Central Australia 2014 - Day 9 Kings Creek Station to Redbank Gorge 250km

What better way to start the day than with a camel ride at Kings Creek Station? Well Flora, Bloom and Rose rode Daisy while Roadtrain had a ride on Tess.  Jackson only just broke in the camels from the wild.  We were fortunate to meet 80 year old camel whisperer Norm who has been visiting from South Australia and giving Jackson a hand to break in the camels.  Norm told us all about camels, that they chew their cud like cattle, that they spit because they can't be bothered chewing it all, that they sleep lying down, that they prefer to eat shrubs than grass.  Norm had lived in the Northern Territory for over 60 years & is a well-known identity and legend.  We believe he started the camel races many years ago. 

Bloom having a ride on Daisy

Norm (left) and Jackson (right)

Left Kings Creek Station and travelled the Mereenie Loop Road. This was 155km of rough and corrugated dirt road.  Our first stop was Gosse Bluff (Tnorala) to view one of the most studied meteorite impacts in Australia.  It was then onto Redbank Gorge, though we had to stop for Princess Fiona to have a close up encounter with WILD CAMELS.  Camp was at Woodlands campground. With camp set up we undertook our last walk for the day into Redbank Gorge.  This was a pleasant stroll along the river bed.

View from Mereenie Loop Road Lookout

Gosse Bluff from above

Princess Fiona was on the Lookout

WILD CAMELS (Princess Fiona was extatic)

Redbank Gorge

It finally happened and Princess Fiona was the first to meet and greet some people she knew from back home.

Central Australia 2014 - Day 8 Kings Canyon

Today we went to Kings Canyon; we completed a 6.5km hike around the rim of the Canyon.  It was up and down lots of rock steps and included a visit to The Garden of Eden.  We then visited the Kings Canyon Resort.  Russell, Reda, Jack and Roadtrain completed the Kathleen Springs walk, while Princess Fiona, Mrs. Reda, Rose, Bloom and Flora all went back to camp.

Kings Canyon

View from rim of Kings Canyon

Flora and Bloom at the Garden of Eden

Bridge on the rim walk around Kings Canyon

Central Australia 2014 - Day 7 Uluru to Kings Creek Station 274Km

Today started with an early 10km walk around Uluru for Reda, Mrs. Reda, Princess Fiona, Jack, Roadtrain and Rose.  Meanwhile Russell, Bloom & Flora decided to take up the more challenging walk for the morning and climbed Uluru.  While at the top Bloom lost a loose tooth!  Interestingly the rock climbers beat the base walkers back! 

With our morning exercise over we were on our way to Kings Creek Cattle Station, where we would be camping for the next two nights.

Fast Fact: Uluru (Ayers Rock) is Australia's most recognisable icon.  It is 348 meters high; however most of its mass is below ground level.  It is a profound and culturally significant monolith in Australia. 

Bloom on top of Ayers Rock

Flora on top of Ayers Rock

Central Australia 2014 - Day 6 Uluru and Kata Tjuta also known as The Olgas

Today we got up before sunrise so that we could watch it rise over Uluru.  It was then onto the Olgas to complete the 7.5km walk through the Valley of The Winds.   

Fast Fact: The Olgas is a formation of 36 rock domes extending 6 meters into the ground and is the remains of erosion that began more than 500 million years ago. 

Central Australia 2014 - Day 5 Curtain Springs to Uluru 100km

Today we still had an early start even though Uluru (Ayers Rock) was only 1 hour and 40 minutes away.  We stopped at a lookout, where we could see Ayers Rock.  From here we drove to Yulara and set up camp.

Later in the morning Russell, Reda, Roadtrain, Jack and Rose climbed Uluru.  This was followed by a swim back at camp to cool off.  Russell, Princess Fiona, Rose, Flora & Bloom went to see a Wakagetti Aboriginal cultural dance performance.  The day concluded with watching the sunset over Uluru, turning the rock a beautiful bright red colour.  This was a highlight of the trip and a must see for anyone going to Uluru.

Fast Fact: 'Wakagetti' means dance. 

Central Australia 2014 - Day 4 Coober Pedy to Curtain Springs 650km

Today it was the earliest start so far. Our first stop was Marla which is the last stop in South Australia.  After a little while Princess Fiona spotted the first camel of our trip (even if it was being transported in a trailer!) We then stopped at the border of South Australia and the Northern Territory.  Then after a while we arrived at Curtain Springs cattle station, about 100km from Uluru. Curtain Springs Station is owned by the Severin Family and within the Station is Mount Connor.

We made the Border

Curtain Springs Station with Mt Connor in the distance

Central Australia 2014 - Day 3 Port Augusta to Coober Pedy 541km

As soon as everyone was packed up we left bright and early to reach our third destination, Coober Pedy. Firstly we came across Woomera, an old rocket testing town.  We took a look at the information centre. Inside we saw a heap of things about rockets and the activities that they undertook.

Woomera Rocket

Our next stop was Lake Hart, for a quick photo.  Finally we came to Coober Pedy were we stayed at Riba's Underground Camping & Tourist Park.  Riba’s has the world’s only underground camping ground.

After setting up we decided to go for a little drive around Coober Pedy.  Most of the houses and shops are underground because it gets so hot in summer – as hot as 62 degrees celsius.  We went to a few of the underground shops, including St Peter & Paul's Catholic Church and a museum.

After tea we all went on an underground opal mine tour, at Riba's.  Rick told us all about opal mining and we had a turn at the divining wires to detect opal. 

Central Australia 2014 - Day 2 Mildura to Port Augusta 534km

Today we had an early start to the day, for the long drive to our 2nd stop Port Augusta in South Australia. As we were driving we went through a lot of towns along the way, but didn't stop to look at them. On our travels we went past a wind farm at Burra, there were 35 turbines. Once we reached Port Augusta we found a caravan park to stay in for the night.

Port Augusta

Miners Tower - Burra

Central Australia 2014 - Day 1 Yarrawonga to Mildura

Today we had a late start as Russell, Princess Fiona, Bloom & Flora set off on their third adventure, but we had to leave Chuck at home. Chuck did offer to come & rescue us if Russell ran into any trees or got us bogged!

We left home with the caravan on the back of the patrol. We were then ready to hit the frog & toad to make our way to our first stop Mildura. When we finally made it Russell & Princess Fiona were trying to find the Big4 caravan park where our other friends were staying. Let me introduce them, their names are Reda, Mrs. Reda, Jack, Roadtrain & Rose. As soon as we arrived we met them had tea & set up the caravan.