After spending a very quiet New Years, ( everyone had gone to the Rock to see in the new millennium) we headed for Ayres Rock and did the climb to the top which gives you great views of the surrounding area. A very early start was necessary as they close the climb on hot days to limit the number of heart attacks and heat strokes that happen here regularly. It is also good to do the 10 kms walk around the base to see the many interesting caves and such. From there it was on to the Olgas which in many ways is more interesting with its many different shapes and valleys.
Uluru ( Ayres Rock ) and the steep climb using a chain
The ups and downs along the top and Kata Tjuta ( the Olgas )
Having obtained the permits needed to travel through the Aboriginal lands we headed directly west to Docker River which was carpeted in wild flowers and visited Lasseter's cave where the legend of the lost gold reef was born. Having got permission to top up on fuel there we went on to Surveyor Generals Corner where the three states meet. These permits are near impossible to get so it was quite a thrill to finally see every corner of South Australia. We followed the Gunbarrel Hwy to Warburton where we met the most amazing number of vehicles full of Aboriginals heading for a huge tribal meeting. Having seen no one up until now in this remote area it looked even more strange with cars and 4wd's of all description like something out of a Mad Max movie.
Wild flowers in the Gibson Desert and along the Gunbarrel Hwy
Near Surveyor Generals Corner we met another herd of wild camels left to go wild after tracks for cars and the train line was put in. They are even being caught and exported back to the Far East as they are a very strong race with only the fittest surviving. Also picked up a Thorny Devil that has a huge appetite for ants.
One of the 35 wild camels we met and a Thorny Devil