Red Centre Road Trip

Uluru 

The Flight from Cairns to Alice Springs is 900 miles.  Interestingly, the time change is only 30 minutes, which puts us 15:30 ahead of home. 

We got to the airport and headed into town to collect our hire car (rental).  We picked up a 4 wheel drive, because our plans for the next four days includes heading on some unpaved roads in the outback.  We will be doing what is called the Red Centre Way, which covers some of the most beautiful and remote areas of this huge country.

Since it was Sunday in a very chill part of the world, we took it easy.  We checked out a local market, had a brat, bought groceries and headed to the Desert Park.  There we learned that Australia has over 135 varieties of venomous snakes.

Alice Springs is not a great place to spend a lot of time.  There are problems with drugs and the indigenous population that make crime an issue.

On Monday, our road trip began.  We drove west along the McDonald range.  The range is very old and is characterized by red rocks and vertical rock formations.  Our plan for the day was to drive about 100 miles, taking in the sites along the way.  The road was nice, not busy, and the crowds were non existent.  In fact, all day long we kept running into a German couple about our age at every stop.  They must have thought that we were stalking them.  Most of the stops were geologically significant and stunningly beautiful.  Since it was over 90 degrees and windy, it was great that many had water holes in which to swim.

The first stop, Simpson Gap had Black footed Rock Wallaby’s near a beautiful gorge.

One of four Black Footed Rock Wallabies we watched play in the rocks

The next place, Stanley Chasm  had beautiful vertical cliffs.  We took a short but very vertical hike to find a magnificent view of the Outback. 

Stanley Chasm 

View from our hike

An experienced hiker, no we did not do the whole hike

At Ellery Big Hole we found and oasis like setting.  The water was great in this first of three swims today.

Julie in the swimming hole

Top of another fine hike

At the Ochre Pits, we learned about the importance of this decoration for the original occupants of this area.  The site was still in use with huge fines for people touching or taking the ochre.  In typical Australian fashion, no fences, no guards, no crowds and no one disobeying the wishes of the owners of the land who loaned it to the government for educational purposes.

After another hike and swim we headed to our lodging for the night.  The Glen Helen “Resort” was 100 miles from Alice Springs and the only lodging since the town and for several hundred miles in this direction.  It was a converted cattle station and had the feel of a 1950’s roadside motel (think Bates motel).  We has Chicken Snitzel and Chicken Parmesan on chips (Australian comfort food) for dinner after consuming a couple of Gin and Tonics, all in the shadow of the magnificent wall of red rocks.

Glen Helen "Resort" 

Tuesday was the trip to Kings Canyon National Park.  We had planned  a 200 miles drive across the outback.  We headed out early on because the forecast was for 95 degrees and clear.  We started the day with a 5 mile hike along a gorge and you guessed it, a swim in the water hole.  During the 2 1/2 hour hike we were treated to marvelous views of the valleys and never saw another hiker. 

After a dip and topping off the fuel tank, we headed to Kings Canyon.  After 100 miles, we hit the unpaved portion.  In the entire 100 miles, we saw a total off four vehicles (2 moving and 2 parked).  Despite looking very closely at all the kangaroo crossings, we did not see any.  However, we were saw several groups of wild horses.  The wild camels and donkeys that can be seen on the ride eluded us, but the scenery and horses insured that we did not feel cheated.

Brumbies alongside the road

Our road trip vehicle on the left side of the road 

At sunset we gathered at the resort viewing area for stunning views of King Canyon.  This time, it is a real resort.

Wednesday we woke up early again.  We did a 4 miles hike at Kings Canon called the “Rim Walk.”  It started with a 300 foot climb and continued along the rim of the red rocked canyon.  Besides all the geological grandeur, the “Garden of Eden,” an oasis in the river valley was a highlight.

After the hike and a swim, we hit the road for Uluru (formerly called Ayers Rock) for our last stop on the Red Centre tour.  We had about a 200 mile drive and we were luck enough to see three Dingo’s (similar to dogs) enroute.  We ended the day with a sunset viewing of Uluru   It exceeded all expectations. 

We started our last full day in the outback on a sunrise camel ride.  The 4:30 start was rough, but well worth the effort.  Julie rode Kahn and I rode Muldor   We had a great time.

Julie and Kahn in a camel selfie - camels love selfies 

Me and my ride

After surviving the ride

Sunrise at Uluru 

We are goi finish up the day with a walk and some more pictures, but while I have good internet, I am going to post what I have on our outback adventure.  Our next stop will be the Great Ocean Road, west of Melbourne.