Oh Yes! I so agrre Col n Den. we travelled the Stuart highway over the last 6 weeks, stopping at lots of big and little places along the way. We've had a ball so far! The desert is so green, almost lush in comparison to other times we've seen it, gorges held water, the birdlife seemed more prolific too.
Met a woman in Alice who had flown there then hired a campervan, she said "to avoid that long boring drive". I replied that there had not been one boring moment in the whole trip!
I have to agree - the bush is looking lush. I came down the middle last November. I think some people see a long drive as a l-o-n-g boring drive, but we know that isn't so, don't we. Travel to me is not only about the destination, but the journey. A bit like life really.
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20ft Roma caravan - Mercedes Benz Sprinter - SA-based at the moment. Transport has no borders.
Management makes the decisions, but is not affected by the decisions it makes.
yeah same lots of people say to me why would i wanna drive all that way to see a big rock blah blah blah dont know what your missing out on as for boring get used to it its australia lots of nothing in between i love it ide live out there just to get away from the rush.
i wanna know where is the one taken of fourth along on the top row of the river and rocks around it ?
I'm with you Glassies, I love the outback. I have no desire to go near the Rock though, freaks me out, but the rest, stunningly breath taking isn't it.
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I must be a binge thinker. I do it a lot at times, then, not much at all.
Here in Ayers rock at the moment, well worth it despite the cost of entry and the resort. 0.5 degrees this morning but starting to move north today. First to Kings Canyon and then Alice to see some more wonderfull things that nature has given us.
I prefer Kings Canyon to the rock, you MUST do the walk around the top of the canyon.
we did not stey at the resort, toooo expensive, stayed at the caravan park on the way in, can't remember the name of it, it is about a 15 min drive before the canyon.
Fourth photo along the top is Omiston Gorge , west of Alice.
If you look closely at the attatched photo of Serpentine Gorge, also west of Alice, you can see how the upheavels have wrapped the layers of earth into a roll. Both East and west of Alice has plenty to see and explore.
We left the caravan in Alice and did the Mereenie loop, camped overnight at Ormiston Gorge in our little tent. Just about the best campground we've ever stayed in, we will long remember the dawn next morning, with the sun just touching the top of the cliff. Next day the scenery changes, theres Gosses Bluff, a crater from a prehitoric meteor, not in the least similar to the Macdonnells. Jewel of that whole trip was Palm Valley... interesting getting there too on very rough 4 WD track.
I first saw Palm Valley as an 8 year old .. but went back there a few years ago again .. travelling in a Subaru Forester with a small trailer attached even though it wasn't really permitted ..
absolutely lovely but lacked water this time .. back again there next year hopefully ..
We left the caravan in Alice and did the Mereenie loop, camped overnight at Ormiston Gorge in our little tent. Just about the best campground we've ever stayed in, we will long remember the dawn next morning, with the sun just touching the top of the cliff. Next day the scenery changes, theres Gosses Bluff, a crater from a prehitoric meteor, not in the least similar to the Macdonnells. Jewel of that whole trip was Palm Valley... interesting getting there too on very rough 4 WD track.
You've just gotta go!
You just reminded me of the first time I went there. We had an old Land Rover, which we slept in, it was warmer than the tent, 3 kids and a little dog. I was so keen to see the sunrise, but it was so damned cold... -7, yes, minus 7...I just looked out through the window!
I love the outback too Firefly, but I've been there, done that. Time to see other places.
I'll probably never get to go overseas again, but personally, if I won the lotto or something, America would be last on my list Jim. And Asia would be 2nd to last. I've heard enough to know I don't want to go there.
Yeah I think I am in awe of the beauty Beth, I keep repeating it all the time but we will take a different direction this time, if we find some sun mate.
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I must be a binge thinker. I do it a lot at times, then, not much at all.
I'll probably never get to go overseas again, but personally, if I won the lotto or something, America would be last on my list Jim. Sorry, I'm going off topic here.
Bit off topic too but USA is a very interesting country, just give LA and Vegas a miss. It has an amazing diversity and an interesting history. Avoid the tourist traps, meet the people, visit historic places, travel independently is the way to go.
I've visited USA several times and have driven most times. It's a good independent way to get around especially to avoid the tourist traps and visit the more interesting places away from the major cities. Don't do a fully escorted tour, you won't get to see the real USA.
Drivers are better mannered than here and roads are better signposted. Freeway exits are numbered as are all major roads making navigating easier. We could learn quite a bit from the Yanks in this regard.
I'm with you Glassies, I love the outback. I have no desire to go near the Rock though, freaks me out, but the rest, stunningly breath taking isn't it.
Firefly I went to the Rock pre-resort and you could camp near the bottom and the only other accommodation was a couple of small motels. It was fabulous, and I have no desire to go again to see the changes - I would rather remember the area as it was. Fabulous.
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Esmeralda
It aint over until the fat lady sings, and I dont feel like singing just yet!
yeah same lots of people say to me why would i wanna drive all that way to see a big rock blah blah blah dont know what your missing out on as for boring get used to it its australia lots of nothing in between i love it ide live out there just to get away from the rush.
i wanna know where is the one taken of fourth along on the top row of the river and rocks around it ?
Glassies so glad you changed your avatar - the previous one was the spitting image of a close friend you died six months ago - I had to look twice when I first saw the picture.
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Esmeralda
It aint over until the fat lady sings, and I dont feel like singing just yet!
We have friends travelling from Ularu to Alice as we speak. She was moaning about the boring landscape and asking whether it was worth BOTHERING to go out to King's Canyon. When I said I loved watching the change in the vegetation and ground cover. She said' what changes?' When I said about the eagles, hawks, budgies, camels and emus, she said 'Haven't seen any.'They spent 1 day at the Rock and Olgas. Glad we're not travelling with them.