Today (we’re talking Tuesday now) we set off on the next stage of our adventure, once again aware of our missing friends. The drive from Alice Springs to Watarrka National Park via the highway – the only way you can do it in a hire-car not designated for dirt roads – is long. (We do wish the Ernest Giles dirt road in from part way down the highway were sealed! It would save around 150 kms of driving for those of us keen to visit Watarrka).
The first stop is the large roadhouse, motel and campground at Erldunda, 200kms south of Alice Springs. It’s a quiet little place, with nothing much there, as far as we can tell, besides the roadhouse, motel and – you get the picture. It is the junction at which you turn off the Stuart Highway to head out to Watarrka and Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Parks. Watarrka National Park is 273 kms from this turn off. The speed limit for over half the way from Alice Springs to Watarrka is 130 kmh, which is fast by Aussie standards, and the road, though single lane is good. We met the odd bit of traffic (grey nomads, mostly, it would seem), but not much to slow us down. The roads are mostly flat and straight in this desert region, so overtaking is straightforward.
So, we had a quick cuppa at Erldunda, changed drivers, and then headed off to Watarrka, which we reached 2pm-ish. It was mild and peaceful.
We did the little Kings Creek warm up walk in the afternoon. It’s a pretty, but short walk along a dry creek bed, and you do get to see a tiny bit of the canyon at the end. It is no replacement, though, for seeing the canyon proper. We were intrigued, however by something new on the walk this time – tree trunks wrapped in hessian bags. Fortunately, there was a sign explaining the practice and no, it had nothing to do with Japanese horticultural practice as we wondered. It was about protecting the trees from graffiti which was causing life threatening damage to them. Oh dear – love-locks overtaking bridges, graffiti damaging trees! Why can’t we just enjoy without leaving a mark (besides on blogs of course.)
Sunset viewing
We decided to check out the sunset at the park’s Sunset Viewing Platform, not expecting much as it was a cloudy afternoon BUT not only did the sun set below the cloud giving us lovely light on the canyon but we met a friendly couple from Melbourne there, and went on to share dinner with them. (And, of course, found more connections. They live in the Dandenongs in Melbourne, where Len spent the first year of his life, and they have two children, and son and daughter. The eldest is the son and is a teacher.)
Sights
This drive is not a drive for sights but we did see some things of interest – camels grazing on a hillside (from a camel safari business), stands of desert oak (an interesting tree whose juvenile form is very different in shape from the mature form), and, once in Watarrka, a couple of dingoes (including one which stood nonchalantly yawning in the middle of the road), and some busy grey shrike thrush along Kings Creek. Watarrka is one of the few places we have regularly seen dingoes. A later check confirmed that these dingoes are not pure-bred, as we suspected. Apparently the only pure-bred dingoes still wild in Australia, are on Fraser Island.
Patient update
We have heard that our friend, Sylvia, was to be discharged from hospital this day, and that she is doing well. All that walking and fitness she’s been doing since retirement has clearly been of use (even if it didn’t prevent the incident in the first place!).
As for our son, things are trickier, though he too is doing well in terms of the injury he experienced. We are expecting to break our trip on our return to Alice Springs, missing the second stage of the Ghan and our Kakadu sightseeing, in order to be on hand to help him on his return to Melbourne. His right arm is out of action and rather vulnerable until the stitches come out and a cast goes on in about a week or so. He will need help and we are glad to provide it. How lucky, really, that it is only a broken arm!
Some stills..
A dingo in the Kings Canyon Park…
A grey shrike thrush…
Kings Canyon formation from the sunset viewing platform…
The still pictures are wonderful. Love the Camel. The Kings Canyon sunset picture is gorgeous! Also the Kings Creek walk.
The videos take some time to load and I know that I have trouble getting them UNTIL i come into the Comments area and then they seem to automatically load up!
Of course I am excited about the dingo and looking forward to the grey shrike thrush – you know I love me some critters!
Just saw the dingo clip – they move just like our coyotes and I am guessing are as rare a sight to see in the day time. I always find the wildlife viewing so exciting and always feel so lucky to catch sight of whatever serendipity presents. Thanks so much for getting the clip and for sharing.
Loved the thrush! I had a lovely encounter with a Winter Wren in the Washington State ‘s temperate rain forest on the Olympic Peninsula. It was in the Hall of Mosses and the little bird ( often heard but rarely seen) sang and danced for me. Your pictures always remind me of my own adventures… so much fun to enjoy your travel and relive some of my own all at the same time. What a greedy girl I am!
Loved the drama of the close up in the Kings Canyon sunset clip! Ya’ll do such an excellent job of capturing the sights and sounds of your trip. I truly enjoy enjoy the pics and the clips and the story so much. Can’t decide which wins your creative and technical talents or your generous inclinations!
I enjoy your exploration and exposure of connections with the people your are meeting on your travels. How fun!
Glad to hear the good report for Sylvia! And probably good that your Evan will be home soon and wrapped in the care and comfort your family will lavish on him. I wish him safe travel and as much comfort as possible on the way home. I know he will be fine once ya’ll get him in your sights!
Trudy Jayne for Carter and Trudy
Love your detailed replies Trudy. You should write a blog yourself. There will be another brief critter shot in the next post. We heard lots of birds but they are flighty things!! Anyhow, must hit the road again, and make the most of our remaining few days. We are pleased though that Evan has accepted our help. We would have worried and not relaxed if he hadn’t.
Love that outback. Its so spectacular and reminds me of our recent WA trip. Can you stay with Evan in Melbourne?
Enjoy what time you have still
Love
C
Thanks Celeste … Yes, I think of the photos you and Marie posted from WA as we’ve been visiting here. We must get to the part of WA some time. We haven’t worked out where we are staying in Melbourne yet … But suspect not with Evan.
Hi guys
the forecast said it was warm up there so I hope you are enjoying. it is lovely country isn’t it, even if there’s lots of kms of similar stuff. Sad you are missing the rest of the trip, but I am sure Evan will appreciate you being there.
Enjoy the time you have, and it seems you are making new friends!
Thanks Kate. Yes, it’s been lovely. Getting cooler tomorrow – down the 20°C we believe.
As for friends, there’s something about the camaraderie of travellers, isn’t there.
DINGO! CAMEL!! TOO GOOD.
Thank you for coming home. Thank you. Both of your children are going to be so grateful to have you around. Though only one child will be feeding you tater tots and gin as thanks. x
How do you know only one child will feed us tater tots and gin. Have you asked the other one?
He’s far too classy for that. But maybe, instead, I’ll shout us dinner somewhere. That might be best. I only have two chairs. x