Alice Springs to Uluṟu

We decided to fang it to Uluṟu, a day early. 428km and around 5 hours all up. We are staying in the overflow area and that way we will be ready to get set up in our proper site early tomorrow.

First, check out our shiny new back windscreen. Thanks, Trusty Glass!

The Macdonnell Ranges cut right through Alice Springs. It is an incredibly striking town.

Nope, not Uluṟu! This mesa is Mt Conner, 343m high and not far from the more famous rock.

The overflow area, which in some ways is nicer than the actual campsite, apart from the non stop grinding of the generator a short distance away. To be fair, you can hear that from the sites too; making the resort’s tagline of ‘Touch the silence’ a touch ironic.

Generator in background. Lux helping with the hex pegs.

In case you’re wondering, the Not Overflow Actual Campsite is not a vast improvement. It’s quite squeezy and right next to the road.

Day 2 at Ayers Rock campground and look who we ran into!

These two became a comedy duo, one singular pizza unites by cheese.

In the afternoon, we decide to go see the actual rock.

Some Uluṟu facts. It’s arkose sandstone. It’s the biggest monolith in the world, at 350m high (taller than the Eiffel Tower). It’s around 500 million years old, and has been under an inland sea twice. Sometimes it looks like a slumbering beast, sometimes a glowing croissant. It is sacred and being in its vicinity, you can feel why.

Muṯitjulu waterhole, which is linked to to a snake dreaming. When we were there a breeze blew over the water making it look like silvery scales.

We set off for a sunset viewing which was quite the touristy affair with picnickers, selfie photo shoots, families blaring Paul Kelly and young international lovers canoodling. Lux kept asking when something was going to happen, and Oli was doodling in the sand and throwing rocks – bored.