3. – 8. July

Uluru and Kata Tjuta (Ayers Rock and the Olgas) NationalPark

Now we were in Alice Springs for the third time and received another tent site. Luckily the weather has cleared a bit – there was no rain and the forecast showed some more days without rain which is really good after two days with constant rain. We have noticed that all festivals in Alice Springs run on a weird schedule. Normally you think that any festival or show should run over the whole weekend – but no they’re running on Friday and Saturday. Last weekend they had the Beanie festival and this weekend the Alice Springs Show was on. This meant that there was a public holiday “Show Day” on Friday and several shops were closed.

This time we decided to have a look at the Royal Flying Doctors Visitor Centre but it was not as nice as we hoped. Especially as the flight simulator was off line. They had a little museum which showed three model planes, how a plane could look form the inside, several chests and one pedal radio. Then you could have a look at a movie and they show a little communications room. I’m not sure if the room is still in use or if it’s just for display… This base covers an area with a radius of 600km and they normally have two to six emergency flights every day.

We had a look at the weather forecast and it looked a bit better for the region around Ayer’s Rock so we decided to take this loop next. The first night was spent around 120km away from Uluru just with Mt. Connor in sight. Unfortunately it started to rain (again) so we decided to stop at Curtin Springs – this campground offered showers! If you opt for an  unpowered site you have free camping and as it’s just 80km east of Uluru it gets really crowded in the afternoon. I guess a lot of camper enjoying a whole day in the National Park and then just return to this area… or they stay the night before going to the Park. You really have to be early to get a good site – especially if you prefer camping on a bit of grass. Mt. Connor was still in sight and looked at some time like a fingerbun with icing… I think Mt. Connor is a jump-up but it’s on a private property so you can’t get close unless you pay a shit-load of money and go on a guided tour.

It didn’t clear during the night (actually there was more rain) we decided to leave the tent and just go for a day to Uluru – ignoring that the entry pass is valid for 3 days. We went straight to the Olgas (Kata Tjuta). We stopped at the sunset viewing area to have breakfast – at least there were some shelter… Then we went through the Valley of the Winds. In the beginning we haven’t decided if we just walk to the lookout or the whole 7km loop. This valley carries the name “Valley of the Winds” with truth – it was so windy we had to hold onto our hats. Luckily the sun came out so we  walked the loop. It was a good walk with all the different views to the Olgas (alias Kata Tjuta means “many heads” which gives you an idea how they look like) although I decided some look more like a nice cake with icing (it seems like I need something sweet). On some Olgas the rain was still visible – water was flowing down. During the walk we came across several back-packer-tours – 18 people on a so-called minibus tour and then you’ve to do what the tour guide decides to…

Then we drove to the Cultural Centre close to Uluru and stopped at the sunset viewing area. This area offers parking for up to 100 cars and I guess it will get crowded so if we decide to watch the sunset we would have to arrive early to pick the best spot… as there are some bushes which might be in the way.

Arriving at the Centre we prepared our meal (not sure if it was still lunch  or already dinner) as it’s much nicer to eat while the sun is up. We even had a visitor – luckily after we finished. A dingo came around and was sniffing, maybe he wanted to get a bit of our mince but that’s for us and not for dingoes. This dingo was a female and I guess she had pups somewhere as she was really slim and the tits were full. She was not really scared of peoples – she kept her distance (just 2m) and looked every minute up but you couldn’t shoo her away.

When we returned to our tent we noticed that the table was stolen. It’s a shame what people take with them luckily all in the tent was still where it belonged… It was a really good idea to pack the sleeping bags into the car and take them with us. Maybe we have to start a list what got stolen so far; a bikini from the washing line, several jars of Nutella and other food out of fridges and now a table – what will be next? We then checked the internet and noticed that the forecast showed less rain so we packed the tent and drove back to the National Park and booked into the caravan park (an expansive one). The tent was erected quickly so we could go to the park and hopefully climb the rock as the clouds went away and the sun came out. But more on that – have a look at the next entry.

Our afternoon tea was enjoyed at the Cultural Centre but without a dingo. We had a look at the centre itself and then drove to the sunset area to secure a good spot. The car park starts to get crowded two hours before sunset until it’s completely full and they start parking on the street (not allowed but nobody cares). Several times you had to decide if you want to watch the sunset where it actually sets or how the rock colour changes during the setting. At some time the shadow actually starts to climb the rock as well. If you need to be back at the resort you’ve to leave before the sunset is over otherwise you will be stuck in traffic.

Next day was quiet as there was a cloud cover so we didn’t return to the park for sunrise or to do the Valley of the Winds walk again. So we just washed our clothes and relaxed the legs (although they were not sore). In the evening we walked to the store using the food-path across the lookout. And what happened? The sun came out just in time for a sunset.

Cheers,
Tom and Anja