Australia (6) - Alice Springs - Uluru, Kata Tjutu and Kings Canyon...oh and flies!!!

After spending 4 extra nights in Airlie Beach we were finally able to escape. We headed north to Cairns where we spent 2 nights looking around town and drinking with friends; it was a shame as we would of liked to have spent more time there and done more but time was against us due to the flooding. On the 4th we got a flight from Cairns to Alice Springs; the centre of Australia. I think Alice Springs is the furthest I have ever been away from the sea (approx 950 miles); out of interest the furthest city from the sea is Urumqi in China (1500 miles).

The main reason for going to Alice Springs was to get on a tour of Uluru/Ayers Rock. We went with a company called Rock Tours. The first day we drove 500km to Kings Canyon

The walls of Kings Canyon are over 300 metres high, with Kings Creek at the bottom. Part of the gorge is a sacred Aboriginal site and visitors are discouraged from walking off the walking tracks. We walked the Kings Canyon Rim Walk which traces the top of the canyon and drops in to the canyon to a water hole called the Garden of Eden. Needless to say I had a swim as shown above. Our guide Scott was able to explain the geology and cultural significance to us; explaining the aboriginals use of plants such Ippi Ippi (plaster) and the Blood Gum Tree (Antiseptic) and the punishment system. On the way back we pulled over to collect fire wood and I had an accident, a large branch fell and landed on my head cutting it open. Loads of blood little fuss...Sam went in to panic mode.

Shortly after this incident sun set occurred and the pictures below show the areas beauty:

Sam helped with dinner (Chilli Con Carne) that night and we had a lovely night under the stars. We woke up early and headed out to collect more fire wood and watch the sun rise over the outback.

Beautiful...We then headed on to Kata Tjuta (also known as the Olgas) which are a group of 36 domes, covering an area of 21.68 km², composed of cobbles and boulders stuck together by sandstone. The area has much secret spiritual importance to the Aboriginals which can not be shared with outsiders of their community. The highest peak is Mount Olga 546m above the surrounding area and is covered in lush green vegetation, though this is not normal and has been caused by the 10 times higher rainfall than normal this year.

After Kata Tjuta we went to the big rock, Uluru. We had a small walk around the base looking at the cultural sites of the rock and the geology. Uluru (also known as Ayers Rock) is the worlds largest rock, 348m above the surrounding area it also goes 10km underground, just like a ice berg. Walking around we saw some large lizards, Perentines wandering around. The rock up close looks different and alien.

Once we had finished looking up close we headed to a view point over looking the rock, waiting for the sun set. It was amazing seeing the different colours of the rock...

We had dinner whilst we watched the sun set and the headed to our camp site for beer and bed. Another day, another early start. We headed back to where we saw the sun set to see the sun rise...

 When the sun had finally raised we walked around the base of the rock.

On the way back to Alice Springs we popped in to a Camel Farm for a quick ride...rocky but fun.

Today we flew from Alice Springs to Adelaide where we will be spending a couple of nights...hopefully with a dolphin swim as well.