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Uluru and Kata Tjuta

26th - 30th April 2016

300 klm uneventful drive up the Stuart Highway to free camp at Agnes Creek! Love being a cheapskate!

Fantastic spot beside a dry creek. So peaceful we decided to stay two nights.


Sundowners!



Then a couple of hours watching the bush T.V




Plenty of room. No neighbours.



There were lots of these spider webs around. We are fairly sure they are a type of funnel web spider. Didn't see any thankfully!



Also lots of these delicate little shells. Remnants of a long ago ocean?



A backpackers last stand! Dezzi gave it a thorough going over for spares but no luck.





We discovered a freeloader on our first morning. A micro bat. We have no idea when he would have gotten in. Anyway, he was with us for a day before we shooed him along.



Another border crossing, so the obligatory tourist shot!

Driving, driving, driving and spot three wedge tail Eagles on the side of the road with a fresh kill. Scream to a halt.  Quick ueeee back to check them out. I bolted from the car to see how close I could get. Very close. This was so exciting. Such an awesome bird. Just a little bit excited with the shots.






Squawking at me to go away.


Mmmmmmm lunch.








This is Mount Conner on the way to Uluru. I remember last time we thought this was Uluru before we got closer!



Dezzi loving the straight bitumen roads.

Overnight at Curtain Springs. Another patch of free dirt!




Pretty good sunset at drink o'clock.


Pack up time and off to Yalara.


We splashed out here and took a powered site at the Camping Ground. Luxury...a cement slab, no dust. Shops. Pub. Swimming pool. All sorts of luxuries! (At a price) We managed to score a great site with trees. It was also just across from the path up to the Uluru viewing lookout.




Sadly still the chores to be done! Living like trailer trash ha ha!

DAY ONE
Off to the National Park to Kata Tjuta - Aboriginal for "many heads". Otherwise known as The Olgas. Absolutely spectacular. We didn't get here last time, so very keen to do the walks.

Kata Tjuta differs from Uluru in composition. It is are made up of conglomerate. Uluru is a monolith. A single rock, comprised of sandstone.


First views.


Who are those masked tourists?


We came across this little fella. Probably only about 5cm long.






Absolutely love the stunning red dirt.


And delicate little flowers.


Getting closer.



Today we did the easy walk. Easing Dezzi into activity slowly! This is the Walpa Gorge walk. A leisurely 2.6 klm.


They are HUGE! Look how small Dez is next to one of the mounds.


And still lovely flowers manage to survive this barren landscape.






Great big chunks of conglomerate rock everywhere.







The top of the Gorge.




Dezzi happy it was easy!


Now back down.


Peek a boo from under the fly veil.


Close up of the conglomerate.

DAY TWO

Up earlier than the sparrows to watch an Uluru Sunrise. Was it worth the scratchy eyes and yawning? Just take a look.


Leaving the Camping Ground.



Stunning.

So...off for a leisurely 10.6 klm stroll. I love this walk. Uluru is so majestic, and the flora around it changes all the time.

A few stats about Uluru:

348 metres high
3.6 klm long
1.9 klm wide
9.4 klm around the base
Covers 3.33 square klm
Extends several klm underground but no-one know how far for sure.
862.5 metres above sea level
So there you go!






There are so many aspects to the face of the rock due to erosion.







Lots of caves that the Aboriginals used to use.








Sunrise along my path.








Mount Conner Wattle. Only grows with 150 klm radius of Uluru.








One of my favourite aspects. I always think this looks like a skull with brain.








The people you meet. This is Carol and Martin who were our neighbours back at camp. Great people.





Amazingly delicate little flowers growing in the rock.









Still walking........



Wouldn't be complete without a bark humpy!















This rock pool was dry last visit. You can't really see, but it is quite deep and so clear.


If you have a bit of an imagination, this can be a face. Just say in'
















Stop for a rest and a snack.





Took this one for Dezzi who opted out today.







Happy days.



Everyone should put this on their bucket list.

DAY THREE

Big day today. Valley of the Winds at Kata Tjuta. This is no leisurely stroll like yesterday. A 7.4 klm hike up and down rocky paths. Scrambling up and over rock faces. Let's get cracking!


Dezzi making sure he has his stance ready before we start.



Off we go. 



There are three lookouts. This is the first.





The rock is really this colour with the sun on it.  So vibrant. 



This path curves around to the right between the mounds, then you scramble up the rock face!





To get a perspective of how massive these mounds are, you can just see Dezzi in the lower right corner.



This is the path...if you can call it that!



Taking in the amazing view.



More scrambling.





Up and over this.






Almost there. Lookout two.



And then you have to get down the other side.



It is spectacular!











Then a few klm of flat ground. Looking back to where we have come from.








We have discovered the flies prefer dark colours. Interesting.







Almost there. Going through the last pass.



After all that we got our hiking stance down to perfection!




We did it. Now back to the Village Square at Yalara for a well earned lunch at Gheko Cafe!

Uluru and Kata Tjuta - one of my favourite places..

Next stop Alice Springs.



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