Red Centre to Roxby Downs.

We ended up staying at Yalara for 3 days. Garry was very happy that he got to climb Uluru. The first few days we spent walking around the Rock and hiking in the Olgers. During this time the wind was too fast, so no one was allowed to climb Ayres Rock. Then on the day we were leaving they opened it. Garry found it very slippery and steep but loved the experience.

Stayed at Kulgera the next night at a roadhouse for $11.
From here we went to Finke(an Aboriginal Community)
and then through Mt Dare to Dalhousie Springs.
The amenities at Dalhousie were great but it was very hot 39 C and arid, so the hot water in the springs was not very refreshing. It would be a lovely place in winter as it is just like swimming in a hot bath.
Oodnadatta was our next stop. We free camped in the main street. Stopped in at William Creek on the way to
Lake Eyre.
We loved the serenity and beauty at Halligans Bay.
It was lovely out on the salt lake at sunset but alas, all the water had evaporated as far as the eye could see.
It was incredibly hot out on the salt pan. We saw a snake, some dragons and an emu while there.

After camping the night we went to head off but the battery was out of sparks. Garry jump started it with the thumper. Toward the afternoon we could smell
something funky, then the battery started to boil and it spat acid every where. We pulled into our camp spot at Coward Springs to find the battery was stuffed and so was the paint over the bonnet of the Navara. We washed every thing down with bicarb soda to try to neutralize the acid. Then rinsed with buckets of water.
We really enjoyed the nice cool natural spa after our
crappy day. It's strange to see water bubbling up, pooling and flowing in such an arid moonscape.
Coward Springs has plenty of shady large trees and
good amenities.
This morning Garry removed the nasty battery and replaced it with my 'little car charger'(that I use for garfish dabbing in the kayak). He then jump started it with the big Thumper Battery charger. My little car starter then got us as far as Roxby Downs so we could buy a new battery. Mean-while a rock flicked off the van and smashed the back window of the car canopy. The poor Navara is not looking very flash now.
We then set up in the caravan park then went to the Swimming pool for the rest of the day. It was lovely
floating around and doing a few laps to cool off.
We are going to the Flinders Rangers tomorrow after another swim, I hope. See ya.

Two nights near the Rock.

Have seen so many amazing places in the West MacDonnell Ranges. We spent 3 nights at Ellery Big Hole . Garry did the Saddle walk, it was about 9 km, mostly uphill.
 The rock hole was lovely although the water was very cold. The swimming hole was close to the campground and the loos even flushed. A very pretty spot and perfect for the hot weather we had. High 30's and tropical.
Next we stayed at Ormison Gorge. The camp had showers ect although a national park.

Very beautiful with big red cliffs, lots of trees, running water, heaps of wild flowers. Garry and I did the Ormison Gorge and  pound walk. It took us about 5 hours but I loved every minute of it. There were wild flowers everywhere and spectacular rangers and red cliffs, flowing creeks. The last part we had to swim through the gorge / creek about 150 meters.

Also went to Palm Valley and walked along the cliff for a couple of km' then came back via the water course. The road in was a 4x4 track, it was fun and lovely. Was a hot day and the water was not deep enough for swimming but the valley seemed really ancient and  beautiful .
Redbanks Gorge was my favorite spot so far. It was about 20 minutes walk from carpark along creek with big red cliffs ,flowing water .The chasm that the water runs through runs into the cliff by a couple of hundred meters. The walls of the chasm look to be about 100 meters high. I went for the most amazing swim, climb, slip over rocks, into the chasm. Up inside it seemed like a natural cathederal, I swam past a Pygmy Mulga Monitor . It was a great adventure.Went back in a small way with camera a second time to video the lizzard. I will try to put it on youtube and add a link.
Yesterday we drove the 4x4 track south towards Uluru and the Olgers. Spent last night camping at a road side rest area and had a fantastic thunderstorm. The heavy rain didn't manage to wash off our orange mud though.

Today went walking around Ayres Rock (Uluru) I was blown away by how big and Majestic it is. Vegetation around it is nice too.

Well must get some sleep cos I'm looking forward to seeing The Olgers tomorrow.Garry's already getting some Zzzzz's. xx

Yes we are still alive.

Hi all, just a quick one at Curtin Springs. We have been without a signal for ages so not able to ring or blog. Have been having a fantastic time in the West MacDonnell Ranges.
Stayed at Ellery Creek and Ormison Gorge. Both fantastic. Will elaborate later when have more time. At a internet booth at moment pay by the minute ^#$@%*&*!.
Today we will see The Rock and Olgers. Hope you are all well and ok.

8/11/10 East MacDonnell Ranges.

We have just arrived back in Alice after spending a few days in the East MacDonnell Ranges. It was fantastic. We camped in Trephina Gorge. It was a lovely campground costing $3.30

per night. The gorge was a sandy creekbed with flowing water, red gums, wildflowers, lots of birds and lizards all surrounded by big red cliffs. The best bit was a really beautiful deep rockhole that we swam in each day. Nice warm rocks to lay on to warm up, if we stayed in too long, were a bonus also.
Garry and I also went on some lovely walks around the area.

The best was the panorama walk, up to a high peak that had amazing views of the surrounding ranges.
Went to N'Dhala Gorge one day. Very pretty with almost 6000
indigenous art carvings and paintings. Also enjoyed gold mining area, Emily &Jessie Gaps and Ross River.

Today we will head to Ellery Creek Bighole and spend about a week in the West MacDonnell National park. Must do the washing and shopping first.

Heaps of rain continued while we were at Mambray Creek, falling over most of the north of the state. Consequently many of the northern roads were closed. So we decided to hit the bitumen and head up the Stuart Hwy while we had a tail wind.

The land we travelled through was really beautiful. I was expecting to find it flat and boring. The whole way was interesting, green and varied. I liked that the land hasn't been cleared, so there is lovely native scrub most of the way. A feeling of tranquility
seemed to accompany seeing the horizon.
We found some lovely Sturt Desert Pea at Glendambo.

We spent the night of 30/10/10 at a free roadside rest area called Lake Hart. It was quite
pretty looking out over a large salt lake and the scrub.
31/10/10 we went to Coober Pedy. The underground buildings were great.
 I felt sad when an old indigenous man told me he was' hungry and needed some money'. I didn't want to be a sucker or cause all the watchers to come begging also, so I just said 'me too' and smiled and walked away. I have had such a privileged life yet I was too mean to give him anything. I was uncomfortable and disappointed myself.

Further North we went to "The Breakaways". An arid terrain of coloured landforms.
We were unable to see 'The Painted Desert" because the road was closed due to rain.
Hoping to see a lot of areas East of Stuart Highway once it all dries out on the way back down.
The night of the 31/10/10 we camped in the South Cadney rest area. A patch of native scrub well off the Highway.Another freeby.
Last night 1/11/10 our camp at Finke River rest area was fantastic. Our first night in NT.
We enjoyed the lovely flowing water and lush vegetation in a wide sandy creek bed.
We even had the luxury of a loo instead of porta dunny.
Today arrived in Alice Springs. Wow, what a town, I love it. The town meanders through the rugged ranges with the sandy creek bed in the middle. It's casual, interesting and beautiful. Tonight at the Wintersun caravan park after 'Lassiters Casino" for the Cup.
Will be meeting Roy Crouch here in Alice tomorrow night, as he is on his way to Adelaide.
Then we plan on camping in the East McDonnell Ranges next.

Straight up the Middle.