of about 200km but for some reason after arriving, setting up and doing some food shopping in Alice Springs I was so tired I couldn't even be bothered turning my computer on. The caravan park we are staying in is very nice but really crowded. It's nice staying in the out of the way sites where there aren't people surrounding you. Although I must say my neighbours are very friendly. Today was pretty laid back. We had to get a few things for the van and just had a look around town. Alice Springs is nothing I had imagined, for some reason I thought being in Central Australia it would be very flat red dirt. But it is actually situated in the Mac Donnell Ranges, with two imposing rocky hills greeting you as you enter the city. It is also situated on the Todd river, funny thing is the river is usually dry. Its pretty wide so I am thinking in the wet season it would get pretty full. It was funny yesterday when we first saw the dry river, there were a few locals sitting down by the river enjoying themselves. I thought of us sitting by the Yarra in Melbourne enjoying the water views. Not quite the same without water!!
Back at the camp the lady in the caravan beside us had some craft items she had made out for sale, so seeing I had bought along some of the jewellery I've made I thought I would put it out. I didn't expect to sell anything but at least it got me doing what I intended. But low and behold within half an hour I had sold one of my bracelets. I was pretty chuffed I must say.



The rocky hills are quite imposing at the entry to Alice Springs



Todd River



Standing in the middle of the Todd River!!

Yulara to Erldunda

Tonight we lay our heads in a place called Erldunda which is situated at the junction of the Stuart Highway (road between Adelaide in the south and Darwin in the north). Erldunda claims to be in the centre of the centre of Australia. Apparently it is difficult to determine 100% where the actual centre of Australia is. There have been several studies the determine it but each one has come up with a different location. But Erldunda is in the centre of the locations determined. The caravan park we are staying at is called Desert Oaks Motel and Caravan Park. It was established in 1979. It has grown from a one pump petrol station to a resort now with motel, backpackers, caravan park, tavern, take away and supplies shop, tennis court and pool all covering 20 acres. But it us in the middle if nowhere, just surrounded by Central Australia red dirt.  

Desert Oaks - Erldunda

It would have been nice if it was hot enough to go for a dip



OK where is the centre of Australia???

Uluru and Kata Tjuta

Our day started very early with a drive out to Uluru to watch the sunrise.

The clouds came over a bit but it was still pretty good.

Sunrise

Then after breakfast and a bit of a rest we headed off on the 45min drive to Kata Tjuta (formerly known as The Olgas). Kata Tjuta means Many Heads and that is exactly what it looks like from the distance. But when you get up close the rocks are unbelievably high and very imposing. I wanted to attempt one of the walks, but wasn't sure if I would be able to. I decided to try the Walpa Gorge walk that was rated a Grade 3 - moderate walk - 2.6km return. Now I am not a fit person at all and usually start a walk and give up. But I started and even though it was very rocky and uphill, I just kept saying to myself You Can Do It. After about 35mins I reached the end of the walk that was deep in the gorge. The walk back seemed to come even easier to me. By the time I got back to the car I was bursting with pride for myself. I did it and I didn't give up before the job was completed. They say the Kata Tjuta is a very sacred spiritual place. At first I thought I didn't find it spiritual but then after finishing my walk I thank this sacred place for showing me

I can do anything if I just put my mind to it.

 

Kata Tjuta in the distance - Sunrise

About half way up Walpa Gorge

Reflections of Walpa Gorge

 

Marla to Kulgera Roadhouse to Yulara

Tonight I will give you an update for two days as we had no mobile phone or Internet coverage for the past 24 hours. It made me realize just how much I use my iPhone, iPad and Laptop. But at least it got me started on my digital scrapbooking for this trip.

 

Marla to Kulgera

We left Marla at about 9.00am as we only had a short drive today of about 180kms. As we were only heading for a roadhouse I wasn't to excited about out destination, but I was excited about the journey. Today we were to cross the border from South Australia to Northern Territory. I have never been to the Northern Territory (other than sitting in Darwin airport waiting for connecting flights). For some reason I get pretty excited about crossing borders and even going to places I have never been before. I didn't have to wait for long in our journey to cross the border.

Then it was onto Kulgera Roadhouse. By the end of the evening I was so glad we stayed here. The little pub had happy hour between 6pm and 7pm and it had the best atmosphere. Then Kulgera put on this amazing sunset for me. As I didn't have any Internet or phone it turned out to be a very early night to bed - 9.30pm!!

 

 

 Kulgera Roadhouse to Yulara

Today's journey was about 319km so we headed off about 7.30am. It wasn't difficult to wake up early due to early night last night. Today we head into Central Australia where Uluru is situated. After setting up Myrtle - we are getting pretty proficient at it now - we had a little look around, bought some supplies from the supermarket and chilled for a couple of hours in preparation for heading out and watch the sunset at Uluru. This is the first time I have ever seen Uluru, for some reason it had never been on the top of my list to see. Well was I wrong, this rock is bloody amazing. The changing colours were pretty cool and I don't think any photo can capture just how amazing it is.

Coober Pedy to Marla

Today's journey was really a day just to get from A to B. There certainly wasn't much to see along the drive. But what there was to see we stopped at. The mounds of dirt from the Opal Mines went on for quite a while after leaving Coober Pedy, a lot further afield than I had imagined.

Next stop was for a driver change at Pootnouri Rest Area. Nothing just a lot of open space and a lot of rubbish either people had left behind or had blown out of the bins.

Our next stop was at Cadney Station for a bite to eat. We both had Egg and Bacon Toasted Sandwiches and I must say they were the best I have ever had. Our next stop was our destination for the night Marla. This stop was developed as a truck stop and grown from that. It is really only one building but it is actually quite a nice caravan park, clean toilets and showers, Pool, Restaurant and Pub, small supermarket and a little shop that sells Aboriginal paintings and artefacts.  But I think I got most excited about seeing nice green grass again. Didn't realise I had missed it!!

Also for my readers I took a photo of a map of Australia and highlighted in bright pink our journey so far.  I will show this map every now and then.