Our last full day in the park was a cool one with a forecast maximum of 13°C, though we think it eventually got to 15°C. Our aim was to do the last of the three main walks we had planned to do in the region, the Valley of Winds Walk in Kata Tjuta. We got to the trail head (over 50 kms drive from Yulara) around 10.30am. There was some slight spitting but it finished by the time we started the walk, and only started up again a little as we were finishing it. Phew, lucky yesterday with (no) rain and again this day. However, this walk is not called Valley of Winds for nothing. At times, particularly along the first few kilometres, there was a very cool breeze – and we’d experience great feelings of relief each time we rounded a bend to a sheltered part of the track.
As everywhere in the park there was a tour crowd, and sundry other walkers, but again, as on the previous occasions we’ve done this walk, we lost them on the back end. Some people stop at Lookout 1 (Karu Lookout), a 2.2 km return walk, but most go on to Lookout 2 (Karingana Lookout) which means a 5.4km return walk. Continuing from there to complete the whole walk means walking 7.4 kms. Given this is only 2 kms more than doing Lookout 2, we wonder why so many people don’t go on. That said, this walk is, in some ways, the most demanding of the trifecta. It has steep sections, but, unlike the Rim Walk which also has steep sections, quite a lot of the walk is uneven, and can be rough and loose underfoot. It includes walking along pebbly dry creek beds, up and down rocky steps, and across slopes of various steepness. This sort of walking, I’ve been told, is good for the bones!
It’s a wonderful walk. The view across to other “heads”, Kata Tjuta meaning “many heads”, from Lookout 2 is splendiferous, and walking into this “view” amongst and between some of these domes or heads is beautiful. We saw a few wild flowers, specifically desert fuchsia and bush tomato, but overall we saw fewer wildflowers on this trip than on previous visits – despite the rain. It’s all in the timing we suppose. Anyhow, we completed the walk comfortably in around two-and-a-half hours, though after three biggish walks in four days my feet and Len’s knees were ready for a rest.
Light post-walk snack at the Bunya Bar
Mostly when we do longish walks we don’t have lunch. We stop and snack on the way – on muesli bars, dried fruit, and the like – and then have a coffee on our return, before treating ourselves to a good dinner in the evening. We did this after our Watarrka Rim and Uluru Base walks, but on this occasion I felt like something different – partly because I hadn’t been enjoying the coffee in the Centre. So, we decided to return to the Bunya Bar, where I had a pleasant Chardonnay, Len a coffee, and we shared some hot sweet potato chips. It was lovely and peaceful on a pretty chilly day, with enough other people around to make it feel companionable but not too many for it to feel crowded.
Dining again at Sails
Having enjoyed dining with Melita and Brian the previous night, we all agreed to share our last night at Yulara together again – at the Sails’ buffet. The buffet options include seafood, antipasto selections, a soup, curries/Asian dishes, a roast of the day, a catch of the day, a selection of foods from the grill (such as lamb cutlets, and kangaroo skewers), and various salad and vegetable options – something, in other words, for everyone. Dessert options are varied too, with pannacottas, creme brûlée, cakes, friands, and little tarts, and fresh fruit for dipping into an ever-running fountain of chocolate. (For some reason though we didn’t take photos on either of these nights, which I know will disappoint some but result in sighs of relief from others. You can’t please everyone!)
Dinner conversation this time included travel in the US as Melita and Brian have not been there, and are planning an 8-week trip, mostly in the eastern states, next year. Len and I were only too happy to share ideas about things like what not to miss, tipping, accommodation options, and food and dining. It provided a lovely end to our shortened holiday – and we think our dinner companions enjoyed it too.
Some pictures …
Valley of the Winds walk with Sue …