Since we last blogged

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Since we last made contact we have visited the Tablelands Rainforest in Kuranda, flown from Carirns to the Aussie Red Centre, had sunrise and sunset at Uluru (Ayes Rock), walked on Kata Tjuta and walked around the rim of Kings Canyon in the George Gill Range of mountains. By the time we get back to Alice Springs we'll have covered about 1500+ km in 3 days. No driving in the dark (sunset viewing excluded). We didn't see any wild camels but I have a picture on an emu that allowed me to get close before chasing me off, I outsmarted him by running round a tree! 

Emu before he chased me!

Tablelands Rainforest

The Kurunda Scenic Rrailway from Carirns takes 2 hours to arrive high in the mountains at Kurunda. On the way we took a look at the Barron Falls, nearly dry at the moment even though Easten Australia has had a good share of rain recently. We walked through the hot humid rainforest with incredibly loud insects to keep your ears ringing with their noise and pythons sleeping in the tree ferns. I forgot to mention I'm on my own now, Sarah was eaten whole by one! Queensland also has a large flightless bird which roams the forest and is as tall as Dave called a Cassaway. We didn't see one thankfully as its middle toe has an elongated sharp nail that can rip through flesh with ease. 

Before journeying back down I had ice cream and a walk around the local market. The 20km Skyrail cable car journey over and through the rainforest roof back down was refreshing and beautiful. Part way down we disembarked from the Skyrail and had a guided walk with a forest ranger who explained the history of the rainforest and why it's so important to Australia. 

Kurunda Scenic Rrailway

The Barron Falls

Uluru

After arriving in Alice Springs it's a good 450km drive to Uluru. We expected desert sand and not much else but surprisingly there is lots of green along with the deep red coloured sand. Our plan was to stop about 120km outside of Uluru at Curtin Springs but we were told by the car hire company that their was to be no night time driving due to the likely hood of hitting wildlife (camels, kangaroos, emus and cattle) I kid you not. 

Mt. Connor (thought we had reach Uluru)

So camped at the Ayers Rock Resort, campground. This was lucky as it only meant a 5am start in the morning to see sunrise over Uluru. After arriving at 3pm following our long drive from Alice Springs we made camp then drove another 50km to Kata Tjuta to view the magnificent rock formation and walk through the gorge. Only small flies this time, not the big March flies but about 200 times more. A little annoying! 

Kata Tjuta another sacred Aborigional site

Sunset over Uluru was approximately 7:47pm. During the day driving towards it we had seen it change colour from red to lilac and at sunset it again transformed itself from red to pink then purple and finaly following sunset to dusky brown. It was then time for tea and sleep. We carefully negotiated our way back to the camp site avoiding any live animals, in fact anything in the dusky light that looked like it could be alive, dead trees, bushes and rocks included. Our insurance would be null and void if we had hit anything at night!

Uluru at sunset

5am start, pack our home up in the dark and belvita for breakfast, Dave is getting withdrawal symptoms as he isn't having his recommended portion of porridge each day. We had to be at the sunrise site before 6.08 am to see the sun rising on Uluru. Wearing a lovely fashion accessory of headset as the flies although small and don't bite are extremely annoying landing all over your face, yuk! Again a stunning sight and well worth the early get up, remember this is an adventure not a holiday. After photographing and watching the sunrise we set off to the car park so we could walk around the base of Uluru, 10.6 km. you need to start early so you have finished the walk before 11am when the temperature is scorching. Plenty of water, sun cream, hat and headnet. It is a fascinating place.  After the walk and a snack went to the cultural centre where they have loads of history about the aborigines and the sacred area. 

Uluru at sunrise

You can just see Kata Tjuta 50km in the distance (left of Uluru)

I had to get up so early at 5am there was no time for breakfast so I had to make do!

After stocking up our stomachs Dave decided he would like to do ANOTHER walk at a place called Kings Canyon. The distances are vast so we set off in the car to travel a further 304 km to a camp site near to the walk. "Warning dingoes roam in this area" greeted us, not going out of the tent on my own! As it was there were no dingoes while we were there, but someone claimed his boot was taken by a dingo, they mustn't have a very good sense of smell as in the heat shoes start to stink ALOT. AGAIN another early start, well a lie in until 6 am this time, you have to start the walk before 9 am because they close the path to the walk if the temperature is going to be over 36c and today it was over 38 c. We set off at 7.15 and walked around the rim of the sandstone canyon.( see pics) we then headed back to Alice Springs. Dave tried to compose blog while I drove but it got so hot the iPad shut itself off for safety. All cooled down now. All the gadgets are temperamental to the temperature, the iPhone has been ill a number of times, first from the cold and now from the heat.

Kings Canyon from the rim

Tomorrow we're off to Melbourne for a few days. Let's see what other types of wild animals we can see!! 

Love and hugs from

Sarah & Dave( outback explorers)

P.S.

Just like the Victorian explorers in Africa, here is an exert from our journal.

Running low on supplies only £120 left for three weeks, living on wiggitey grubs and cactus juice. Had to eat the horned lizard I ran over (accidentally), took three attempts! In Uluru we were so hungry I tried to eat a piece of the rock (see photo above) but the aborigines chased me off. Left leg giving a bit of jip but other than that all is well. SEND FUNDS! 

Anyone who has watched Top Gear will know the reference. 

(Parental guidance - the above is a joke! Or speak to Ben)

P.P.S for Ben

Picture of a memorial to Cannonball Run drivers and stewards who had a crash here in the middle of nowhere back in 1994. Fast'n'Loud man, Richard  Rawlings did this race in the US.