Day 6 - Kings Canyon

When asked if she'd watched the Dawn, 

Our Tour Guide stated

"The Sun has been rising for Millennia - 

It does not need my Supervision"

But I say when it Jumps Up - bangs on your door 

and says "Hey Look at Me". 

You just have to pay it some attention!  

(At least I didn't have to walk anywhere for this shot!)

We needed an early start for today as we were going to The Kings Canyon Rim.

A 6 km loop - that takes about 3 - 4 hours that is ONCE you climb the 500 rock steps to the Rim.

Yes OK - we checked it out and NO ONE on the tour thought it a good idea!

I have left this photo at full size.

If you look closely you can see a Japanese Couple on the steps - She had no Hat and was dressed entirely in Wool! 

(By her body language I think she was having second thoughts.)

The forecast temperature was for Over 35℃ and it was already climbing.

And it was only 9:30 am

We chose the 1 . 5 km Riverbed Walk. 

Taking much longer than the estimated 45 minutes as our Guide kept stopping to tell us about the local Indigenous Bush Food. 

And taking Photos for Random Tourists.

The Path was easy for those of our Group who were not as Young or Fit as they used to be.

You felt a sense of pure tranquil Peace.

"Core of My Heart - My Country"

And then you look UP -

To "Her Pitiless Blue Skies"

and the Soaring Sandstone Canyon Walls

And you realise how small you are in the Great scheme of things.

Time to head back to Base for Lunch and .... "Pics or it Didn't Happen!"

Is that Stowaway Frog ...

in a Helicopter?

Yes - He wasn't going to miss out on this extra treat.

Our 30 minute Flight took us

Over the ever changing Landscape

There had been Rain recently and the amount of Green against the Red Soil was surprising.

And Over Kings Canyon, where we had walked its Valley this morning.

Our Pilot informed us that this is where the Iconic 1998 QANTAS ad final scene was filmed.

*See footnote If you would like to see the most expensive Australian Advert ever made.

With Feet firmly back on the ground I was able to check my photos and was totally 'blown away' by the quality and detail of the shots from my Iphone 13 pro

(This photo is cropped to 75% and condensed for Web Viewing.)

Our Last event for today was Canapes and Cocktails while we watched the Sunset and Moon Rise over the George Gill Range 

I had the wonderful experience watching the absolute Joy of discovery, when teaching some of our new friends that there was more to Phone  Photography than Landscapes and Selfies. 

Some of the Reflection Photos they got were awesome with one Friend capturing the Full Moon in the bottom of Her Glass!

The Day Finished with Bruce Monro's Light Towers.  

 

Made entirely from Light Filled Bottles and set to a mesmerising Soundscape, we wandered trough its Maze just enjoying the experience.  

I Preferred it to Uluru's Field of Lights, which I thought very messy and chaotic.  

* * * 

The following is a statement from Bruce Munro

“The intention of Light-Towers is not to be some spectacle of lights that flash in the desert. Rather it is simply about enhancing the feeling of wonder and the sense of place that somewhere like Kings Canyon naturally gives you. I hope Light-Towers will become a place where people can reconnect with nature, reconnect with themselves and escape the noise of the everyday in an incredible location.”

And Kings Canyon is Certainly Incredible!

*Link to a Documentary on the Making of The QANTAS advert

I Still Call Australia Home

Day 5 - On the Road .. again

One thing I must say is ...

These tours really are NO GOOD for People who want to Sleep In!

7:30 am we were well and truly on the road with a full day's driving ahead.

85 km down the Road at Curtain Springs Station.  We enjoyed Morning Tea and an Informative Talk on the running of an Outback Cattle Station, before being whisked across the road to have a hands on demonstration on their side venture - Paper making with Local Grasses.

We stop to have another look at Mt Conner.

 

Standing 244 m above the plains and situated on the 1 Million Acre Curtain Springs Station, it is often mistaken by Tourists for Uluru earning the nickname "Fool-uru".

170 km later we stop for a quick Lunch at Kings Creek Station. 

Then on to Kathleen Springs. 

A lovely (if not hot) walk past Wildflowers and long deserted Cattle Yards leading to a deep Waterhole.

Signs along the track tell stories of Aboriginal Culture.

As the Setting Sun competes with the Rising Full Moon we settle in to our Accommodation for the next 2 nights. 

Having travelled just on 400 km we are looking forward to a Dinner we ordered 3 days ago and a Good Nights sleep.

 

Day 4 - Kata Tuja and Uluru

6:40 am The Chill was still in the air and  the Pre-Dawn Colour had already begun to fade but we pressed on to the Viewing Area to watch as the rising Sun painted Uluru in glorious Morning Colour.

The colour on the Rock was one thing but the way the Rising Sun illuminated everything else was spectacular.

Beautiful as it is we have to get going..

Kata Tuja, (The Olgas) translates as 'Many Heads' and comprises of 36 Domes rising from the surrounding plain.

Our first stop is Walpa Gorge on one side is the towering Mt Olga at 546 meters is considerably taller than Uluru.

Our short, rocky and very windy walk took us deep into the cut between 2 of the domes passing a small creek bed and ending  in thickets of Spearwood.

Heading back to Base - we stopped for Morning Tea at the Kata Tuja Dunes Viewing Area.

Many of these sites are Culturally Sacred to the local Anagu people and have restrictions on what you can photograph.

Our Base Tour of Uluru in the afternoon was punctuated with our Guides saying "No Photos from here on" and "Anything past this point is OK".  

Culturally sensitive sites are clearly marked and there is plenty of advice online as to how to get awesome shots and still  be respectful.

Which is why you often see Photos of Uluru with a well placed tree that is blocking some of the view!

And up close it is Stunning.

It truly is the Heart of Australia.

(I do not edit my Photographs so the colours are as taken.)

Our time at Uluru (Ayers Rock) is coming to an end but not before one last Night time event.

British Artist Bruce Munro's Field of Lights.

 

 

Day 3 - Alice to Uluru

Travelling the Length and Breadth of Australia by Train is One thing but If you want to go further and see more - You have to Hit the Road.  

And it is here we join Journey Beyond's OUTBACK SPIRIT TOURS.

This 24 Seat 4WD Mercedes Bus will be our Transport for the next 6 Days.

It is going to be another very Big Day, we will be travelling 500 km from Alice to Uluru. 

So it is Up early, meet our fellow passengers and Crew and get going.

Our first stop for the day is 200 km down the road so while we watch the unchanging landscape roll past, we have some paperwork to do.

What to have for Dinner tonight was ok but deciding next Tuesdays meal ...

 

And then the Bus Seat Rotation - We are in seat 13 today - Tomorrow we move to Seat 1 and so on.  No one gets a 'dodgy seat' was the explanation - Fair enough!

10:30 am We roll in to the Erldunda Roadhouse where Tea and Scones and Outback Hospitality was waiting for us.

Its basically the first building we've seen in 2 Hours and we were all glad to stretch our legs!

140 km down the Lasseter Highway we stop at the Mount Connor Lookout for Lunch which magically appeared from Under the Bus..

Our Driver explained that (what I thought was rubbish) was a Water dish left for the local Zebra Finches that travellers keep topped up.

We still have another 130 km to go before reaching our destination - 

First sighting of Uluru - (Ayers Rock) as it rises 348 meters from the surrounding plains.

Its been a long day and its not over yet!

Having settled in to our Hotel accomodation we were once again whisked away.

  

This time for Pre-Dinner Drinks and Canapés while we watched the changing colours of Uluru as the sun sets

Dinner with Old Friends and those newly met

As the sun gives way to the Great Southern Night Sky.

(I was hoping for some awesome Astrophotography but alas - It was a Full Moon tonight.)

Never mind - Put the Camera away and enjoy the Evening!

Day 2 - Marla

970 km North West of Adelaide and 402 km South of Alice Springs.

Where the Oodnadatta Track meets the Stuart Highway

This is Marla.

There is no Platform or Fancy Rail Station - We get off in the predawn chill, trudge towards blazing Fires - Hot Coffee and warm food, all provided by someone who was up a long time before we were.

We are stopping 2 km Out of Town 

to Watch the Sun Rise.

Some chose to Walk the Length of the Train to take that all important Photo of The Ghan Engine.

It was a VERY Long Train

So Others just chose to stay warm and Photobomb every shot they could!

Back on Board as we threaded our way back to our Cabin we got a Peek as to what Dining in Platinum was Like.

(I think I prefer the ambience of the The Queen Adelaide Car.) 

10:00 am We are advised that "We are about to cross into the Northern Territory. If you look out of the Right side of the Train you will see the Border marker."

You would think they could have put it a little closer to the Trainline...

The next Point of Interest was The Iron Man Sculpture- 

Built by Railway workers to mark the laying of the Millionth Concrete Sleeper on the Tarcoola - Alice Springs Rail Line.

By 1:15 we were rolling ito Alice Springs

1,500 km from either Adelaide or Darwin It is the Heart, The Soul, The Centre of Australia.

Why a Camel?

*Originally dubbed the Afghan Express, The Ghan train was named for the pioneering cameleers who blazed a permanent trail into the Red Centre of Australia more than 150 years ago; the original Ghan line following the route of explorer John MacDouall Stuart.

It is here we disembark and head off to our "Off Train Experience" ... 

We chose the Desert Park - 

Our Guides for the Day kept us amused with Stories of the Park. Informing us of its History and the Animals that call it home.

We wandered through the Paths and were educated about the Indigenous Flora - What was good to Eat or to Relieve a Stuffy Nose.

But the REAL reason I wanted to come was to see The Bird Show.

We watched the Australian Black-Breasted Buzzard break "Emu Eggs" with a Stone.  

And Learned that this innate behaviour and not a learned trick.

We Saw Owls and Kites and even some cheeky Locals that were not part of the Show.

And then The Beautiful Wedge Tail Eagle -

Giving me the Photographs that justified packing my 35mm Canon and Telephoto Lens.

With our Tour over it was then back to the Station and Collect our Luggage and say not Goodbye to The Ghan but "See you in a Week!"

*Source: Australia's legendary rail journey - The Ghan

ALL ABOARD . . .

We are off on another Adventure.

And even Stowaway Frog is excited.  

I am not sure what a Frog needs a Backpack for but he is thrilled to have one! 

It didn't take him long to settle in and start making Friends with the Fellow Travellers who were equally excited to be on The Ghan.

Our Journey takes us from Adelaide to Darwin - With a few side tracks along the way.

This Leg of the Trip gave us time to settle in and just relax.

Watching the ever changing landscape roll past while trying to take the best photos you can through the double glazed Train Windows.

Before long the Sun has set and you are seated in the Queen Adelaide Restaurant Car 

for a 3 Course Dinner featuring Local Ingredients.

DH chose the Grilled Kangaroo Loin for his Entree.

After Dinner Coffee, Nightcaps and Long Conversations were enjoyed in the Explorer Lounge.

And while we slept - The Train continued on into the Night.