The Red Centre

Not many people travel the “Red Centre” in Summer. It’s dry, it’s hot and everything is dead and dusty. We loved it. Hardly anyone around except backpackers, caravan parks had deals on so it was perfect for us to find our feet again freecamping and caravan parking til we got our groove again. It was perfect.This part of the country was amazing and boring. Miles between spectacular place. And a town called Alice Springs with a river named Todd that runs through it. The perfect combination just like our friends Todd and Alice that we had many great times with in Darwin. We choose to stay at Macdonnell Ranges Big 4 they had pay 3 stay 4 which was perfect for us a bit of power to run the air conditioner of a night to get good sleep while exploring through the day. But of course our air conditioner once again decided not to work. We contemplated getting it fix in Alice but decided because we were heading out freecamping and hopefully going to be getting cooler weather we’d wait til we get to Victoria where we can freeload while it gets repaired. So we thoroughly enjoyed their pools and not to forget to mention free pancakes on Sunday morning. Winning.

  
We drove up and looked out over Alice from Anzac Hill. Was a great view with a great memorial. We also did truckies hall of fame where we learned so much about Shepparton and some of the great truck drivers that came from there. It was fantastic. We also took a look in the mall and some of the aboriginal art it was great to see. We stocked up on supplies and struggled with the limited alcohol buying time. All just a learning curve.  

 

 
  
The MacDonnell Ranges both east and west were truly amazing. I’m no geologist but the rock formations were worth the hot, tiring walks. There was some water in the waterholes that made the walks a bit more enjoying knowing that you got to cool off in them. 

 

 
Where we camped at Elery’s Creek big hole which had some warm spot and cold spots in the water. We found out that it was 9 metres deep and you could soon feel the water spring releasing water from below. The rocks here have a curve in their formation absolutely spectacular.

   

 
  
We moved on to Uluru staying at Yulara which had a good deal pay 2 stay 3. Yes thanks and with a pool. Perfect. 

The dirt/sand here was no word of a lie rusty red colour. I loved it. According to my non geologist national park rangers the red here and in Katherine is actually from the rocks rusting. Due to the oxidisation of the iron particles in the rocks. 

 The Rock was breathtaking, every single time we drove to it and from every angle … breathtaking. Even the boys were gobsmacked by it. We didn’t climb it due to extreme heat it was closed and the chance of rain. We did the Mala guided walk with ranger and it was full of great information and aboriginal stories and culture.

  
We also checked out Kata Tjuta/The Olga’s. We walked to the first lookout and down to the creek in the valley of the winds they two were just as amazing. But we really enjoyed the Walpa Gorge. There was water in it, lizards, rare wattle species and a cliff face apparently higher than the Rock and it’s completely vertical. I got dizzy looking up it.  

   
We even got to experience rain in the red centre it was lots but we can say we saw it rain in the red centre. 

 

 
So much to see and do. We rush through it but I could go back and spend more time there exploring it more. Maybe in winter though. 

xo