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....

Remarkable Cave in 115 steps

Short walk to the viewing platform it's a but slippery. From the top giant kelp can be seen growing around rocks as waves was over their tentacle like leaves. The binoculars certainly helped.

Ghosts were hiding on the night tour

Booked in for the second nightly ghost tour at 830pm and the group left on time. Our tour guide Clare sought volunteers for the tasks of lantern holders and some came forward. All those on the tour returned I think? Perhaps there was a body count?

Touring the Port Arthur historic site at night was certainly interesting and exciting and definitely not for the faint hearted.

Lots of gruesome stories from times long ago. Slept well after arriving back at home after a long dark walk and always looking behind to make sure no ghosts were following.

Strangely a picture taken on the tour has a face of someone not from the group.

Cloud juice among the old trees

At Corinna the clouds opened up and allowed us to fill up our containers with cloud juice. At the local, they have cloud juice tanks where you can top up your water containers before walking among the tall and old trees.

The Huon Pine trail only a short 300m boardwalk is signposted with pictures and descriptions of the many varieties of old trees that are there. Examples include the Huon, Leatherwood, Myrtle Beech, Sassafras, Celery-Top Pines, Blackwoods.

The forest floor is littered with many of the old trees that have fallen over with such a shallow root system exposed one wonders how they grew so tall and old. The shrubbery is also a delight with the fungi that are coloured from white to black, red and blue all glistening from the cloud drops as they help dispose of the big old trees. The range of mosses, lichen, liverwort and ferns are outstanding.

The Pieman river is so wide and peaceful as we prepare to cross the Fatman ferry barge as we head out from the wilderness at the Tarkine Hotel located at the southern edge of the Tarkine towards Zeehan.

Got to keep moving.....

Harvest Markets and Festivale

We left Wynyard after some opp shopping, spent another night in Cooee (Outside Burnie) on our way back toward the Rally at Launceston stopping two nights at Sheffield on our way.

A late night picnic on the beach in anticipation of local fairy penguins

A view from the main street of Burnie, looking straight out into Bass Strait

Exploring the fabulous view behind our free camp spot

The free camp spot, with dump spot & free drinking water, public toilets 500m away.

Lovely people, we hope to meet on our travels around Tas.

Cooee

Driving off to Sheffield, we head inland to see some more of the fabulous countryside, to discover a warm welcome and a delightful town who re-invented themselves when the town was going broke by creating an annual mural festival..... Painting the town all colours. A free camp site provided with abundant water so I did some washing

We choose a site with it's own garden & amazing Bumble bees.

The local steam train puts in a special appearance (normally only weekends)

We are joined by a few other campers

Examples of the town buildings painted in Mural....

....to depict the history & story of the town & area.

The festival includes artists from around the country & invites them to a park to

display their work.

The local school children get involved too.





On to Launceston now to meet up with two hundred odd other MH'ers for some fun & frivolity. The Tasmanians were very welcoming & supportive of the boaties & mainlanders as we are affectionately known. Stephen won a silver medal in the Disc bowls competition and his non-supportive wife went off to enjoy festivale.

Silver Medalist Stephen McNamara & "THE BOATIES"

The motor home rally site behind Aurora Stadium

Albert Hall in Launceston, a magnificent building fronting City Park where Festivale was held 

An example of the quaint buildings in any street, like Sydney but not so congested.

Some juggling busking fireman at Festivale, balancing on their ladders.

Some of the young performers at Festivale

Some of the yummy food available with fresh berries...

Fabulous entertainment into the night

Visiting the Harvest  Markets in Launceston and today was the first annual birthday of the weekly markets. Lots of fresh local produce, demonstrations and food for sale.
Festivale is also being run this weekend too.

Interactive Gardens for the children to identify their vegetables, 

Inspired by Stephanie Alexander, available to schools

 Food Demo Australian Good Food Guide Chef

Some of our fabulous food purchased from the market....

Sourdough Bread, strawberries, beetroot, cilantro, cheese......

Well that's another fabulous week in Tassie, tune in for next weeks adventure.....

Wynyard and Fossil Bluff, Table Cape

After a short drive from Cooee Point to the car boot market in Wynyard we set out to discover some more of Tasmania's delights.

Arriving at Fossil Bluff, clear crystal waters

The view from the car park

Fossils embedded in the rocks millions of them from the volcanic erruptions

The view North from the beach featuring the bluff

The view south from the beach taking in the headlands still to discover

The beautiful native grasses along the beach

The view Nth from the bluff overlooking the Wynyard Golf Club

After a fabulous walk & lunch by the ocean we went back to town and checked out the showground, where the locals were still playing cricket so we headed to a look at Table Cape Lighthouse & poppy fields along the way

These paddocks are all over Tassie, the opium poppies that provide around 70% of

the worlds supply of opiates for drug companies. Highly guarded & protected. Very big industry

for Tasmania.

The beautiful Table Cape Lighthouse, the only public access working Lighthouse in Tassie, overlooks a gorgeous Tulip farm in Spring

The view from the lookout, photo doesn't do the view justice, it was just magnificent.

Our trusty home enjoying the view

While tulips cover these fields in Spring, I think Lillies are currently growing here, not many flowers ATM

Then back to town & witnessed the locals enjoying a fabulous afternoon on the river

For my massage friends, this is the plaque for Frederick Alexander, 

who created & discovered the Alexander Technique.