DAY EIGHT - Kata Tjuta

Sunday, October 13

We drove to the Kata Tjuta site near Uluru in the morning and walked the Valley of the Winds trail.

In the afternoon we left Uluru and drove to the Erldunda Desert Oaks Resort campsite.  The town of Erldunda claims to be located at the center of Australia.  There are five other nearby towns that also claim to be the geographic center of Australia.  Each town used a different method to determine its location as the center of Australia.  The Australian government has not chosen one of those five towns as an official center of the country.  So, Eridunda looked at the map and pointed out that their town is at a geographic center point between the five towns claiming to be the center of the country.  Therefore, Erldunda claims it should be considered the official center of the country. However, the government has not declared that to be the case.  

Near our campsite, Melissa made a friend.

DAY SEVEN - Uluru

Saturday, October 12

We left our campsite early for Uluru - previously known as Ayers Rock. We had our breakfast along the way at the end (from our direction) of the Red Centre Way.

At Uluru we walked in the morning to two waterholes. The Uluru site is important to the local Aboriginal group - or mob as they like to refer to themselves.  The color of the rock changes with the light.

In the evening we watched the sunset over the site.

DAY SIX - Red Centre Way

Friday, October 11

We began the day with the Kings Canyon Rim Walk.  Our walk started at 8 am and the trail closed for new starts at 9 am due to a forecast of hot weather.  The walk was actually quite comfortable for us with a steady wind and some clouds that cooled down the sunshine's expected heat.

After the rim walk, we drove on to spend the night at Curtin Springs Station.

DAY FIVE - Red Centre Way

Thursday, October 10

Our first stop today was the Gosse Bluff Comet Crater.  This Crater rises up above the ground level due to the force of the impact (about 145 million years ago) that created rock that did not as easily erode as the surrounding land.  

We hiked the inside of the Crater and then left for the Mereenie Loop Road.  This unpaved gravel and dirt road is known for flat tires from pot holes and the corrugated, washboard surface.

When it rains the flood level in drainage areas can be very high - even higher than most SUVs - and there are warning signs along the road.

We also saw horses, cattle and camels along the Mereenie road. 

Back on the paved road, we drove to the Kings Canyon area to spend the night at a camp site at Kings Creek Station. 

DAY FOUR - Red Centre Way

Wednesday, October 9

We started our day at Serpentine Gorge with a  lookout walk. Then we visited the Ochre Pits, the Ormiston Gorge and ended the day at the Redbank Gorge campground.

The Serpentine Gorge is avoided by the Aboriginal peoples.  We started our day here and walked up to an overlook.

Then we visited the Ochre Pits.  These pits are sacred to the Aboriginal people and access is limited.  The pits had white, yellow and red colored Ochre.  The Ochre is put on people as part of various ceremonies. Traditionally, only the men can collect the Ochre.

Then we went the Ormiston Gorge and took advantage of another waterhole.  

Last stop for the day was our campsite for the night.