Rock (Uluru) 'n' Roll!!

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Or really - more a case of roll, then rock! Some 48kms after leaving King's Canyon, we had the dubious pleasure of being passengers in a total roll over in our 4WD. Amazingly, after a 100m skid on our side, a roll onto the roof then onto the other side coming to a halt, all 4 of us got out with only a few scratches and only the ribena was lost! (oh, and the written-off hilux!) (Some might say we were touched by the hand of Trodd!) We were rescued by a family, helicopter and passing lifeguard and taken to the King's Creek station, 2kms away. We were all shown such kindness and care by everyone who helped us that day - and the station owners (Ian, Lynne & Meagan Conway) were glad we had broken their record, where people haven't survived accidents close by. It was an excellent example of the resourcefulness that people in the outback have to face and deal with so effectively. Amazingly, we took delivery of another camper van at 9.30pm that night and continued on our way.

Anyone visiting the area, we would heartily recommend staying at King's Creek station (as opposed to the resort) and if you have the chance - to take in the Stock Camp Show and learn how the whole area has come into being. Our thanks to everyone that helped us.

Take a look at: www.kingscreekstation.com.au

So, onward for 300kms to see that all Australian icon - Uluru - Ayre's Rock. It is every bit as amazing as you've all seen on your TV screens - rising up out of the ground. Uluru is actually a gigantic rock formation, the biggest monolith in the world, rising 348m from the desert with a girth of 9.4kms with an estimated two thirds of the rock lying beneath the surface.

Uluru is also the centrepiece for the local Anangu Aborigines and is a sacred site of the dreaming and revered as a sacred site for 22000 years. The rock has moods which changes its colour depending on the time of day, cloud etc. and at sunrise and sunset (preferably with a glass of bubbly in hand) gives a wonderful light show with a transition from red to orange to hues of lilac in a matter of minutes. The only thing missing was didgeridoo music to serenade this wonderful spectacle.

We were also privileged to be able to climb Uluru. For the previous few days, it had been too windy to climb, likewise, if temperatures were forecast to go above 36 degrees, the rock would be closed. After we had enjoyed sunrise with hundreds of other bleary-eyed tourists we found the rock closed. So, we did the base walk and viewed the monolith from the ever changing ground perspective. On our return, we were welcomed with the climb being open! So, after re-fueling we spent an hour and three quarters completing the return climb - quite a steep one, but worth it for the wonderful view.

The Gallery

Think we'll get away with a stone chip?!	There were 2 tents on top!	Mmmmm!	The tents that probably saved us, as the roof didn't collapse	The driver side
The passenger side (that's Ribena - not blood)	The offending dint!	New van behind the dint!	Slid from the sign on the distant right	Whoops!
Back at base - as you can see, not the 1st	THE icon	Uluru	Charles & Diana	The Fab Four
Cool eh?	Sunset at Ayre's Rock #1	#2	#3	#4
#6	#7	#8	#9	No walking today - too windy!
Uluru base walk - Big Wave	Base Walk	Our start to climbing THE rock	Chicken Point - where people decide whether to turn back or not	Up we go!
Great view	A quick calf rest	Look, no chains!	View at the top of the world	We made it!
Cairn at the top!	Yeah!	Nee & Gee	Back down!	Sunrise behind Uluru #1
#2	#3	#4	#5	#6
#7	#8

 

Rock (Uluru) 'n' Roll!!