Wayoutback

Just back from 5 days 4WD safari in the outback of Central Australia. I’ve been sleeping under millions of stars, cooked over open camp fire, seen unbelievable beautiful sunrises and sunsets, been hiking in landscapes, rock formations and gorges, swimming in water holes, seen animals and plants you’d only find in the Australian desert.  The colors are bright red, blue and green – green because it has been raining heavily after  13 years of draught.  I believe seeing Central Australia this green is exceptional.  

 I love clouds! They are the essence of a sunset and they are never boring when there is blue in between. Above is the shower at Oak Valley camp ground. There is no door. Your view is the bush.

Our first stop was Uluru (Ayers Rock) 441 km south west of Alice Springs. We arrived in the afternoon for a hike before the famous sunset. I had been longing for higher temperatures than in Melbourne and Sydney and I got more than I asked for. It topped one day with 44⁰C (111⁰F). You won't hear me complain, though!

Uluru (Ayers Rock)

That night we slept under the stars for the first time. I saw 3 shooting stars before I fell asleep to the sound of crickets and something I have no idea what was. We slept in so called swags (roll out beds, no tents) i.e. right there on the ground and the major question every single of us 14 city slickers had was if snakes, spiders and other potential dangerous creatures would sneak up on us while sleeping. The answer is that they normally won't. They don't like humans and only attack if cornered or accidentally being stepped upon.

After a rather light sleep (one has to get used to the outdoors), we woke up at 4 am to the sound of burning camp fire and the smell of fresh brewed coffee. It was still dark. Seona, our great guide, made sure we got up in time to see Uluru and Kata Tjuta at sunrise. And we did!  

Kata Tjuta (The Olga’s) stole the attention from Uluru that morning. The Olga’s are a cluster of rounded rock formations similar to the lonely Ayers Rock. We hiked in Valley Of The Winds early in the morning before it got too hot. The views were spectacular: red rocks as contrast to the deep blue sky  and green vegetation.

On the way to Oak Valley via the unsealed Stuart Highway we stopped for a break on a dry river bank. This is where we measured temperatures of 44⁰C. No wind, no sounds. Serene, beautiful, pure nature. Again the sky was astonishing!

Collecting wood for the camp fire.

Hiking in Watarrka (Kings Canyon).

There wasn't much wild life to be seen along the roads, not a single kangoroo, however we did spot a herd of wild camels and some wild horses, this hugh goana and a few lizzards like the cute little dragon below.

On our way from Oak Valley to the last night camping out doors the sky turned dark and thunder and lightning soon was accompanied by serious showers. We managed to tie some canvas to the truck to give shelter in case it should rain during the night. Luckily it cleared up when we were about to light the camp fire. By now the remaining 10 city slickers had become real bush campers. 

The last day of the trip we explored some gorgeous gorges in the West MacDonnell Ranges. We swam in Ellery Creek, hiked into Red Bank Gorge and swam or crawled over slippery rocks to get further and further into the gorge where otherwise only birds, fish and rock mice come. If you scrutinize the picture you can see the top of our heads between the rocks when we make our way back from no-man's land.

Ormiston Gorge, last stop before returning to Alice Springs. Just one more jaw-dropping view!