Uluru-Kata Tjuta and Watarrka NP
CAUTION: Many photos of rock(s)!!
The last few days we’ve spent around Uluru-Kata Tjuta (Ayres Rock-Olgas) and Watarrka (Kings Canyon) National Parks, and yes, we took lots of photos.
Certainly the Yulara campground hasn’t changed since we were here 16 years ago, and the entry fee ($25/adult) to the park hasn’t changed either. We thought it was expensive back then!
This first evening we went across to Kata Tjuta to watch the sunset. I tried out some time lapse photography with about half a dozen other guys. Charlotte though it was boring of course! I’m not sure whether it’s worth the effort. I can probably view one on YouTube!
Next morning we walked all the way around The Rock. Its 10km all the way round the base and it took over three hours. It obviously flat, but Charlotte was bored again! By the time we got back to the start, The Rock was open for climbing. It was near lunchtime and damn hot. Some silly buggers were climbing it with thongs and 500ml of water! We had decided not to climb before we left. I managed to get up to the start of the chains. I was huffing and puffing even by then! We went back to camp and the girls decided to go for a swim, short one at that, as Charlotte said the pool water temperature was -2degC!
In the afternoon, we went back to Kata Tjuta and went on a short walk into a gorge. Charlotte enjoyed this more as it was more up and down and rock hopping. We went back to watch the sunset on The Rock for the last time, but there was too many clouds. The pictures looking away from The Rock of the sunset were much more interesting.
Next stop – Kings Canyon. This time we stayed at Kings Creek Station, rather than Kings Canyon ‘Resort’. Although it didn’t look much from the office building, the campground was very neat and tidy for being in the ‘Red Centre’. Most sites had shade and the facilities were basic and clean. I would recommend this site to anyone coming this way. Only negative about it is that it is 30km’s to the Canyon walks. Oh and the diesel price – $2.32/litre!
After setup, time for a swim, and I can confirm the water temperature is -2 degC! Susan’s green chicken curry for tea, and too bed early for the big walk around the canyon rim. I don’t know what time it was, but it was very early morning when a pack of wild dogs howling work me up. It probably wasn’t dingos as there were quite few of them.
Up before dawn to go on the Canyon Rim walk. Susan thinks I’m the currently holder of the ‘Nearly Road Kill Demon’. I came very close to mowing down a camel on the way to the canyon. The Canyon Rim walk was great again. It is certainly much better than The Rock walks. Charlotte had a ball on the walk. There were 4 or 5 small tours groups, and a couple of the other walkers which nice. Charlotte got to hang over the edge on the eastern face and ‘Cooee’ in the Canyon. A great walk and very comfortable as well, with a bit of patchy cloud cover.
We packed early again next morning for our circuit around the Mereenie Loop Road. The road was just as rough last time. We stopped into Hermannsburg to visit the historic Hermannsburg Lutheran Mission as part of Charlotte school work for this term. It’s quite a story of success and struggle.
Back to camp at Alice Springs and re-stock and contemplate our next leg of our journey.
Did you know … #5?
There is another small rock alongside of Uluru. It’s called ‘Taputji’, which is also a sacred site.
Yulara
Kings Canyon
Loving the photos!! Great “selfy” family shot on the Canyon Rim!! Thats one hell of a timer on the camera 🙂 LOL
Not quite sure I would have been brave enough to get close to the edge either – but I bet the view was spectacular.
xx
Great photos! You will all be so fit when you get home as long as you keep it up!
Luv u all!
We are heading over there in June next year with the kids. From your photos I can’t wait. Enjoy
Very informative blogs Greg Can really picture all your walks in my head Pictures are great but looks like the flies are still bad as Susie and Charli still wearing the face nets.