Uluru - Kata Tjuta National Park

 After the big walk around Kings Canyon we both had a very good sleep to try and let the bodies regain some of their energy and vitality.  The next day, we were back on the road but stopped at another little section of Watarrka National Park called Kathleen Springs.  Just a nice little walk (it was built to mainly cater for people with limited mobility) to a waterhole that was used for ages by the local aborigines and then later by the cattle station owners as a place to water their cattle.

The Boardwalk and Waterfall at Kathleen Springs

Kathleen Springs Waterhole

After morning tea, we headed back towards the Lassetter Highway and a free camp spot about 100 klms east of Uluru - Kata Tjuta National Park.  Another early start the next day (Tuesday) and we were in the Park and contemplating our climb up the Rock by morning tea time.

Yep, the decision was made and The Captain and The Deckie took their lives into their own hands and started the climb - jelly legs and all!!

All Ready For The Climb

Hmm, well those jelly legs took over very quickly (and that rock face was very steep) but we made it!!!  All the way.........................

To half way up the first little slope and we weren't going any further.  That climb is definitely for the younger ones!

Taking It Easy On The Rock

Okay, so we didn't get to the top, but we can still say that we climbed Uluru!!  We then decided that we should go and do Kata Tjuta (or The Olgas) fifty klms further west.  This landform is just so different to Uluru.  Whereas Uluru is just sandstone, The Olgas are made of conglomerate (lots of pebbles and boulders cemented together with mud) and shaped by the wind and rain over the millions of years.

Kata Tjuta - looking west

After perusing the walking track information over lunch, we felt that The Valley Of The Winds Walk would be the most exciting and then we could stay to watch the sunset on The Olgas.  Packed the backpack with water, biscuits and mandarins and off we went for a 7.4 klm journey which cold take about four hours.

The walk to the first lookout was fairly easy and the view was fairly spectacular.

Looking East Over The Inner Valley

We then scrambled over loose rocks and pebbles, trudged down steep rock walls, crossed dry creek beds, made our through boulder strewn valleys to get to the second lookout.  At times we thought that it may have been easier to finish the Uluru climb but, once more, the view from there was worth it!!

Boulder Strewn Valley

Rocks, Pebbles and Steep Rock Walls

Dry Creek Bed

Some of the 36 Domes of Kata Tjuta

Part of the Inner Valley and Some Domes

The View From The Second Lookout

Looking Towards The Second Lookout

The climb down into the valley was another steep one, but then the path became lot gentler.  The domes further out in the valley were becoming brighter as the afternoon wore on, but where the domes were in shadows, they took on a purplish hue.

Late Afternoon Colour Change

Looking Towards The North East

And by the time we got back to The Turtle we were absolutely exhausted but it was getting late and there was the sunset to watch.  Well, the colour changes on the rocks as the sun set.

From Red......

....... to Mauve!!

And so another day drew to its close.

This morning (Wednesday) and we had a bit of a sleep in and therefore a late start - no watching the sun rising over any rocks of any kind!!  Uluru did look very nice late in the morning with a nice mauve hue to it!

Late Morning At The Rock

We did - eventually - get ourselves moving and did a couple of short walks around the base of Uluru.  We had the option of walking the entire base (10.4 klms) but thought better of this and drove between the short walks - much more civilised!!

There were lots of caves, rock art and nice trees along these walks which we thoroughly enjoyed and once again it depended on where you were and the time of day as to what colour the rock was. 

Time once more to take a rest, so we settled ourselves in to a Sunset Viewing Area and await the sunset once more but this time at Uluru.

Sunset Viewing Crowd

Late in the Day

Running Out Of Light!!

We made our way out of the seething mass of humanity to the comfort of our caravan park to try and have an early night as tomorrow (Thursday) is another big day.  Up bright and early to do the 'Sunrise On The Rock' and then we will be heading back towards Erldunda to collect Tuf Cat from dry dock.  If we are late leaving the area, we will probably do another free camp along the way and then get into civilisation on Friday.