In the Outback...

We boarded the Ghan for Alice Springs around noon (midday as the Aussies would say) on Sunday and arrived around two o’clock Monday afternoon. The ride was long and we slept terribly (it’s kind of like sleeping on a plane, except they at least give you a crappy little pillow and blanket on a plane), but the experience was great! We watched the scenery change from green and lush to red and dry and red and dry and red and dry (you get the idea). Although I must say, we were both surprised with how much vegetation there is in the outback. At one point, we also saw a kangaroo hopping along in the background (can you get any more Australian than a kangaroo in the outback?!).

In Alice Springs, we picked up a campervan and drove 5 hours to Ayer’s Rock. We saw more kangaroos along the way, but since we had opted out of the rental insurance, we really weren’t interested in seeing anymore. Let’s just say the last hour of the trip was pretty nerve wrecking and we were relieved to pull into the Ayer’s Rock Campground. We set up the bed in our little campervan, which felt like a piece of heaven compared to the Ghan seats, and hit the sack. The next morning we put away the bed, drank coffee, ate breakfast, and then headed to Uluru (Ayer’s Rock). Not knowing much about it before this trip, I didn’t really have any expectations, but let me say that I never thought a rock could be so breathtaking! There really isn’t a way to describe it, and I’m sure the pictures won’t come close to doing it justice. We walked around and listened to some of the Aboriginal stories, then drove to Kata Tjuta (the Olgas), which are also absolutely beautiful! In fact, I prefer Uluru from a distance, but Kata Tjuta up close. After spending the entire day walking around and taking pictures of rocks, we decided to call it a night and headed back to the campgrounds.

On Wednesday, we went back to Kata Tjuta for the Walk of the Winds that we passed up the day before. I’m so glad we went back because it was awesome! Then we drove back to Alice Springs and continued along to the West MacDonnell Ranges. We camped at the Glen Helen Resort, which is set right in front of the Glen Helen Gorge (again, absolutely beautiful). Thursday morning we drove back to Alice Springs, stopping at different gorges and watering holes along the way. Unfortunately the gas light came on at the second to last stop, so we decided to pass up the last stop. Although breaking down in the outback would make a great story, and it sounds like something that would happen to Mark and I, we were fortunate enough to coast into Alice Springs on fumes.

(Pictures: Uluru in the distance, Walk of the Winds at Kata Tjuta, and driving off into the sunset towards the West MacDonnell Ranges)