First Full Day at Yulara

14th September 2023

Distance: 179 Km

Did all the washing this morning. Got out the long line to hang it on and it was only while hanging washing on this line that I realised that the adjacent boundary fence was sturdier and longer – Doh! Even  worse the home made attachments failed in the wind while we were away and some garments trailed in the red soil. The fence was definitely better. It didn’t matter that much – a quick rinse and they were dry again in about 40 minutes.

Katie, Andrew and Dale were up early to go on a camel ride but we had a more leisurely morning before setting out for The Olgas (Kata Tjuta). On our previous visit we had neglected to bring water so were unable to explore them.

Kata Tjuta – The Olgas

Our first stop was the viewing platform looking at Kata Tjuta over the dunes. It is a good introduction to them, from this platform you can also see Ayers Rock in the distance’

Walpa Gorge

This time our first visit was to Walpa Gorge, the ground was rough and strewn with boulders but I made it nearly the whole way. It was a very enjoyable walk and the breeze kept the flies away.

Drove on to the Valley of the Winds, it was a long trek to the Kara Lookout from the carpark, made more difficult in places where they had constructed a rock pavement. Frankly it was too difficult for me so I turned round and came back. I think I was pretty tired from the Walpa Gorge walk so will try again another day.

Valley of the Winds (First Attempt)

Returned to the main road and to the rock itself (Uluru), we drove round the Rock visiting the Mutitjulu Waterhole and Kantju Gorge. In my opinion now that the climb is no longer allowed the place has lost a focal point (and I say this as someone who never wanted to climb the rock anyway).

Uluru – Ayers Rock

That evening we drove to the sunset viewing area to  watch Uluru at sunset, it was an underwhelming experience when I first saw it and I can’t say it had aged any better. Sure it did seem to change colour but not that much.

Sunset

Finally home to bed in the dark and very tired after today’s adventures.