Alice Springs To Chambers Pillar

Day 18 – 11^th May 2010

Alice Springs  to Chambers Pillar

Spent the morning fuelling (guys) and looking at art galleries (guess who!)

Drove to Maryvale and through the Titjikala Community and out to Chambers Pillar. On the way it was recommended that we raise our flags. Much excitement! Such designs!

The Pillar was a real surprise, much more than we expected. Cannot fathom how those early explorers did it. Watched the sunset on the pillar and camped in its shadow.

Alice Springs

Day 17 – 10^th May 2010

Alice Springs

Had a bit of a look around town. Drove up to Anzac Hill which is the lookout over Alice. Did some restocking of supplies and then the guys headed for the reptile park and Jan and Marg checked out the Albert Namatjira Gallery and the Cultural Precinct. Beautiful!

Boys cooked a delicious chicken dinner and then off to the Casino for a tour by Laura, a couple of drinks and some delicious desserts.

Glen Helen Gorge To Alice Springs

Day 16 – 9^th May 2010

Glen Helen Gorge To Alice Springs

Happy Mother’s Day Jan and Marg.

Had a brief look at Glen Helen Gorge this morn but unfortunately, couldn’t get far because still too much water and too cold to swim! Rob had electrical repairs to do. Next stop Ormiston Gorge, which could be the pick of them. A climb up to the lookout and then a walk down into the gorge. The views of the gorge were so spectacular. Once down into the gorge we had to take to the water to complete the walk back to the car. Hope the pics do it justice but I doubt it. We lunched at Stanley Chasm and walked up the creek bed to the chasm. Once again – spectacular.

From there we drove to Alice Springs. Stopped at Flynn’s grave just outside Alice.  He was quite a man.

Booked into the MacDonnell Range Caravan Park and dusted ourselves off, did some washing and showering and dolled ourselves up to go out to dinner at a classy Indian restaurant. Met up with Laura, Claudia’s cousin, who works at the Casino in Alice. Lovely dinner – yummy.

Glen Helen and The West Macdonnell Ranges

Day 15 – 8^th May 2010

Glen Helen To Glen Helen

Left camp set up and went East to explore several of the gorges of the West Macdonnell Ranges. First to Ellery Creek Big Hole. Plenty of water in the hole. Had to blaze a trail that was overgrown from the wet and climbed up the escarpment to see views out over the ranges. Next, to Serpentine Gorge where we climbed to the lookout for more spectacular scenery of the gorge that wound it’s way through the rock. The climb was a real heart starter.

The Ochre Pits were very interesting with lots of history of Aboriginal women and ceremonial painting. The colours in the rock were really beautiful.

Back to camp and a delicious dinner cooked on the fire. Stars were brilliant again. The night was very cold.

Finke River To Glen Helen Gorge

Day 14 – 7^th May 2010

Palm Valley to Hermannsburg and Glen Helen Gorge

There were actually some clouds in the sky this morning but didn’t stay around too long. Drove through the cycad gorge to the Red Cabbage  PalmValley and walked the Mpulungkinya Walk. Saw amazing varieties of plants and flowers and trees. Nowhere else in the world can you find the Red Cabbage Palm. Climbed to the top of the escarpment and then along the top and down into the valley of palms. The Finke River wound its way through the valley as the palms whispered in the breeze. It was a magic place. We spent much longer there than we planned. Also visited the Karralanga Lookout for more spectacular views of the valley. Made friends with a monitor lizard who was happy to pose for a zillion photos.

On the way out of the gorge we helped another family bogged with their car and trailer.

Back into Hermannsburg  and a really exciting thing happened. It was that Marg got to meet the Artist of her artwork, Lofty who lives at Hermannsburg. He was born there and has his family there. He told us about the painting. Margs painting told the story of the Rainbow Serpent and Jan's was a story of women collecting bush tucker.

From Hermannsburg, out to Albert Namatjira’s house, a very basic, 2- roomed stone house with a tin roof. From there we went to The West MacDonnell Range National Park. We wonder how the scenery can keep getting more spectacular as we travel on.

Camped on the banks of The Finke River again at Glen Helen Gorge. A fire, a glass of wine, sunset over the river, Albert’s hills in the background and listening to the Pigrims. What could be better? Dined on free muffins acquired from a film crew making an ad for Tourism Australia, at Palm Valley.

Finke River To Palm Valley, Finke RIver Gorge National Park

Day 13 – 6^th May 2010

Finke River to Palm Valley Finke Gorge National Park

After a cold night and a great morning fire we set off towards Palm Valley       78 km away. The track was a 4- wheel drive track only and didn’t take us long to find out why. The track wound its way along and across the Finke River with many river crossings to traverse, approximately 20 crossings in total. The track was hazardous in places with large areas of deep soft sand and loose rubble. The scenery was spectacular with high cliffs on one side and the river on the other.  Met a couple towing a 4X4 trailer and helped them winch their way out of a bog. Once again, the colours of the land just blow you away. Blue, green and red with so many beautiful coloured flowers. Saw mega flocks of native budgies, which have vibrant green underbellies. Also spotted 3 very fast dingoes and some horses. Took zillions of photos. Never actually found Boggy Hole, but lots of possibilities

Arrived Hermannsburg Mission, birthplace of Albert Namatjira. in the  late afternoon. Had a quick look around and Jan and Marg both purchased artworks from local artists. Marg actually got to meet the artist of her work, which was very exciting. Headed for Palm Valley. The drive in was 4X4 again and just as spectacular. We were back in Finke Gorge NP. Found a nice camp spot near the river. Happy hour, warm showers and dinner by the fire. 

Kings Canyon To Finke River Gorge

Day 12 – 5^th May 2010

Kings Canyon To Finke River

First off we did The Kathleen Springs walk. Just a short one and very easy. Came across a large herd of camels, probably farmed. Too cute. We drove towards Alice Springs but turned off onto a 4X4 track via Illamurta Springs and Boggy Hole. At the Springs we saw the ruins of the old police station. Had great fun crossing the Finke River and it was so beautiful, we decided to make camp here by the river for the night. The track was quite rough in parts and we averaged about 35km an hour. The fire is lit, the wine is poured and life is wonderful. Would love to  stay here another night, but we need to move on.

Kings Canyon

Day 11 – 4^th May 2010

Kings Canyon

Made a big effort to get up early but as usual we were quite late getting to the Canyon. What a climb at the start of the walk. Took the breath away and got the heart rate going FAST. It was an amazing walk along the rim of the canyon. The colours in the rock walls were stunning and we were a long way up. Stopped for a rest at the waterhole. The water froze our little tootsies. Finished the walk in just under 4 hours and then backed up for the Kings Creek walk which was only 2.3km. We were quite weary by the end of that. Back to camp for a swim and relax and then dinner out at the pub. Watched “The Roadies” again and a repeat of the night before. They count on a nightly turnover of tourists.

The dingoes didn’t howl near as much tonight.

Uluru To Kings Canyon

Day 10 – 3^rd May 2010

Uluru To Kings Canyon

Drove out to the Rock again and did the walk around the base. We blitzed it in record time. The east and North  sides are definitely the most interesting.

Headed off and lunched at Curtin Springs. Then drove on to Kings Canyon Resort, through the George Gill Range. The countryside was spectacular yet again. Have to get a theosorus to help with descriptive language.

Set up camp, dined gourmet on baked beans and then had a very funny night at the pub entertained by “The Roadies”. They picked on us big time and had us all up at some stage as part of their act. You should keep your eye out for them. They come from Wilcannia and spend 8 months a year at Kings Canyon so you may not happen across them.

Thought we would sleep well but the howling of the dingoes right beside our tents was very offputting.

Kata Tjuta

Day 9 – 2^nd May 2010

Uluru and Kata Tjuta

No packing up again! Marg and Jan tried to do a load of washing in the drier! That provided a good laugh. Even funnier tho was when the wash came off the line later in the day, it looked dirtier than when it went in.

Today we had a couple of fantastic walks at Kata Tjuta  The Valley of the Winds was a 7.5km walk with stunning views of the domes of Kata Tjuta. So many varieties of native plants and some beautiful birds. Next was the Walpa Gorge walk, nowhere near as challenging – thank goodness.

Drove back to Uluru for another look and a drive round the base. Home for happy hour and planning for tomorrow.

Dined at The Pioneer Outback Hotel and had a lot of trouble proving we were who we were, which we needed to do to get a drink. Jan and Marg danced the night away with an old bowler and some Japanese from St Leonards. Entertained the boys no end! John made a brief appearance on the dance floor to Rock and Roll with Jan. A quick ride on the shuttle bus saw us home at the campground.

Day 7 – 30^th April 2010

Coober Pedy to Erldunda

Another glorious day and quite a bit of driving. Heading north we had our first pit stop at Pootnoura. Lunched at a roadside rest area and had an afternoon drink at Kulgera Pub.

Filled the cars with very expensive fuel and turned left at Erdundla. We found a great bush camp spot along the road to Uluru and set up for the night. Our first chance to cook on an open fire and sit around it and relax the night away. So many stars and bush noises including a very whiney cow! A lovely ‘just past full moon’ provided the light.

Day 8 – 1^st May 2010

Erdundla to Uluru.

Made an early start after toasting – hot coals make the best toast.  About a 2.5 hour drive to Uluru and set up camp in the campground. Boy they know how to charge! But we could see Uluru and Kata Tjuta in the distance so it was worth it.

Relaxed for a while and then out to the National Park. Visited the Cultural Centre and learned a lot about the traditional owners of the land and how the rock formations came to be. Not cheery tales by any means. Walked a little of the base of the rock and watched the sunset over Uluru. Beautiful.

Atlantic salmon with lemon, lime and chile, cooked perfectly by the guys on the bbq, for dinner. Who says camping is roughing it? Our latest night to bed yet!

Coober Pedy

Day 6 – 29^th April 2010

Coober Pedy

No pulling down tents or packing up camp today – yaaaaay!

Back into tourist mode and did a tour of a working underground mine. It turns out that the ‘working’ bit was suspect. Still it was interesting and we had a go at getting down into a mine and divining for opal. How they do it for a living we don’t know. Not for us. 

Another very interesting display at an opal mine and shop but managed to avoid any purchases. Drove out to a spot called the Breakaways, about 30km out of town to have drinks and nibbles as the sun set. It was a beautiful spot and the atmosphere at sunset was so peaceful. We had the bonus of a full moon rising as the sunset and hardly knew which direction to flash the cameras.  Hope one of us got a decent moonrise! 

On the way to the Breakaways we passed the Dingo Fence and broke several rules of the local indigenous people – not on purpose of course.

Back to town in the very dark night and finished off the Greek deserts from the night before.

Woomera To Coober Pedy

Day 5 – 28^th April 2010

Woomera to Coober Pedy

Surprisingly, noone woke with hangovers! Decamping done in a flash – or two- and off we went north to Coober Pedy, The Opal Capital of The World. The drive was once again spectacular and scenic. The colours are astounding. Vibrant greens, reds and blue blue sky.

With camp set up, we did the tourist thing around town. Faye’s underground cottage was an interesting place and we saw the benefits of underground living. No wonder so many people live in dugouts. Up to the Big Winch for a scenic view of town (a bit of a contradiction in terms!) and a visit to an underground church whose denomination escapes us at this moment.

A change of clothes, some washing and Happy Hour at The Desert Cave Underground Hotel. There was a fantastic, informative display along the tunnel to get to the bar. John knows opals now. The bar was well worth the visit.

We dined at Tom and Mary’s Greek Taverna, along with all the members of the 2010 Desert Duel Rally. Desert Duel raises money for the Para Olympics each year. They were having a great time and we had to be careful not to raise a hand or scratch our noses during their auctions. We couldn’t afford it.

Jan had reunion and a brush with fame all in one hit. She caught up with Belinda Green, an old school friend, who was one of the organisers of the Desert Duel. It’s lucky Marg has –you know whats!

Took doggy bag deserts home and pigged out on baklava and a couple of other delicious treats.

Orroroo To Woomera

Day 4 – 27^th April 2010-05-06

Orroroo To Woomera

Arrived in Port Augusta via Horrocks Pass. It was a spectacular and unusual drive. Headed straight for the Tourist Information Centre. Some great exhibits of outback South Australia. Got a few ideas of places to see and road closures and replenished our supplies of  fruit and vegetables that we previously donated to the Quarantine Service. Went to the historic water tower that provided views of the Spencer Gulf and the town of Port Augusta. Visited the Arid Lands Botanic Gardens, had tasty dampers for lunch and then a quick walk around the 500 acre site. Marg got a few ideas about the types of coastal plants she could attempt to kill off when she gets back home. Took a quick look at Matthews Flinders Lookout over the upper Spencer Gulf then headed north looking for a place to stay overnight. Woomera looked like a great place to be on YOUR 36^th Wedding ANNIVERSARY!, so we pulled in and had a convivial night in the bar chatting with some fellow travellers. The night was cool.

Lake Cullullerlane To Orroroo

Day 3 – 26^th April

Lake Cullulleraine To Orroroo

What a COLD night. But the new tent was a great success. A walk around the lake for some and then a slow start to get on the road.  First stop was a substantial donation to the South Australian Quarantine Services, which, unfortunately was NOT tax deductible. Fibre content in the diet was now the main concern! The locusts were out to get us again, but the day was sunny and warm. Renmark,  Overland Corner Hotel for coffee, historic  Burra for lunch and Orroroo for the night. Weather is cold again but a campfire tonight makes all the difference. J & J are getting quicker with set up. Rob is getting less smart-arse. Gourmet chicken korma curry for dinner with a glass of red.  The pitter patter of the rain on the tent roof.

Narrandera To Lake Cullullerlane

Day 2 - 25^th April 2010

Jan couldn’t sleep cause she was the alarm clock to get us up for the Dawn Service at Memorial Park in Narrandera. It was a lovely, moving service for a small group of us. Memories of Gallipoli made it even more meaningful.

Beautiful sunshine saw us driving thru the MIA(Murrumbidgee Irrigation Area), towards South Australia . The plague of locusts were perilous, the Southern Bell Frog entertained us at Balranald (the home of the afore mentioned) and Marg forgot how to drive! Drove thru the land of the sultana's and almonds- Sunraysia - and falling short of Renmark, camped at a beautiful spot called Lake Cullulleraine. Sunset over the lake, plenty of photo opportunities and happy hour. The night got cold and blow up beds called us early. 

Sydney To Narrandera

Took off in sunshine and warmth and rendezvoused near Pheasant's Nest: swapped the cold stuff, abulutted, piccied, jumped up and down and headed off. Between there and Yass it became bloody cold and wet! While searching for pies to warm us, we found the pub. Lunched on gourmet hamburgers and thawed a little. After lunch, Ken took us on the scenic route, but stopped short of Junee. He is such a tease! From there, we entered the FFEZ(Fruit Fly Exclusion Zone) and the bloody Bactrocera Tryoni became the bane of our lives and fruit became the staple diet. The rain poured as we neared Narrandera and we caved under the pressure and booked a cabin for the night . Safe and warm we wined and dined and slept well. Well some of us did!!!!!!!! Stay posted.