A walk around the Canyon named after Kings in Watarrka National Park

The walk around Kings Canyon commenced around 0600am, only after all the safety precautions such as toilet stop, filling of the water bottles and discussion about staying on the path and if the need arises  to use one of the safety radios around the canyon to make contact with a ranger. By the time we were off many other buses were pulling into the car parks.

The more than 400 or so rough stone steps to the top of the first plateau was fairly easy going as stops along the walk way allowed a view of the area looking westward. there are many more ups and down across the ledges, gorges and bridges, so all in all there are lots of steps. 

Stopping along the way allowed our knowledgable tour guide "Ola" to report about the local plants, fruits, rock formations and even fossilised objects and fossilised landforms. Other tour leaders including Jenny, were also able to provide highlights as our tour group overtook their group, and even when our tour group itself was overtaken by others. Luckily there was still plenty of shadows from the rocks and trees as the extreme heat saw the shaded areas being the best spot for a welcome rest. Some notable highlights included a photostop in Priscilla's Crack, a rest at the waterhole, (no swimming allowed of course to protect the sensitive environment), the view of the Lost City, the starting of the canyon and the sheer walls where the last rock falls occurred in the 1930s.

The tall rock faces allowed many hiding spaces for the desert birds to nest. The work in maintaining and upgrading the paths by the National Parks team is really appreciated by the many tourists. At about 800am we are way past the half way point and on towards the rear entry gate that allows late arrivals a shortened walk to only one side of the canyon. The main gate is locked at 800am while the rear gate is also locked at 1100am in the summer hot season. The sun scorches the earth and sips of water are necessary every so often to keep the mouth moistened. Another walk of several kilometres completed in Central Australia and we were back to the resort for another welcome swim in the pool, some lunch, a pickup of some other Adventure tour travellers and we headed off towards Alice Springs in 43 degrees heat.

Kings Canyon and a resort in the desert wilderness

The long drive across a part of Central Australia, aka, the red centre, towards Kings Canyon was uneventful in terms of wildlife along the roadside. Not many dead animals were seen, which was a pleasant thought in terms of the other roads in some parts of the country where road kill is everywhere. A couple of stops along the way included Curtin Springs and Mt Conner lookout, for relief and photo shoots, passing the many hours drive of around 500 or so Kms to Watarrka National Park.

Upon arrival at the "Kings Canyon Resort" we are greeted with buildings, a picnic area, a swimming pool, a service station - fuel 253cpl, shop and the local hotel as well as the resort. This truly can be called a resort located in the desert area, unlike many other so called resorts, that abound the tourist areas of the eastern seaboard. Other travellers are lazing about the poolside as our busload of tourists prepare for a swim.

The cooling waters of the large pool were just what was needed after a long bus drive in the afternoon heat which was around 42. No shower was needed, actually I just wanted to jump in the pool with the clothes that were being worn, but modesty prevailed and just the undies had to do, as the costumes were not packed!! Other travellers were also unprepared for this resort stop in the desert wilderness. After a well appreciated cool down the bus was on its way to our campsite for the night.

The campsite was about 20 minutes away in the hills. Driving to the permanent tent site where Adventure Tours has its setup, we passed a lone dingo, and a huge array of solar panels, that numbered around 2,100. It was an impressive sight to see.

Tonight we had Thai Curry for dinner and after cleanup our swags were laid out. More of us slept under the stars tonight, in fact 6 of us slept out and we were able to see the stars as the clouds stayed away tonight. The southern cross was prominent in the sky as was the just past full moon. A sleepin was allowed in the morning, we got up at 415am and after packing up and breakfast it was off to the walk around the Kings Canyon.

The road well travelled towards Alice Springs

Departure from the resort at Kings Canyon meant that our tour was driving back along Red Centre Way (Luritja Road) to the Lasseter Highway turnoff and then onto the Stuart Highway to Alice. There may be shorter ways to Alice but in this smallish tourist bus, it was not a 4WD and we were not equipped for another night out camping, although the Adventure Tours that we picked up some people from were doing that leg.

Some notable stops along the way included - the Mount Ebenezer Roadhouse, Erindunda Roadhouse - fuel 200cpl, Stuarts Well Roadhouse and of course the final drop off for us and a couple of other tourists at the Doubletree Hotel in Alice. It was a long driving leg, very hot and a bit unpleasent with some whining tourists whinging about the heat. Well it's summer in Central Australia, extreme heat it is to be expected!  

So it was good to get into a warm shower in room 202, a swim in the pool and after an extremely satifying meal of Kofta balls at the Hanuman restaurent and then into a comfy bed. 

Tourist time in Alice included a walk through the Olive Pink botanical gardens, a walk across the dry bed of the Todd River, some shopping for local art, a vist to Imparja studios, and a visit to Lasseters Casino where no money was spent as the water was free. Sadly saw plenty of others win and then lose at the casino.

An early morning bus pickup saw us arrive at Alice Springs airport with plenty of time to spare for the departure on the Tiger Airways flight.

Another walking expedition - this time around Uluru and it vast baseline

While a walk around the base of Uluru allows the many shapes and columns of the rock to be seen up close and personal, it also allows the peace and serenity to be embellished under the shade of the trees and around the waterholes and creeks that had become evident over the previous fortnights rain. The Mutijulu waterhole is really peaceful 

With temperatures expected and hitting 40+ degreesC the shade and coolness offered by the environment was most welcome. The constant thud of tourists' feet and the chit chat and clicking of the cameras is a subtle reminder of the reality of the many thousands of tourists that come here to visit the red centre. While to the outside observer there is sparseness of trees, birds and other life if a few moments are just spent observing and listening, there is much to be seen. 

Bloodwoods, rock figs, desert oaks, even a river gum are among the wattles, saltbush, mallees, and spinifex that allow birds such as the woodswallows, finches and some other birds that were also seen on the walks. For a desert environment there was certainly plenty of flowers and grasses evident while we walked in awe of the towering rock that is around 350 metres tall in some points.

The Mala Walk led by a tribal elder allowed us to get up close and personal to many of the ancient stories that lie beneath the artwork and historical significance of the area. We were very lucky to have such a wise tour leader and local language tramslator with us on this part of the visit to this part of the Uluru - Kata Tjuta  National Park. We heard stories of the troubles that tourists cause by walking or aiming to walk to the top of the rock and were able to see some of these issues up close and personal. The whole tour group declined any offer to walk the pathway, anyway it was way too hot, and the pathway is closed early in the hot season.

After a visit to the Cultural Centre where there was just enough time for the  "Did not climb" book to be signed, we were off towards Kings Canyon.

Uluru sunset to sunrise

After lunch we departed from the base camp for a visit to Kata Tjuta National Park. The visit to Kata Tjuta (The Olgas) allowed us to see some viewings that included the Valley of the Winds and then a walk to Walpa Gorge. Then it was off to the sunset viewing of Uluru (Ayers Rock). 

The viewing allowed us a unique experience to see the rock and surrounding area with cloud coverage, indeed a special circumstance. Unfortunately the conditions hid the full moon rise and sunset at the same time. Oh well the hundreds of others there for the viewing did not seem to mind either as they sipped bubbles and ate their dinner.

Back at Base Camp it was time to cook a meal for the tour group, of which there is 17. The meal consisted of many salads, some cooked camel, cow, kangaroo, veges and some weird vege type burgers. As part of the experience each tourist can contribute to meal preparation. The BBQ was cooked by the only male Australian in the tour group, and I must say all the tour group thought it was great.

After clean up it was off to sleep in the swag under the stars, aka cloud cover, at @1030pm CST. At @130am it was time to get under the cover of the swag as the rain started... Not much sleep either side of that event as the noisy bugs near my ears were buzzing with a high pitch. 

At 0400 it was time to arise grab some food for the bus trip from Base Camp back to Uluru for a sunrise viewing....

Time to watch the sunrise

Cya

A trip to Uluru, Northern Territory, Australia

The JQ660 flight to Uluru (Alice Springs) airport was only 15 minutes late departing from Sydney. The liftoff appeared smooth and swift as we sat in the seats located in 4A/4B on the A320 aircraft.

The availability of onboard entertainment that came out when the plane had settled in for the 4.5 or so hour flight an iPad with pricing starting from $12 was declined. Only light snacks were offered during the flight.

The view of the Blue Mountains and on to Bathurst and then the view of wide expanses of land and what looked like deep white empty lakes on the flight with plenty of thick clouds also seen.

The descent past the clouds into Uluru allowed the left side of the plane to see the magical magicness of the big red rock to be seen out of the porthole style windows. Luckily we were on the left hand side and saw it perfectly.

The landing was near perfect and allowed the green grasses and trees to be seen at this time of the year.

The welcoming to the Anangu area was special....