Kings Canyon - Alice Springs

Saturday morning found us retracing our steps along the Lasseter Hwy until we came to the junction to take us to Kings Canyon, it was about a 3.5 hr journey. We decided to stay at the Kings Canyon Resort Camp Ground, that is situated right inside the national park and approximately 10klms from the base of Kings Canyon. We did not attempt the Rim Walk as it is a very strenuous walk, with a challenging 500 step climb, instead enjoyed the 2.6km walk along the creek tracing the bottom of the gorge, the colours of the canyon are ever changing.
After a two night stop over at Kings Canyon it was on the road again heading to Alice Springs along with the hoards of Grey Nomads that are also heading north.
Today we took a trip out to the Macdonald Ranges and enjoyed the short walk to Simpsons Gap which is another stunning gorge where water flows through a small gap in the range. We also saw a couple of small black-footed rock wallabies that live on the rocky slopes on either side of the creek. Then it was onto Standley Chasm ,we had timed our visit to Standley Chasm well as you need to be there at noon as that is the best time to observe the sun effect within the Chasm. It was also a very enjoyable 40 minute walk that took us along creek beds and some scrambling over rocks at times, but it was certainly worth the effort.

Sunset Kings Canyon

Creek walk Kings Canyon

Creek walk Kings Canyon

Creek walk Kings Canyon

Simpsons Gap

Simpsons Gap

Standley Chasm

Standley Chasm

Uluru

Wednesday found us tossing the coin as to whether we would hit the road, or stay at Coobar Pedy until there was more improvement in the weather. We made the right decision to head nth as the further nth we drove the better the weather got. Mid afternoon we had reached the NT-SA Border and along with sixteen other caravaner's and Wiz Bangs, thought this would be a good place to spend the night. It was a good rest area with a sealed parking area much cleaner under foot than some caravan park's that we have stayed at recently.
Next morning we were on the road by 9am looking to fuel up at Erldunda, before heading west into Uluru (Ayers Rock). The first sight of the monoliths was Mt Connor, many tourist get this confused and think it is Uluru. Arriving at the Ayers Rock Resort it was not long before there was quiet a line of caravan & motor homes waiting to check in, always seems as if we are the only ones on the road, but you only need to stop for a few minutes and then other travelers start to rock in.
After a bite to eat it was into the National Park where there is a $25 per person entry fee that will give you access for three days. As it was 1978 when we last ventured into this region, there certainly have been a lot of changes, of course the Rock is the same but the camp ground and resorts have been relocated to about 20klm from Uluru and of course now there are lovely sealed roads, not the red dirt tracks that we had to contend with.
On the approach to Uluru we were again in awe of this magnificent natural formation, and the stunning Kata Tjuta (The Olgas) glad that we had decided to revisit after so many years.
OMG, could not believe that Bazza and I had previously climbed that very steep, treacherous, scary Rock! We had forgotten just what a strenuous climb it is!
Giving the climb a miss, yes because we were scared and not fit enough, we enjoyed the Mala Walk to Kantju Gorge along the base of Uluru. We then headed for the sunset viewing area to get positioned to marvel at the ever changing colours.
A rather fresh morning today, found us heading back into the park to explore The Olgas, we were glad that we had witnessed visitors climbing Uluru yesterday, as due to the winds today the climb had been closed. On arrival at The Olgas we took the Valley of the Winds Walk to the Karu lookout, it was a relevantly short walk of 2.2kms return that gave us an impressive view of the lush vegetated valley.
Before returning to the caravan we did a quick circumnavigation of Uluru by car, then onto the Resort shopping complex, where there are specialty shops and an IGA etc.

NT-SA Border

NT-SA Border Rest Area (free night)

Mt Connor

Steep, treacherous climb

Uluru

Sunset - moon rising above Uluru

Sunset

Kata Tjuta (The Olgers)

Kata Tjuta (The Olgers)

Valley of Winds (The Olgers)

Coober Pedy

Monday morning we left Port Augusta heading north on our journey to Darwin. It was lovely sunshine when we left, and all the wild life were out and about again. One poor emu that we came across had just suffered impact from a vehicle that was towing a caravan, it's carcass was being removed from the road and there were feathers everywhere. The road kill on this section of the road was really bad, dead cows, kangaroos and emu's we had to slow down many times to avoid doing any damage to our vehicle and adding to the carnage,
The lakes that we passed actually had water in them, and one that was especially pretty was Lake Hart, it has a rest area there that overlooks the lake, and many travelers stop off there for an overnight stop. As it was only 11.30am when we arrived decided to push on bit further.
The Defence Force are carrying out exercises this month, so the Stuart Hwy is closed to traffic for 4hrs every second day between Bon Bon and Ingarmar which is about an 80klm stretch. Monday it was closed between 10am and 2pm, the road had only just opened when we arrived at the Bon Bon rest area, where we ended up stopping for the night, along with a dozen other caravaner's and 3 whiz bangs. Also stopped there was this fellow that was riding a push bike to Alice Springs, he slept in his swag on the ground only protection from the driving rain & wind that we had last night was the roof covering the picnic tables. Bazza asked him if he would like some hot water for a drink and he replied "if you have the coffee to go with it". This morning once again Bazza offered him a coffee and also gave him 3 weetbix in a bowl. as the only thing he has to eat are tins of tuna and he get fresh water from passing motorists. He told us he stops every 5klms for a smoke and has a shower every 1000 klms! Did not get too close and poured boiling water over the utensils he used.
The rain we had last night continued today so it was a wet & windy trip into Coober Pedy, arrived at the caravan park by 10am. The weather cleared late this afternoon, but has rained again since. We will probably leave here tomorrow if the weather is fine, as on a previous visit we had done all the tourist things. Had planned to go out to the Breakaways, but after all this rain the road is closed and it could be days before it is open again.

7metre wide load (generator)

Bon Bon rest area ended up like a caravan park

Wet and soggy at Coober Pedy caravan park

Port Augusta

Finally got away this morning after saying our final farewells and traveled 125klms to Port Augusta. On the way we saw many Kangaroos, Emus and old decaying homesteads dating back to around the 1860’s

The first port of call was to locate a Woolworth s  to restock the van and we also filled up with diesel. The price of diesel compared to when we were here 5 yrs ago is 33c per litre less, so we are very hopeful we will not be paying the exuberant prices that we paid when travelling to Darwin in 2008.

Rawnsley Park Station - Flinders Rangers

Day 1: There was not any rush to get away today, as we only had to travel 40klm. We had decided our next stop would be at Rawnsley Park Station a working sheep station, that has diversified the business with a caravan park, budget cabins, eco cabins and a restaurant.

It was a very spectacular drive this morning with the early morning sun highlighting the impressive Flinders Rangers , seeing many Kangaroos ,Emus and  Wedge Tail Eagles.  Upon arrival we were directed to a very large gravel site, now that we are in Outback South Australia we can’t expect to see any grass.

Late morning we were back in the car again heading the 25klm to Wilpena, where we went for a two hour walk into an old homestead of early settlers and from there attempted the climb to the top of the pound. The first part was relatively easy but the last 400 mtrs was very steep, so decided after reaching the 200mtr mark that to go any further with my ankle limiting my ability would be silly.  With a couple of other people from the group we descended to the first lookout, from here you were still able to appreciate the unique formation of the ranges that forms the circle of the pound. We managed without incident to descend the rest of the way and walk out to the designated pick of area and await the shuttle bus with 15 minutes to spare.

Day 2: A slow start today as Bazza actually had a sleep in this morning, after all the exercise yesterday, so my breakfast was 1hr later than usual.

We decided today to do the half day self drive route that took us through Brachine Gorge and Bunyeroo Gorge. The drive took us off the black top onto a dusty, corrugated road that deteriorated to a track with many dry river crossings and at times travelling along the actual river bed. On the return journey of the trail we were following a ridge line before descending into the Bunyeroo Valley.  Before we left the black top to drive into Brachine Gorge we stopped at Hucks Lookout,  Appealinna Ruin a Heritage Site that was a site of many arguments and fights between the settler and miners. The miners wanted access to the natural spring on the property to water their horses and stock, eventually the area where the spring was located was removed from the farmers lease. The every changing scenery was amazing with the spectacular rock formations of the gorges to the vast valley areas.
Day 3: This was our day to just hang out at the Station, catching up with the washing and washing the caravan floor etc.  We offered to dog sit our neighbour’s dog, so they could go into the National Park and go on the walk to the old homestead and lookouts. On their return they were very grateful and gave us a bottle of wine, which we shared with them that night. During the day we had time to explore the station and go for a walk out to the gap lookout.

Hills Homestead Wilpena Pound

Taking in the scenery Wilpena Pound

200mtrs from the top, as far as I could go!

Sunset Rawnsley Park Station

Hucks Lookout

Harsh Enviroment

Wills Homestead 1856

Garden area behind the stone wall Wills Homestead

Bunyeroo Gorge

At Rawnsley Park Station

Campsite Rawnsley Park Station

Dry creek bed Rawnsley Park station

Burra - Hawker

Awoke to a very brisk and overcast morning, with the occasional shower of rain. Had thought we would spend more time at Burra exploring the Historic Township, but as weather conditions were not very pleasant, after a quick tour around the town and a trip up to the open cut mine lookout, we left Burra to head north. Today we saw many wind farms in the distance dotting the hill line, with their slow moving blades. The scenery was constantly changing from open flat plateaus to saltbush and hills.

W e made a slight detour into the old railway town of Teowie, the population is only 150 and many of the buildings are boarded up and deserted, which is a typical depressing sign of many outback towns. Teowie was once a busy railway town where the rail carriages had to be unloaded and reloaded as the railway lines changed from narrow to a wider gauge. Our next stop was Peterborough where we had a guided tour of the Steam Town Heritage Rail Centre with the only remaining triple gauge turntable in the world. Steam trains and carriages are all housed and displayed in the 23 bay Roundhouse building.

Leaving Peterborough we headed further north before stopping for a quick lunch break at Orroroo. Arriving at Hawker we quickly settled in to the caravan park and then it was time for walk around the township. The weather has improved slightly, not so chilly and damp

Open cut copper mine Burra

Miners Dugouts

Burra Town Hall

Roundhouse Peterborough

Mildura - Burra

Woke to a blue sky this morning so headed off, but it was not long before the weather deteriorated with intermittent heavy showers. Stopping along the way at Renmark which is located on the banks of the Murray River, a visit to the local Chemist to get the drugs that will keep us going a bit longer. The next stop was Berry, where we found a nice park beside the Murray to have our lunch, a very heavy shower of rain passed over while we were there so did not get to explore too much. The next little town was Morgan a lovely Heritage town with a vehicular crossing over the Murray. We arrived here at Burra just after 3pm, at least the weather was fine but a bit chilly, so rugged up and went for a hour long walk after being car bound for so long. We are looking forward to exploring Burra tomorrow as it has many Heritage buildings and a old open cut copper mine.

Murray River Renmark

Berry waterfront

Old bridge Burra