The outback - The Ghan

Image from a postcard

One more night in Alice Springs and then the next day at 1.00 pm we joined The Ghan for the trip to Adelaide.

 

The Ghan travels through the centre of Australia between Darwin and Adelaide - a journey of 2,979 kilometres. The length of the train varies according to demand but on our trip the train measured 996 metres. The train was so long that on arrival at Adelaide the train was too long for the platform and passengers disembarked in two stages.

The trip on The Ghan is described as one of the great train trips of the world. Once on board we found our sleeper which doubled as a small private lounge during the day. It was a compact but comfortable space and included a small en suite. In the evening the beds were prepared. We spent some time in the Lounge Car where you could meet other passengers or just watch the scenery. Dinner was served in the Dining Car.

Shortly after breakfast we were arriving in Adelaide and the adventure was over.

Later that day we flew home to Melbourne after two enjoyable weeks exploring the dramatic and beautiful landscapes of northern and central Australia.



Outback - Kings Canyon

Another trip through this desert, this time from Uluru to Kings Canyon via the Lasseter Highway.  The drive took us through cattle country including Curtin Springs cattle station. We stayed at Kings Canyon Resort where we watched the sun set behind Carmichaels Crag.

The next day we were taken to the canyon. Robin took part in the climb to the rim of Kings Canyon and the walk at the top providing magnificent views of the surrounding countryside and of the dramatic rock formations and cliffs.

Dots on top of cliffs are people

While the adventurous made the climb, some of us went for a walk along the floor of the canyon with a guide pointing out plants, rock formations and telling stories of Kings Canyon.



Outback - Uluru

Next morning we were up early to see the affects of the light on Uluru at sunrise.

 

 

Later in the morning we returned for a walk around part of the base of the rock where the guide pointed out features of the landscape, Aboriginal rock art and related traditional stories of this special place.

 

Some people elected to climb the rock though this practice is no longer encouraged. Those who decided not to climb the rock were issued with a certificate commemorating the decision.

 

 

Uluru is a special place and it is impossible not to be affected by the presence of the rock itself standing alone in this sparse environment and also to understand its significance to the local community.

 

The Uluru-Kata Tjuta Cultural Centre was also visited before returning to the hotel. The cultural centre, as well as providing information about the national park and its significance to the local people, has displays about traditional culture including music, dance and art. Artworks and other items are available for sale.





The outback - Kata Tjuta and Uluru

Uluru is situated in the Uluru - Kata Tjuta National Park. This link povides additional information about the area.
In the afternoon we set out to explore Kata Tjuta formerly known as the Olgas. Travelling through the sandy desert we stopped for a panoramic view of these ancient domed rock formations rising from the desert.



Once at the Olgas we went for a walk into the Walpa Gorge on a track that follows the creek situated between the two largest domes of Kata Tjuta.

 

The walk provided opportunity to admire the spectacular ancient rocks.

 

 

We then travelled to a viewing area to watch the colour changes of the rock surface as the sun set at Uluru.

 

 



The Outback - Alice Springs to Uluru

From Darwin we flew to Alice Springs. Originally we had planned to travel from Darwin to Adelaide on The Ghan, breaking the trip for a few days in Alice Springs to explore. The train service had only recently recommenced and as we were unable to get a booking for the first leg of the journey we went by plane.

We stayed at the Desert Palms Resort which is across the road from the Todd River.

 

The Todd River flows through Alice Springs but the river bed is normally dry. The Henley on Todd Boat Race, held on the dry sandy river bed in August or September each year, is a major event in Alice Springs. Competitors race along the sand in bottomless boats. In 1993 the event was cancelled due to flooding.

 



 

Next morning we travelled by coach from Alice Springs  to Uluru, formerly known as Ayers Rock.The trip through desert country illustrated the contrasting colours of the red sand and the sage green of the scrub with the bright blue sky.

 

On route we stopped for a short time at a camel farm and then at the Mt Ebernezer roadhouse for morning tea. We also stopped to view Mt Connor which could be seen in the distance from the road.

 

We arrived at the Ayers Rock Resort in time for lunch.

Darwin



Back in Darwin we continued to explore the inner city area, especially along the waterfront - a major feature of this city.

 



In the evening we enjoyed a sunset cruise on Darwin Harbour.

Darwin view from the yacht

Whenever I hear the Skyhooks song, All My Friends are Getting Married, I remember this evening on Darwin Harbour as our fellow travellers on the yacht consisted of a group of young women enjoying a night out. After a drink or two they started singing a variety of songs including the Skyhooks song sung with great gusto.

 

Before leaving Darwin the next morning we returned to the foreshore to watch fish being fed.

 

The Top End - Litchfield National Park

Leaving Darwin early next morning we set out on the Stuart Highway for Litchfield National Park 130 kilometers south west of Darwin. Places visited within the park included

 

Florence Falls

Tolmer Falls

Wangi Falls


We also viewed some of the local fauna

Rock wallaby

Goana 

It was a great day exploring the scenery and wildlife in the national park.

The Top End - Katherine Gorge



Next morning we went on a cruise through the Katherine Gorge where sheer sandstone cliffs rise on either side and are reflected in the water. Katherine Gorge is part of the Nitmiluk National Park.

 

Katherine Gorge - reflections

A short walk leads to a second gorge


We then returned to Katherine where we had lunch and had a short time to wander down the main street.  We called into the library where we saw an early copy of the book, We of the Never Never, by Mrs Aeneas Gunn. The book, an Australian classic, was first published in 1908 and was based on experiences of Jeannie Gunn when she lived at Elsey Station, 90 kilometres south of Katherine.

Heading north again the next stop was Edith Falls.

 

 

A few members of the tour group went for a swim while the rest of us went for a walk and enjoyed the view.

The next stop was a visit to the Adelaide River War Cemetery. This site is dedicated to the memory of those killed during the Japanese air raids on Darwin during the Second World War. The Australian Archives site provides information about the bombing of Darwin in 1942.

 

By the road many of the variety of termite mounds in the area could be seen.

 

We then returned to Darwin arriving around 6.00 pm after four days exploring this special part of Australia.