Ryan's Journal: Days 22 - 25

Day 22

Distance travelled: 438km

We packed up quickly and left Kulgera as soon as possible so we could get to Yulara resort. As we approached we were greeted by the beautiful view of Uluru. We started to set up in the camping ground of the huge resort, went and had lunch outside all of the shops, including restaurants and a supermarket. Our first big walk of the trip was not going to be Uluru, but the Kata Tjutas. The Kata Tjutas are huge mountains of rocks; the highest point is about 150m higher than Uluru. We did the ‘Valley of the Winds’ walk, it was long and tiring, but the view from the valley were great! We got back from the walk and Dad put on dinner straight away, we were all starving.

Day 23

Distance travelled: 124km

Mum, Dad and Jackson woke early to see the sunrise over Uluru, but Nick and I stayed in the tent to get an extra hour of well-needed sleep.

We had breakfast and set out to Uluru early. We stopped at the cultural centre where we read up on Uluru. Then we went straight off to the rock. Nick and I decided to climb it, not knowing about the 10km walk that would come after it. It was a tough climb, but with chains to guide us on, we reached the top. The 360 degree view was outstanding! We ate some food up there and stayed a while. When we reached the bottom, we started the base walk, about 10km walking around the base of Uluru. We got to see ancient aboriginal paintings and their myths on the rocks. Again, it was great. It was getting late by the time we had finished, so we went back to camp where we got everything we needed for dinner and headed out to a sunset viewing place where Dad made us some steak sandwiches. The sunset was amazing, although the rock didn’t change colour very much.

Day 24

Distance travelled: 321km

We had to leave Uluru and the resort, but our next destination, Kings Canyon was just as impressive. We went to the resort there and set up, then headed out to the canyon to do the rim walk. Another walk that was around 10km long.  The walk was great but we were all getting a bit tired and sore from this sudden outburst of walking. When we got back to the resort, Dad began cooking dinner, Camel Bolognese!

That night we went to the weekly entertainment at the resort, seeing a band called “The Roadies” play. To be honest, they weren’t too flash, but we did score some lollipops and a few free drinks for getting up on stage and joining in, so that was pretty good.

Day 25

Distance travelled: 221km

We again packed up camp at Kings Canyon. We were about to head into the land of gorges, our first one being Redbank Gorge. On the way we drove around a really rough road called the Mereenie Loop and visiting an amazing crater, Gosse Bluff, that had been created by a comet that struck the area millions of years ago. Our campsite at Redbank Gorge was incredibly rocky, so pitching the tents was hard work but we did have a great view of the West McDonald Ranges. Our day of no walking was short lived when Dad decided to walk down the Gorge. It wasn’t a bad walk, and not long, but it was still a walk! We got back when it was dark and ate dinner.