NT - Watarrka National Park ( Kings Canyon)

Watarrka National Park is 300 klms north east of Uluru and is best known for Kings Canyon. This impressive canyon soars 270 metres from the base of the gorge and has three main walking tracks. The first day we did the short 2 klm Kings Creek walk with a park ranger so we learnt a lot about the history, plants and animals of the area.
The second day we tackled the rim walk which starts off with a steep climb to the top of the canyon ( I was ready to go home half way up). Three hours later after we had completed the 7 klm walk and I was really glad I had hung in there. The walk was spectacular. At times you are standing on the edge of this massive canyon looking down into the valley below. At these spots, my knees felt rather weak and I got that weird feeling in my stomach when looking down from this height is almost too much for comfort.
The camping area is positioned facing this mountain range. At sunset we grabbed a wine, our chairs and camera, and watched the sun setting on to these stunning red mountains. After dark the dingoes start prowling around the camp area scrounging for food. You don’t leave any shoes outside or else the dingoes will take them. I wonder what they do with them?
On route to this area we saw a group of about twelve wild camels. It was exciting seeing them but they are apparently a problem creating havoc with the native shrubs and trees.

NT-Kata Tjuta ( The Olgas)

About 50klms west of Uluru is another unique rock mass, Kata Tjuta. This group is made up of 36 weathered rock domes which are estimated to be about 500 million years old. These domes are mixtures of gravel, pebbles and boulders cemented together by sand and mud called conglomerates. Apparently, Aboriginal people have lived in the area for at least 25,000 years. When you view the harshness of the land you really appreciate the Aborigines and their survival skills.
One morning we drove out to Kata Tjuta and spent three hours walking the “Valley of the Winds’ trail which is the hardest walk we have done to date. It was up and down some of the domes, through some valleys and I think we did more walking up than we did walking down. The temperature got up to the mid 30’s so by the time we had finished we were both beet red.
One afternoon we went on a helicopter ride over Uluru and Kata Tjuta. A storm was rolling in so we saw both rock structures with cloud around them which gives them a different perspective than all the sunny photos that you normally see. They are both majestic from the air.
Later that night the storm hit. We had red dust everywhere in our caravan and even though I have wiped everything several times there still seems to be a fine layer of dust arriving as quickly as I wiped up.
Our visit to the Uluru - Kata Tjuta National Park has been a wonderful experience, Both of these places have a certain magic about them which makes you want to return.