Week Commencing 18.04.10
Sunday 18th – We left camp around 10.30am (as usual late) The weather balloon we saw on Thursday was to come down near Winton today (you may have heard about this on the news). We pulled in at the Mango Winery to taste the wine and buy some ice-cream. Here we met John and Judy from Carindale (dark side). We enjoyed a lovely chat with them. They were heading to Wycliffe to see the UFO’s. We arrived at Devil’s Marbles and who should drive in behind us John & Judy. We went for a long walk and then shared drinks with our new friends. We also met another couple Bing (Bing Crosby) and his wife Pat. The storm clouds rolled in and brought an abrupt end to our happy hour. Nothing came of the storm but we have learnt to prepare just in case.

Monday 19th – Left camp at 8am (yes that is right – early) fuel at Tennant Creek and then a big drive to Daly Waters. We had a nice lunch at Newcastle Waters. Booked into Daly Waters Camp along with John and Judy. Nice swim in the afternoon and the four of us booked in for dinner – Barra & Beef – delicious. We had a very interesting evening and it turns out that Judy knew lots of our friends, what a small world. Late night got to bed around midnight – first late night since we left home.

Tuesday 20th – Back to our old routine 10.30 departure. Highlight of the trip to Katherine we had to stop to let a 70mtr truck go past, we had heard about this 2 days previously. Powerwater were moving a generator from Darwin to Alice Springs. We took some great pictures as it went past, nearly blew us over. It was great. Did some housework when we arrived, when we cooled off in the pool we met a lady (Jane) she worked for the Government - Abuse of Aboriginal children. She invited us to go fishing for Barra with her. Off we went down to Knots Crossing, there were a couple of aboriginal women there and they told us about the crocs. No luck at catching this barra. Later that evening Jane joined us for a beer and gave us lots of information about Darwin and the Kimberley’s.
Wednesday 21st – Left camp 10.30 – first port of call was Pine Creek enjoyed a nice lunch in the beautiful green park. Called into the Information Centre at Batchelor, the lady was lovely gave us heaps of information. We drove to the furthest point within Litchfield National Park. Stopped at the Magnetic Termite Mounds, huge! We booked into the Litchfield Safari Camp, well not sure if this was the right choice. We were here and so we decided it would be an adventure. We were the only campers here, there were alot of other accommodation but no-one anywhere. We settled in and went to Wangi Falls to have a look. What a pretty place, two waterfalls into a beautiful plunge pool. (no swimming – closed). Some people must not be able to read, yes there were a group swimming. We did the Tree Top walk and decided to do the escarpment walk early Thursday morning. We then drove up to the Bamboo Creek Tin Mine. This place was eerie no-one around, pretty creeks running with nice cool water, no swimming. Back at camp we prepared to have our shower and then lock ourselves in the van until morning. This place was teaming with wildlife, which was the best part of the park.
Thursday 22nd – Up early as we wanted to do a couple of walks before we leave camp. Wangi Falls Walk - this walk takes you to a viewing platform at the base of the falls, through a monsoon forest, then via stairs up to the escarpment. Tolmer Falls Walk – This walk takes you high over typical Top End sandstone country and along Tolmer Creek ending at the viewing platform. This was a very pretty walk which we both loved. We went back to camp to shower and hitch up the van. We are now camping at the Litchfield Tourist and Van Park. Fantastic!! This place is very shady, has a great pool and we are on two sights, so plenty of room to spread out.

Friday 23rd – Up early and headed off to Greenant Creek Walk, this is a shady walk following the creek upstream, climbs steeply to Tjaetaba Falls Lookout, then up to a small pool above the falls. The plunge pool and the stream below is a sacred site so therefore no swimming allowed. We met a couple of other walkers and they were going for a swim. We turned and headed back down the way we had come, lots of rocks and lots of stairs. Our next stop was very eerie Tabletop Swamp, looked like croc country. The Lost City was closed which is sad as we have been told it is fantastic (not to be this trip). We drove onto to Buley Rockhole for a swim (finally somewhere where we can have a dip). Buley is a series of rockholes and the water cascades from one to the other. We decided we would do the walk from Buley to Florence Falls, got half way and turned around, it was extremely hot and we were looking at a 5km return walk. Back to the rockholes for that long awaited swim. It was great, the current was very strong, people were swimming against it. We could have stayed there forever. Our last stop for the day was Florence Falls and plunge pool. You wander down the path to the lookout the view is fantastic. Down some 135 steps to the plunge pool for a swim. There were lots of people, swimming , sunbathing, reading books – it was amazing. You could see fish in the pool as you swim, you could swim over to the waterfall. A magical place. One problem to get back to your car, yes 135 steps awaits you. We decided to have lunch at home followed by a relaxing swim. In the afternoon we drove into Batchelor to check our emails and enjoy an ice-cream in the lovely green park. A great day!!


Saturday 24th – Left camp around 10.30am and headed for Darwin. The trip to Darwin was uneventful, booked into Free Spirit Van Park, very nice. Foxtel works which is very important. We are here until early May and then decide where to next. John took himself off to the pub for a bet and I went to the movies. Great afternoon.
Sunday 25th – This morning we did a bit of checking other caravan parks and agreed we are happy here. Come 1st May all the fees go up – the season has started (whatever that means). We had a drive around the city and shared a nice lunch. Spent the afternoon by the pool relaxing.

Week Commencing 12.04.10

Not much to report this week, after settling in Sunday we had a bit of a rest day Monday. We ended up having dinner with our new NZ friends. Everything went well until the van battery shit itself, no lights we found out that the lights need to have battery power. (Another learning curve). Tuesday morning John spent on the phone sourcing the problem with the battery. All fixed by lunchtime. We then went off to play golf in the afternoon.
Wednesday we decided to walk around town as we had not done this. We then went to the Telegraph Station and to the actual Alice Springs, this is not an actual spring it is a catchment mistaken by Stuart as a Spring. We did a walk here up to Triggy Hill yes more rocks to climb up and down, it was well worth it. We saw lots of kangaroos in the field.
Thursday we decided to visit the Araluen Culture Precinct, this is a wonderful place. It consists of an Arts Centre, Museum of Central Australia ,Aviation Museum and Central Craft. Lots to see and read, very interesting. The staff were so lovely and willing to share their knowledge. We completed this on Friday morning.
Friday evening we went to a concert in the Olive Pink Botanical Gardens, an outside event. Katie Noonan and The Captains. We both enjoyed but it really wasn’t what we were expecting. Another experience we encounted here in the Outback.
Saturday, time to prepare to hit the road again, we have had a great time in Alice, Trice asked if we had put our names on the electoral role. If you get the opportunity to come here I am sure you will have a great time. John played golf this morning , not a happy chappie.
I am posting this tonight as we will be out of service for the next few days as we travel north to Darwin.

Week Commencing 05.04.10
We arrived at Uluru today, crowds the campground is packed people, vans, campers, buses etc. Pool full of children I am talking seriously full. Have set up camp and as it gets closer to sunset we head off to the campsite lookout. A bit of a fizzer lots of folks there but no sun as such. Have to wait until tomorrow and try again. We spoke to the people next door and the whole family had climbed the rock that morning. This gives us hope for Wednesday.
Wednesday, up at 5.30am get ready and off we go f or the sunrise pics and hopefully to climb the rock. We stop at the gate purchase our 3 day passes get out maps and both are very excited. As we get closer to it we begin to realise how big it is. Hugh really hugh. Finally get to where the climb happens and disappointment hits. CLOSED DUE TO WIND. When we get out of the car the winds is so strong. I looked up and decided there and then this climb is not for me. So we will go back tomorrow morning same time and hope that the weather is fine for climbing. John really wants to do this. We decided to go on Lungkata Walk which was 4kms return, sounds good says me. Off we went backpack and camera in hand. You are walking around the base of the rock. All going fine when out of nowhere rain, I mean pouring rain. Wind , rain the whole bit. I am clutching my camera tightly, so John decides to run back and get the car and I am to run through the scrub and meet him at the road. Anyway it is only minutes and he returns, look up he says look at what we are missing out on. The rock was completely different, waterfalls everywhere and mist flying off her. So out comes the camera and pics are taken of this wonderful site. The rain finally passed and we continue on our way. As we arrive at the point to turn around, John asks how I am feeling , I said great so we decide to continue on and go all the way around the rock. It was fantastic we took lots of photos and had a few stops along the way. There are lots of caves, waterholes etc. By the time we were back at the car we had actually walked some 14.5kms. Yes my legs are killing me and we are both a little tired this afternoon. We will go back this afternoon to do another little walk and watch the sun set. What a place.
Uluru Base Walk 10.4 km loop Liru Walk 4km return
Mala Walk 2km return Lungkata Walk 4km return
Lungkata Walk 4km return Kuniya Walk 1km return
Thursday 8 April – Up 5.30am and off to see if John can climb, unfortunately closed due to rain. So my turn to drive and off we went to Kata Tjuta (Olgas) to walk The Valley of the Winds. A 6.4km loop walk. It was very challenging for me. I did not see alot of the scenery as I was too busy watching every step. We had to walk over rocks and lots of them, up steep climbs, over boulders and sides of cliffs. I did it and was very proud of myself. About 3 and a bit hours in all. We started off at 8.15 and returned back to the carpark around lunchtime, dragging my feet by this stage. Poor John I feel sorry for him but he has been fantastic about taking it slowly. I enjoyed seeing all the pictures he took along the way. At the main lookout we stopped for awhile and talked with a german lady who runs tours for international students. She does an outback trip twice a year. She comes from Adelaide and told us she had a little block of paradise on Kangaroo Island. After the walk we found a rest area to have lunch, until the flys made us abandon this idea and we finished our lunch in the comfort of the air-conditioned car. We headed back to the Rock to see if anyone was climbing but no still no climb. We decided to do the Marla walk to the gorge which was great. We then drove around to the Waterhole and Waterfall for one last look. We had a relaxing afternoon until the storm clouds came in again, this time we were prepared and put the chairs away and the awning down. It turned out to be a fizzer.
Friday 9 April. Up and off to Kings Canyon, which is some 300kms from Yulara. Stopped for morning tea a pretty little rest area. On the highway we were passed by a convoy of 10 cars , they were passing us over double lines. Bloody idiots, we have seen this alot in NT. Have set up camp now and plan headed off for a 2.5km walk this afternoon. Tomorrow we attempt the Canyon Rim Walk which is 6km loop – starts off with 600 steps up. Well let’s see how I pull up after that.

Saturday 10 April – Up early and off we head to tackle the Kings Canyon Rim Walk, some 6.5kms – 600 odd steps. It was fantastic, best thing I have ever done. John and I enjoyed it so much. Highlight of our trip so far. Lots of steps to start and then you look back at the view. We climbed over rocks across bridges high over the canyon and then more steps down and then up again. To look down the canyon into the Garden of Eden, waterholes and watching young people jumping from one waterhole into another. There were at least 200 people scattered all over the rim at one time. We had met up with some New Zealand people at the rock and they travelled to Kings Canyon the same day. They caught up to us on the walk, so we completed the walk with them. When we completed the walk we decided to go to Kathleen Springs a 2.5km walk. This was very different to what we had just finished. The track let us through some old cattle yards and ended at a waterhole. We were very surprised when along came a young couple and their dog. The dog jumped into the waterhole to cool off. By the time we got back to the car we were both ready for a well deserved rest. The dingoes were around again in the evening, we saw a few of them. They howl during the night.
Sunday 11 April – Both John and I surprised ourselves this morning we were in the car and driving out of the park at 8am. Twenty minutes down the road and we come to a full stop. Not only water but mud – red mud across the road. Some French tourists had driven straight into the water and found themselves stuck in the mud. The owner of the Kings Creek Station had come to their rescue with a big bulldozer. He towed them out and then continued to clear the road for us along with the other 10 cars that we behind us. This took about an hour or so during this time we took some pics and chattered to the other drivers. The fun of the Outback. We encountered water about five times between there and Alice. So we are back in Alice until Thursday. Tomorrow planning a rest day and some chores. Nice to back in service and able to talk to the family.

Notice

Hi Everyone

I have decided to update blog once a week on a Sunday night if possible. I am finding too hard to do each night. I am sure this will be better for all of us.

We are at Uluru this week.

See you all next Sunday

Mel & Mikayla

Standley Chasm 4WD track into John Hayes WaterHole

Simpson's Gap

Day 26 – Alice Springs – Simpson’s Gap & Standley Chasm
Lazy morning and then we decided to visit Simpson’s Gap and Standley Chasm.
Standley Chasm - I was really looking forward to visiting Standley Chasm, had heard lots of great things. Yes it was beautiful, the rock walls towering and they were so smooth. It was a rocky path in, loose rocks from the recent rains.

Simpson’s Gap - What a beautiful place we had lots of fun there taking pictures and using our tripod. John setting it up and running like mad to get himself into the pic. It was very peaceful and just fantastic. We stayed here for sometime. No swimming allowed at either of these attractions. Today has been very cool and quite windy, so a great day for doing a couple of walks.


We are heading out to dinner tonight at the Memo Club a sports club in town. Spoke to Trice and Mike this afternoon, they are having a great time, been out of service for three days . They are taking a flight over Kakadu tomorrow as it is Mike’s birthday. If you are reading this happy birthday Mike 55 wow.
A big hello, kiss and cuddle for all my girls back in Brisbane. Have a happy Easter to all.

Day 27 – Alice Springs – Desert Park
Today is Mike’s birthday. We are off to the Desert Park. Arrived just in time for the Bird of Prey display. It was fantastic very informative. We spent the next five hours walking from exhibit to exhibit. We went to most of the Ranger talks all very interesting. They explained the ways of the indigenous people. We saw lots of birds, kangaroos, emus lizards, bilby, snakes etc. We left there with lots of knowledge but tired and sore feet. Recommend this to anyone who visits Alice.

Day 27 – Alice Springs – Rest Day
Today was put aside for a rest day. I had a relaxing day by the pool. John went off to the TAB and had a few bets. Very boring day.
Day 27 – Alice Springs – Trephina Gorge & 4WD driving
The road finally opened off we went to see Trephina Gorge, once again not disappointed. The R oss Highway turns into a one lane highway as you travel further along it. Something different to what we have been used to in NT. The road into Trephina is a dirt track, you could see where the water was over the track. We decided to take the one hour walk, off we set across the river and then the climb started. It was a cool day and lucky as the track up the mountain was quite steep in parts. We made it to the top and it was well worth it, the view was fantastic you could see for miles. Down the winding river and along the red gorge. I am so glad I attempted this walk. Going down was a different story, in parts I was on my bottom – John was very patient and we finally reached the bottom, looking back up the mountain I was very proud of myself. We then meandered along the river bed. Took our boots off and wading through the shallow waters. It was so beautiful and very cooling. We took lots of pictures of the towering red walls and the sandy beaches on the side of the river. When we headed back to the car we realised the sand was very hot, so my prince ran across the desert to fetch my thongs. He is a wonderful boy and I am very spoilt. Our next stop was John Hayes Waterhole. Car in 4WD and off we went, well this is very different than driving at Moreton Island. Rocks everywhere and we were driving over them, we reckon we crossed the river at least 10 times with each turn of the track. We even think we drove down the river bed at times. It was fun as I tried to take video as we bounced up and down. I offered to drive but John was having too much fun to hand over the wheel (only joking I was happy to be passenger). When we arrived we had a 200mtr walk to the waterhole. So lunch in had off we went. This was not the most beautiful of waterholes, we enjoyed our lunch had a little paddle and then decided to head back. Once again the 4km track was fun, we both said the Prado was probably wondering what was happening, she performed well for us.
On the highway again and driving along happily when I said to John there should be cattle or sheep grazing on these plains they are so lush. Then in the distance we see cattle, but one cow was in the middle of the highway we slowed but it just looked at us, honestly we were just inches from him and he starts to back up, it was amazing, finally he decided he could not match the Prado and off he trotted on the plains. We had a great day lots of fun and the cow just finished the day on a good note. Back to the van a nice swim and settle in to watch the last of the footy. A very nice Easter Sunday was had.