Mystical Monolith

Everyone seems to think, and I did, that Ayers Rock is next to Alice Springs. It is 450k away, which come to think of it is next door in outback terms! A very easy drive on sealed roads got us to the Ayers Rock Resort early afternoon, after a quick lunch at Curtin Springs. The resort was less than impressive, dirty and dusty with very cramped camping, and one of the most expensive campsites we have stayed in. Thankfully the rock itself more than compensates. Jo and I drove out to the rock just after 8am next morning and the sight of it looming in the distance really is mind blowing. It is just a lump of rock, but WOW, there is something very special about it.

I was real keen to climb to the top but my plans were thwarted by the weather. If the day is forecast to reach 36c or more, the climb is closed at 8am. We arrived at 8.15am. So we took on the 12k base walk instead which was simply brilliant and well worth the effort, even if it was getting a bit warm by the time we completed it.

We took heaps of photos, both close up and distant, but none come even close to doing it justice. I am tempted to blame the bad light on the day, but it is more likely my lack of photographic skill!
Later that day we drove to the sunset viewing area and enjoyed a glass, ok, a bottle of wine and cheese and biscuits on the roof of the landcruiser whilst watching the sunset on the rock.

Next morning we arrived at the rock before 6am so I could have a run up it. This time it was closed because of wind. Ah well, it looked a bit hard anyway. They say 35 people have died attempting to climb it. So we had a look round the Olgas, very impressive and picturesque, but not in the same league as Ayers Rock in my opinion.
Our next day was spent driving to  Kings Canyon where we stayed in a nice campground with Dingos. And we forgot to bring the Schmackos!

We made a very early start next day to do the 6.5k Kings Canyon rim walk, which was stunning, one of the best walks we have done, with a good bit of climbing too.

We weren't intending to return to Alice Springs, but we got some bad diesel and had to get a new diesel filter and the nearest dealer was in Alice Springs. So we decided to take the trail less travelled and go via the aboriginal land between Kings Canyon and the West Mac ranges. So after buying our permit to travel in Australia ( what the f#*k is that all about ) we took off on the 150k of reasonable dirt road, and it was here we saw our first feral camels.

And an aboriginal version of a 'reduce speed' sign!

So back in Alice we had a great feed in The Steakhouse, where they serve camel, goat, roo etc. And thankfully one of the best ribeye steaks I can remember eating, and next day replaced our waterlogged diesel filter.