Leaving Uluru we intended to drive as far as Marla today then to Coober Pedy the next day however we changed our itinerary and decided to go straight to Coober Pedy….best decision ever made as there was nothing  at Marla…it was a dive!

The landscape along the Stuart Highway became more arid again south of Erldunda…As Trev drove along nearly at Marla…potential disaster…a large bolt dropped onto his foot ?? from the steering wheel…Branch kindly held onto it until we could stop at Marla to sort out the issue…fortunately it was just off the trim not anything important and easily remedied.

After a quick lunch stop in Marla…we continued on…the road straight and land arid on both sides. We passed the commencement of the Oodnadatta track and continued south determined to make Coober Pedy before nightfall.

As we drove into town at sunset the landscape was very surreal…..almost lunar…with conical mounds of sandy dirt from all the opal mining!

Driving through Coober Pedy to the caravan park we got the impression that this place was a very different and unique environment!!730kms done today!

First stop today was the camel farm…lots of familiar names including that of certain camels at the farm…..

Stephie was stinging for a camel ride but once we got on she said it was scary…in particular since Joe and Leanne’s camel “Norseman” was snorting and growling behind her….and her camel “Meryl ” (aka feral Meryl) was growling and sniffing my butt….We all enjoyed the camel ride …and then looked around the farm….they had a baby water buffalo, baby camel and and emu at the farm as well…

We then drove out to Kata Tjuta aka the Olgas and had lunch….then did the spectacular Valley of the Winds walk…..feeling very small and insignificant in the presence of such giant formations!!

Trev came to Leanne’s rescue when she froze going up a steep slope…Trev tried his hand at rock climbing…..

After the walk we returned to the resort coffee shop then went on to dinner….and farewelled Leanne and Joe who were getting up at 4am the next day to go to Kings Canyon….and we were travelling on to Coober Pedy.

An early morning drive out to Uluru was beautiful at sunrise…we could also see the Olgas in the distance….

We arrived at the cultural centre where we were hiring bikes to cycle around Uluru. The guy who owned the cycle hire business was really helpful and we started out on the 15 km ride at 0800.

Ayers Rock (Uluru) was more spectacular than we expected and also much larger….there were amazing eroded areas, waterfall tracts, cracks and even a waterhole at the bottom of a crevice.

The formation known as the brain was a perfect fit for Trev and there was also areas reminiscent of vertebrae and various organs…There was a wave rock to surf…The cycle round was great exercise and we got to see the rock in detail….including some amazing rock art…People were allowed to climb that day so Trev and Andrew decided to climb the rock…Trev made it the whole way…spectacular view from the top….and he met a firie mate Brian he had worked with up there!

On the way back we stopped for another photo op..Branch got in on the act!

That night we met at Joe and Leanne’s apartment….Trev was ecstatic to see some carpet…..it had been 10 weeks….

We were going on the Field of Lights tour…..a 7 football stadia area of fibre optic lights like a field of poppies….the night was freezing, it was a full moon but the lights were beautiful…hard to capture in a photo…

We left Kings Canyon Resort early to drive to Uluru…the temperature at 10 o’clock was only 13 degrees…..Branch was in shock…just a few hundred ks south and we had gone from 32 to 13!O n the way we stopped to take a look at Mt Connor….very impressive

As we got back in the car the Coopers had an issue that Branch could not wait to deal with..their loose tap had almost come off again!

Uluru came into sight…absolutely stunning….more spectacular than we expected!

After checking in to Ayers Rock Campground we went to the shopping centre at Yulara and who should we meet but Joe and Leanne who had flown in the day before…We worked out what we were going to see over the next 2 days and then went up to the lookout to watch the sunset on Uluru….amazing spectrum of colours.

Kata Tjutu …aka The Olgas was also visible in the distance…

Our day was spent at Kings Canyon…we decided to do the long walk…the rim walk as well as the shorter walk into the Garden of Eden. The day was cool and very windy but the sun was shining so out of the wind was warm

We ascended the 500 stone steps up to the top of the canyon with amazing views along the way.The countryside was beautiful with plenty of native plants in flower and lovely coolibah trees with their white trunks a great contrast against the red rock, greenery and blue sky.

The Mereenie sandstone formations at Kings Canyon were reminiscent of the beehives of the Bungle Bungles.The rock formations and patterns were striking and the canyon itself was spectacular with its sheer cliff faces.Trev was unaware that he had a crack issue 

We had a snack at the Garden of Eden which was in the bottom of the canyon..a permanent watersource with beautiful cycads and gums….a haven for wildlife in an arid place.

Back at camp a couple of mangy dingoes were scrounging for scraps….Sturts Desert Pea was in full bloom!

After the day’s walk we went up to the lookout platform at the resort to watch sunset over the ranges…another gorgeous end to an amazing day.

We met a lovely retired Christian couple Peter and Gerie who Trev in particular spent a lot of time chatting to…. as Gordie would say another “old mate”….it was encouraging to hear about their life story and their travelling adventures around Australia.

We were glad to be leaving Alice Springs today as everyone was rolling in for the Finke Desert Race this coming weekend…the caravan park was packed with big race rigs….huge buses towing race bikes/ vehicles etc…

We had a quick stop to pick up a new battery for the Prado and then were on our way. We had debated which way to go to Kings Canyon….the Mereenie Loop had been our planned option but we had been advised that the 198k section of unsealed road was really bad….we could also have gone the Edward Giles unsealed road that was about 1 hr shorter but again apparently after the wet it was in poor condition so we opted for the longer distance but all sealed road just to spare our vehicles and vans…..

Bad call!! A speeding 4WD overtook us 800m from Ebenezer Roadhouse and kicked up a rock which cracked the Prado’s windscreen …and the guy stopped at the Ebenezer Roadhouse (as did we) ….such an unnecessary overtake!!! Branch insepcted the damage very sympathetically…..such a disappointment after so many unsealed roads etc for us to get a cracked windscreen on a sealed main road!

The irony was it happened at Ebenezer…the definition of which is “the rock of remembrance”!! Definitely a rock to remember…and the crack has now enlarged to about 40cm long…..

The landscape out to Kings Canyon was very green (surprisingly) with trees that looked like she-oaks. An amazing cloud bank near the mountains looked like snow capped peaks!

We settled in to Kings Canyon Resort…..not a recommended place to stay…expensive, cold showers, no toilet paper, broken soap dispensers, small awkward sites…..but who is complaining!

The early morning start was slightly hampered by a couple of things….Andrews car alarm woke everyone and would not stop ….then we went to start the Prado…..flat battery again…..much to Branch’s delight there was some remedial action using Andrews car…then during this process Trev detected that Andrews battery was so loose it was ready to fall off….Branch was there – ably assisted by Stephie his new partner in crime 

We set off with our first destination the town of Hermannsburg  the place of a Lutheran Mission to the local aboriginals  commenced in the late 1800s…and the place of a reportedly legendary apple strudel.

The mission was an amazing place…such a testament to a positive effect that these particular early missionaries had on the local indigenous people, treating them as equal, sharing the Gospel with them, teaching and training them as well as supporting them to become independant…the historic buildings and the pictures and documents were fascinating.

The famous aboriginal artist Albert Namatjira grew up and lived in Hermannsburg and there was lots of his work and that of his relatives on display.

We saw beautiful artwork by many indigenous artists on display and for sale including the renowned Hermannsburg Potters whose unique pottery is widely sought after.

After a few hours and delicious coffee and home made strudel we left, letand drove out along the unsealed road/river bed to Palm Valley in the Finke Gorge. The drive out was really great 4WDing with sand, pebbly areas, river crossings, boulders….you name it…..1 hr to drive 24kms!

There was amazing landscapes on the way, brumbies and Stephie thought the ride was just like a roller coaster!

We walked the Palm Valley track and again saw beautiful red cabbage palms along the Finke Gorge….very unique in such a dry arid area…

Back to camp just before dark after a long but enjoyable day….strawberry pancakes to top it off 

That night I caught up with Francesca, one of the nurses I had worked with at STG ICU who now works at Alice Springs ICU….it was great to catch up with her and she took Trev and I on a tour of the new Alice Springs ICU….really great 10 bedded very busy unit!

Dawn at Karlu Karlu was just as spectacular as sunset…

We left early and drove on to Alice Springs..on the way stopping for a photo op of the “big man” ..also big woman and child at Airleron.

We arrived in Alice Springs, checked in to Macdonnell Range Caravan Park and set up then went to get supplies

Before we left Banka Banka Station Trev decided we needed to sort out the caravan tyre again which was still wearing unevenly despite the alignment in Perth….so we planned to stop at Tennant Creek for fuel and get the Bridgestone guys to take a look. We were meeting Ruth, Andrew and Stephie at Karlu Karlu (the Devils Marbles) today to continue the adventure with them for the next 3 weeks.

We arrived in Tennant Creek and Branch had a great time at Bridgestone with the guys who rotated tyres etc to allow us to continue on without buying new ones yet.

While we were there Ruth, Andrew and Stephie arrived so we met them and had coffee at a local cafe..it was great to see them and exciting to  continue our journey together….

Branch was really pleased to see them as instantly he was into action with the skylight they had left up on their journey!

We drove to the Devil’s Marbles and set up camp – fortunately we got there early enough to get a good spot…..later on the campground was so full that many people had to go elsewhere as there was no room.

We had our first meal together and then went exploring.

The Devils Marbles were spectacular…round boulders of granite, mica and feldspar….amazing sights…

Trev tried out his strength..lots of interesting photos…

Stephie and Trev swapped hats….

and Trev found the biggest crack he had ever seen!

Trev went awol at happy hour…..he cycled out to look at the number of vans in the campsite….and didn’t return for ages….looking at the number of vans no wonder…so many opportunities for a chat 😆…if Gordie was here they would never have returned!!

 

Sunset was beautiful with all the colours of the rocks, sun and sky…..and the rangers came around and gave us all a campfire talk about the area…

 

Branch had really been missing the fun and games with the Wells and Hunters….things had been quiet on the western front…..however this morning we were on schedule to leave, all packed up and Trev went to start the Prado to hook the van on and…..dead battery!! Branch was out like a flash feeling useful and loved 😆

The guy next door to us came over promptly with his battery starter that he had never used before..after a quick look, then a read of the instructions (!!) our car started and we were on our way….

Our lunch stop was the famous Daly Waters Pub with its huge collection of personal memorabilia including caps, badges, thongs, bras, undies and anything else you might find in lost property or a junk shop!

We looked for Rosie’s bra she allegedly left above the bar but it could have been any number of ones on display 😆

There was some ome NSWFB memorabilia….and an army namebadge from a “Shelton” soldier….

We arrived at Banka Banka Station and set up for the night. The station had a large collection of farming memorabilia and the original mud brick homestead was still standing…tho now used as the kiosk and laundry.