Well we finally made it out of the bog (Coober Pedy that is) and found our way to Ayers Rock (Uluru).
Stopped at a pub at Kulgera to overnight on the way and thought $1.87 was getting a bit high for fuel, but the tariff was only $20.00 for a powered site and the pub fare was reasonable with entertainment as well. We met a batch of people with whom we have continued to travel including Peter and Marie from Rutherglen. On the way into Uluru Robyn bumped into us after she had asked after us along the way. Several people reported our passing and pointed her in our direction. It remains a small world when in the middle of the country you can bump into people who remember your name. Then, at Yulara, Stan turns up following directions from Suzy Pettit after following our blog and we spend the next few days connected (and continue to do so now in Alice).
Anyway, small world or not, it is still a bloody big country this ‘ere Oz. 4 days at Yulara Resort which, despite advice to the contrary, is a great place to stay. We were told it had deteriorated from its halcyon early days of 20 or so years ago but apart from some of the patina of age and desert red dirt its in great shape and just a lovely place to be in the desert. The rock is still there too although a bit further away than I remembered (but then so is everything else these days).
For a second time in my life I actually saw a sunrise by choice. Marvellous what a rock can do to ones mental stability. Sunset however remains the best time for viewing…..
Jude says its only cos its getting dark but there is no doubt that it is majestic. I couldn’t believe that I’d have to jostle for space along the fence of the sunset viewing area let alone mix it with thousands at the sunrise viewing. There was a procession of cars along the 25 km drive out in the morning and 12 buses already there when I got to the spot.
The Yulara Resort and caravan park has over 200 sites and they were full every day. Then there were cabins, units unpowered sites, a hotel and motel, a supermarket and other assorted shops all milling with people….
and its clearly quite a “city” at night.
The Olgas were also part of the “tour”. Interesting fact, the rocks all have different geological structure and origins. On the way into Yulara along the Lassiter Highway you pass Mt Connor. At first glance the response is – gee! didn’t think you could see Ayers Rock this far out but on moving closer it does not look like the familiar pictures of ‘the rock’ …..
This is one type of structure. Uluru is another, the Olgas yet another and in turn the Kings Canyon Middle Range is different again. All within about a 300km circle.
Olgas look like….
and are generally comprised of lumps like these….
On the other hand, Uluru is one solid bit of sandstone, supposedly mostly still buried. I can’t remember Mt Connors make up I just remember it is different. Then the Middle Ranges which support Kings Canyon are layers and layers of sand stone (see pictures in due course). I’m sure Bob and Kelvin will get something out of this but I’m stumped.
Suffice to say they are all pretty spectacular in their own way and millions of flies can’t be wrong about that.
We’re not just grey nomads out here. The population ranges from indigenes, Germans, French, others, children and all sorts of miscellaneous tourists all with different ways of getting about. Rental cars, motorhomes even motorbikes and pedallies. Caravans are of course ‘king’ and the road is continuously humming with them.
On to Kings Canyon. Thought it wise to book ahead so 3 or so days before hand we had to settle for sites apart and the last powered ones they had. A much smaller facility than Yulara and at one time perhaps a top notch resort, the Kings Canyon Resort and Camping Ground has seen better days – perhaps now 3 stars. They still remember how to charge for 5 stars though. None the less it satisfied our need to climb mountains.
On Sunday we hit the rocks. Trail was billed as ‘moderate’ with a ‘difficult’ start. No kidding! It was.
but we were encouraged on by others who assured us it was worthwhile. It was.
I know, its a lot to take in and these few shots are but a small percentage of the photogenic locations in this range.
We did what was referred to as the “rim walk”. It did indeed take us some 6km all the way around the top. 4 hours, not all high effort but we were all pleased to be back at the car park. A very scenic journey.