Fri.14/9.

Arrange a late check out of caravan park so can do the walk around Uluru before we leave. We start at the Kuniya walk & go anti-clockwise. Quite cool to begin with especially near the rock where the wind is blowing quite strongly. Wonderful walk being so close to the rock at times & at others walking through the bush. Get a real feel for the majesty, magic etc. of the place. Very interesting rock formations, patterns caves etc. etched into the rock & everywhere a photo opportunity. Go into the Kantju Gorge – almost a religious feel where you felt you had to whisper. Here there is a sheer rock wall where the water must cascade down when it rains & a permanent water hole at the bottom. Nearby are caves where once aboriginals would have sheltered. Everywhere there are unusual rock formations & above there is always the presence of the rock! Time runs out too quickly & we have to return & pick up the caravan & get back on the road. A very enjoyable visit & a most remarkable memory! Stop at Curtin Springs on the Lasseter Highway for lunch & then able to make it a short way down the Stuart Highway before stopping for the night at Kulgera. Little wildlife to be seen along the way except for crows & kites on road kill.

Cave in the rock - Uluru.

                                                   

Uluru.

 

Kantju Gorge.

 

Sat. 15/9

Into South Australia today. Scenery changed dramatically – lot sparser & few trees. The road however was pretty good. On approaching Coober Pedy the landscape becomes a moonscape – mounds of earth everywhere & not a tree to be seen! The town itself looks like a shanty town with little vegetation – a real dust bowl. Set up & do a bit of a tour of the town & visit a couple of opal shops.

 

Coober Pedy.

 

Sun. 16/9.

Do a bit more touring. Go to a couple of underground displays one of which was in a hotel. Remarkable buildings gouged out of the rock. The displays on fossils, mining etc. were very interesting. Was spoilt & bought an opal pendant necklace that was designed & made in Coober Pedy – very special! Go for a drive out to the Breakaways – a small cluster of hills made up of different coloured rocks - going through some very desolate countryside on the way. One spot glistened with many fragments of mica laying on the surface. There were a couple of lookouts with great views of the rock formations.

 

The Breakaways.