Red Centre

Hong Kong & Australia 2006 (3/6)

2006 found us on a big trip to Hong Kong and Australia. I say "big" because we took 3 weeks instead of our normal 2 and we had a lot of flights getting from A to B to C etc. We had help with the booking this year in the form of Karen and team at Bon Voyage. Our itinerary was:

Because there are so many photos, each of the above is on a separate page - please click on the one you'd like to visit. This section is repeated on each page so it's easy to get from one to the other.

Darwin Day 3/Red Centre Day 1 and we were on the move again. A lazy morning before catching the plan to Alice Springs ready to visit the Red Centre - another new area for both of us. We were booked on a 3 day camping trip (yes ... camping!!) to visit Uluru, Kata Tjuta and Kings Canyon. We didn't see much of Alice on the day we arrived but we did have a lovely meal at Blue Grass restaurant and can definitely recommend a visit.

Another early start with Australian Adventure Tours picking us up at 6 a.m. for the long drive to Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, staying at Yulara for our first night.

First stop a camel farm. Shirley was "braver" than Jonathon and ventured round the paddock on Goldie - what a nice camel!!

From there we drove to our camp to enjoy lunch. Well, when I say camp - it's a permanent camp with real beds, shower blocks, power etc. so it's not like we had to put our own tents up etc. Far more civilised.

While Adam, our hosty for the trip, prepared lunch for us we had a chance to go up to the local lookout and catch our first glimpse of Uluru and Kata Tjuta.

Plenty of pretty scenery to see from the lookout too - the colours were lovely.

Our exercise for the day was in the form of a 5km+ hike through the Valley of the Winds to the Karingana Lookout at Kata Tjuta. Pretty hard going, more because of the heat than anything else but we both got there and back in one piece and felt quite pleased with ourselves.

Kata Tjuta means "Many Heads" reflecting the 36 steep sided domes making up Kata Tjuta. This area is important and sacred under Anangu men's law and whilst visitors are welcome you are asked to keep to the paths etc (as you would expect).

The scenery along the walk was spectacular and we were even lucky enough to see some wild kangaroo - not a very good picture - sorry!

Throughout the hike Carl, our tour guide for the 3 days, filled us in with information about the rocks, the fact that they're made of basalt, granite, sandstone and mudstone - Jonathon paid rapt attention!

From there it was a quick drive over to Uluru to watch the colours change as the sun set

Back to camp for a BBQ ably prepared by Adam and time for bed. Early rise the next day as we were getting up to see the sun rise over Uluru - we thought today was early but 4.40 a.m. is the earliest I've ever got up on holiday! However, the sunrise was worth it so I'm not complaining.

On the left is what Uluru looked like when we first arrived. The sun was just starting to peep over the horizon and, as you will see from the following pictures, the colour changes were very dramatic.

And it just got brighter and brighter until it seemed to glow and light up the ground in front of it!

Having enjoyed the sunrise we then went for a walk around the base (not quite all of it but a good way round). There was loads to see (and photograph) and Carl then took us on the Mala Walk to explain some of the culture/beliefs etc which was really interesting.

Here are just a few of the photos we took whilst walking around.

The geological reason for the red colour of Uluru is that the sandstone has "leaked" iron deposits and these have hardened to form a crust on the sandstone. This means that the sandstone won't erode as quickly as you might expect and the iron oxide provides the colour.

There was some Aboriginal art to admire on the way - very rich red and yellow colours.

One of my favourite places was the waterhole - so much so that I got left behind and wondered where everybody else had disappeared to. The way the water reflected the light from the top of the mountain was lovely.

The photo on the left was taken whilst on the Mala Walk. Carl explained some of the Aboriginal culture during this walk which was really interesting. They have something called Tjukurpa which seems to be their code for living (something like a constitution but deeper as it's also their religious heritage, the basis of their culture etc.) Tjukurpa is not written down - it's passed on through stories, dance, pictures and ceremonies from generation to generation. The general public aren't privy to most of the details - perhaps because the Aboriginal people don't think it would be respected?

There are zebra finches wherever there's water in this area so, if you're thirsty just watch these tiny birds and water won't be far away.

Finally, for Uluru, a comment on the Climb. There are many notices around the base and in the cultural centre asking people not to climb as Uluru is a sacred place. This does not stop people so the Anangu people have made it as safe as possible for those who simply can't respect this request.

It seems very sad that some people visit Uluru just to climb it, hike round the base and take photos rather than soak up the atmosphere of this amazing place and learn about the culture of the people who have looked after this area for thousands and thousands of years. If you sit and gaze at the rock and its surroundings, whilst listening to the sounds all around you, you get a real feeling of peace and, at the same time, of power and protection. It really is an magical place.

From Uluru, we travelled to Kings Canyon which is in Watarrka National Park. Everywhere is so far away in Australia so there's a lot of travelling but it's worth it when you get there. We had an additional bonus when we reached Kings Canyon Resort as there was a welcoming pool for us to splash around in the get rid of some of the dust. Adam was already cooking and the tents were ready and waiting - my kind of camping!

We had a lie in today - 5.30 a.m. I think Jonathon was wondering what he'd let himself in for as he's not a morning person at all!

Carl gave us a choice of walks today. We could either go around the rim of the canyon or along the creek in the base. We chose the latter as it gave us much more time for photos and generally gazing around admiring the scenery.

We took full advantage of the photo shoot - here are a small selection of the pictures we took. The birds were in good song but hiding in the trees most of the time so no bird pictures this time but the wild flowers were lovely so we'll start with those pics and move on to the more general photos after that.

Moving on to more general scenery photos - the rocks were red, the sky blue, the red gum tree bark white and the foliage green - all very vibrant in the sunshine and beautiful to look at.

There was a lookout point at the end of the walk so we could admire the end of the canyon.

This area is looked after by the Luritja people. It is a sacred place and access to the end is not possible but you can admire it from here (or the rim if you chose to do that walk instead).

Dinner at the Novotel Outback (where we stayed both before and after our trip to the arid zone) followed by a long sleep, a lie in, breakfast and a laze by the hotel pool before flying off to Cairns to start the Queensland part of the tour.

Darwin & Kakadu National Park

Red Centre

Port Douglas & Barrier Reef

QLD - North of Port Douglas

QLD - South of Port Douglas

Hong Kong & Australia 2006 (3/6)
2006 found us on a big trip to Hong Kong and Australia. I say "big" because we took 3 weeks instead of our normal 2 and we had a lot of flights getting from A to B to C etc. We had help with the booking this year in the form of Karen and team at Bon Voyage. Our itinerary was:
Hong Kong Darwin & Kakadu National Park	Red Centre Port Douglas & Barrier Reef	QLD - North of Port Douglas QLD - South of Port Douglas
Because there are so many photos, each of the above is on a separate page - please click on the one you'd like to visit. This section is repeated on each page so it's easy to get from one to the other.
The Red Centre
Darwin Day 3/Red Centre Day 1 and we were on the move again. A lazy morning before catching the plan to Alice Springs ready to visit the Red Centre - another new area for both of us. We were booked on a 3 day camping trip (yes ... camping!!) to visit Uluru, Kata Tjuta and Kings Canyon. We didn't see much of Alice on the day we arrived but we did have a lovely meal at Blue Grass restaurant and can definitely recommend a visit. Another early start with Australian Adventure Tours picking us up at 6 a.m. for the long drive to Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, staying at Yulara for our first night.
	First stop a camel farm. Shirley was "braver" than Jonathon and ventured round the paddock on Goldie - what a nice camel!!
From there we drove to our camp to enjoy lunch. Well, when I say camp - it's a permanent camp with real beds, shower blocks, power etc. so it's not like we had to put our own tents up etc. Far more civilised.

While Adam, our hosty for the trip, prepared lunch for us we had a chance to go up to the local lookout and catch our first glimpse of Uluru and Kata Tjuta.
	Plenty of pretty scenery to see from the lookout too - the colours were lovely.

Our exercise for the day was in the form of a 5km+ hike through the Valley of the Winds to the Karingana Lookout at Kata Tjuta. Pretty hard going, more because of the heat than anything else but we both got there and back in one piece and felt quite pleased with ourselves. Kata Tjuta means "Many Heads" reflecting the 36 steep sided domes making up Kata Tjuta. This area is important and sacred under Anangu men's law and whilst visitors are welcome you are asked to keep to the paths etc (as you would expect).

	The scenery along the walk was spectacular and we were even lucky enough to see some wild kangaroo - not a very good picture - sorry!
Throughout the hike Carl, our tour guide for the 3 days, filled us in with information about the rocks, the fact that they're made of basalt, granite, sandstone and mudstone - Jonathon paid rapt attention!


From there it was a quick drive over to Uluru to watch the colours change as the sun set


Back to camp for a BBQ ably prepared by Adam and time for bed. Early rise the next day as we were getting up to see the sun rise over Uluru - we thought today was early but 4.40 a.m. is the earliest I've ever got up on holiday! However, the sunrise was worth it so I'm not complaining.
	On the left is what Uluru looked like when we first arrived. The sun was just starting to peep over the horizon and, as you will see from the following pictures, the colour changes were very dramatic.
		And it just got brighter and brighter until it seemed to glow and light up the ground in front of it!

Having enjoyed the sunrise we then went for a walk around the base (not quite all of it but a good way round). There was loads to see (and photograph) and Carl then took us on the Mala Walk to explain some of the culture/beliefs etc which was really interesting.		Here are just a few of the photos we took whilst walking around.

		The geological reason for the red colour of Uluru is that the sandstone has "leaked" iron deposits and these have hardened to form a crust on the sandstone. This means that the sandstone won't erode as quickly as you might expect and the iron oxide provides the colour.



There was some Aboriginal art to admire on the way - very rich red and yellow colours.
	One of my favourite places was the waterhole - so much so that I got left behind and wondered where everybody else had disappeared to. The way the water reflected the light from the top of the mountain was lovely.

	The photo on the left was taken whilst on the Mala Walk. Carl explained some of the Aboriginal culture during this walk which was really interesting. They have something called Tjukurpa which seems to be their code for living (something like a constitution but deeper as it's also their religious heritage, the basis of their culture etc.) Tjukurpa is not written down - it's passed on through stories, dance, pictures and ceremonies from generation to generation. The general public aren't privy to most of the details - perhaps because the Aboriginal people don't think it would be respected?
There are zebra finches wherever there's water in this area so, if you're thirsty just watch these tiny birds and water won't be far away.		Finally, for Uluru, a comment on the Climb. There are many notices around the base and in the cultural centre asking people not to climb as Uluru is a sacred place. This does not stop people so the Anangu people have made it as safe as possible for those who simply can't respect this request.
It seems very sad that some people visit Uluru just to climb it, hike round the base and take photos rather than soak up the atmosphere of this amazing place and learn about the culture of the people who have looked after this area for thousands and thousands of years. If you sit and gaze at the rock and its surroundings, whilst listening to the sounds all around you, you get a real feeling of peace and, at the same time, of power and protection. It really is an magical place.
From Uluru, we travelled to Kings Canyon which is in Watarrka National Park. Everywhere is so far away in Australia so there's a lot of travelling but it's worth it when you get there. We had an additional bonus when we reached Kings Canyon Resort as there was a welcoming pool for us to splash around in the get rid of some of the dust. Adam was already cooking and the tents were ready and waiting - my kind of camping!
We had a lie in today - 5.30 a.m. I think Jonathon was wondering what he'd let himself in for as he's not a morning person at all!		Carl gave us a choice of walks today. We could either go around the rim of the canyon or along the creek in the base. We chose the latter as it gave us much more time for photos and generally gazing around admiring the scenery.
We took full advantage of the photo shoot - here are a small selection of the pictures we took. The birds were in good song but hiding in the trees most of the time so no bird pictures this time but the wild flowers were lovely so we'll start with those pics and move on to the more general photos after that.




	Moving on to more general scenery photos - the rocks were red, the sky blue, the red gum tree bark white and the foliage green - all very vibrant in the sunshine and beautiful to look at.






There was a lookout point at the end of the walk so we could admire the end of the canyon.

This area is looked after by the Luritja people. It is a sacred place and access to the end is not possible but you can admire it from here (or the rim if you chose to do that walk instead).
All too soon it was time to return to Alice Springs and say goodbye to Carl, Adam and our fellow travellers. This trip is a really good way to see the Red Centre but you need plenty of energy (and water, sunscreen and insect repellent!). You also need an open mind to appreciate the Aboriginal culture/heritage and understand the different way they look at things. A fascinating few days - we would highly recommend it.
	Dinner at the Novotel Outback (where we stayed both before and after our trip to the arid zone) followed by a long sleep, a lie in, breakfast and a laze by the hotel pool before flying off to Cairns to start the Queensland part of the tour.
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