DeSERT WANDERINGS WEEK 3
Week 3
Gary Junction Road - Sandy Blight Junction Road- Great Central Road.
Monday 23rd April
Starting our journey we spotted 3 separate groups of camels. Mitch finding one of the groups, his first one to be the spotter.
We have entered Northern Territory. First time for Josh, Mitch and Xavier ! We won't be in NT long as we head back into WA along Sandy Blight Junction Road.
Made it to Kincore to refuel. An Aboriginal community with a Police station, AFL field (& team) , school, store, Centrelink office, Aged Care, all in outhouse sort of buildings. Many Aboriginal people hanging around with a number of dogs too. School was in session and we saw a group of kids playing basketball under a COLA. The store had a good supply, including fresh foods. Icecream and chocolate in locked fridge/ freezer until 2pm, when school is out. Fuel was self service with a lot of rules including no filling up while intoxicated. Diesel a bargain here at $2/L.
Turning down Sandy Blight Junction Road our car was unable to engage in 4wd. The men tried to fix it but couldn't and we decided to press on. Brad drove well in RWD across the rocky and sandy road.
Stopping at camp early we found a shady area to set up for the night. An abandoned quad bike kept the boys entertained.
Tuesday 24 April
A later start to the morning, Xavier taught Audrey how to be a 'legend sword' . Ninja moves Brad captured it on camera. Xavier is certainly entertaining and capturing hearts amongst the adults.
Continuing along Sandy Blight Junction we discovered an abandoned bus.
Crossing the border, back into WA we went exploring off the track. Sir Frederick Ranges where 4 of the 6 cars went up and over the ranges. Unfortunately our car still isn't kicking into 4WD so our car didn't go. Brad and sleeping boys stayed behind and I jumped in with Brett to ride up the steep, pebbly hills!! Quite the adventure, Brett did get stuck on one and Bethany, Tim and I ran up the hill. The view at the top was incredible. Mountain ranges in a 360 degree, green against the red dirt with a grey blue tinge on the horizon. Awesome!
Finding a spot to camp, Frank got his glider out which mesmerised the boys.
Wed 25th April ANZAC DAY
We all got up before sunrise for a dawn service, as such, around a campfire. Brad said a few words and recited the Ode of Remembrance,finishing with playing the Last Post. It was the boy's first dawn service. Watching the beautiful sunrise with it's intense redness, a great way to start the day.
Travelling further along Sandy Blight Junction Road the temperature cooled and we were all able to enjoy morning tea of ANZAC biscuits in the desert.
Arriving at Bundabiggy Rockhole by lunchtime. Absolutely incredible setting. Mountain range so red rocky and high. Walking through the canyon to discover some water. Ready for swimming! Deciding to set up camp here we came back with our swimmers enjoying a swim in the fresh water, with many insects and algae!! The gorge brought these tiny birds, that were flying back and forth in swams, so so quick! Before dinner we went back and found a couple of owls in the trees and cave . After enjoying a roast lamb cooked in the camp oven, we all sat around the camp fire, a great way to end our time in the desert.
Thurs 26th April
Our last day of the desserted desert roads we came to the end of the Sandy Blight Junction Road. Impressive mountain ranges kept us company.
Turning right onto the Great Central Road towards Giles. Camping at WA.... Roadhouse a dry community, the weather turned. It rained and got cold, actually needing jackets and long pants ! Audrey and Chee Hong put on a lovely happy hour snacks in the shelter of the camp kitchen. The rain stopped in time to enjoy our last campfire. Toasting marshmallows and enjoying the heat of the fire I could have stayed there all night!
Friday 27th April.
Getting up early we packed up damp tents in time to get to the Giles Weather Station to watch the weather balloon be released. An interesting visitor centre but unfortunately no tours on today. Watching the balloon released we headed in the direction of Uluru. The boys are super excited!!
Lunch along the way at Lasseter's cave, named after an explorer lasted 25 days here in January 1931 after his camel ran off without him. After leaving the cave he tried to walk 140km to camp but didn't make it.
While driving on the dirt road a Whirlie whirlie formed and spun across our car as we drove passed. Quite a sight!
We saw the Olgas.. amazing.. we kept stopping along the way for photos until going into the park to the viewing spot as a group.
The moment we have been leading up to, we saw it, the big rock of Uluru, as the boys have been referring to it. The excitement in the car was incredible. Was it the actual sight or the fact we had made it, who knows ! In saying that, it really is an incredible sight , it's huge, it's red, and it's beautiful.
As a group we all went to Outback pioneer hotel dinner. An indoor/outdoor dining with cook your own BBQ and salad bar as well as pizza and take away options. Something for everyone. We enjoyed a drink, sitting on the long tables sharing stories of our trip. A fantastic experience. Thank you to Brett and Heather for leading the group, for all the planning and preparation. Without this trip we would not have ventured into the Desert quite like this! We had a great group of people who welcomed these newbie desert wanderers, the Elksplorers, into their group!
Gary Junction Road - Sandy Blight Junction Road- Great Central Road.
Monday 23rd April
Starting our journey we spotted 3 separate groups of camels. Mitch finding one of the groups, his first one to be the spotter.
We have entered Northern Territory. First time for Josh, Mitch and Xavier ! We won't be in NT long as we head back into WA along Sandy Blight Junction Road.
Made it to Kincore to refuel. An Aboriginal community with a Police station, AFL field (& team) , school, store, Centrelink office, Aged Care, all in outhouse sort of buildings. Many Aboriginal people hanging around with a number of dogs too. School was in session and we saw a group of kids playing basketball under a COLA. The store had a good supply, including fresh foods. Icecream and chocolate in locked fridge/ freezer until 2pm, when school is out. Fuel was self service with a lot of rules including no filling up while intoxicated. Diesel a bargain here at $2/L.
Turning down Sandy Blight Junction Road our car was unable to engage in 4wd. The men tried to fix it but couldn't and we decided to press on. Brad drove well in RWD across the rocky and sandy road.
Stopping at camp early we found a shady area to set up for the night. An abandoned quad bike kept the boys entertained.
Tuesday 24 April
A later start to the morning, Xavier taught Audrey how to be a 'legend sword' . Ninja moves Brad captured it on camera. Xavier is certainly entertaining and capturing hearts amongst the adults.
Continuing along Sandy Blight Junction we discovered an abandoned bus.
Finding a spot to camp, Frank got his glider out which mesmerised the boys.
Wed 25th April ANZAC DAY
We all got up before sunrise for a dawn service, as such, around a campfire. Brad said a few words and recited the Ode of Remembrance,finishing with playing the Last Post. It was the boy's first dawn service. Watching the beautiful sunrise with it's intense redness, a great way to start the day.
Travelling further along Sandy Blight Junction Road the temperature cooled and we were all able to enjoy morning tea of ANZAC biscuits in the desert.
Arriving at Bundabiggy Rockhole by lunchtime. Absolutely incredible setting. Mountain range so red rocky and high. Walking through the canyon to discover some water. Ready for swimming! Deciding to set up camp here we came back with our swimmers enjoying a swim in the fresh water, with many insects and algae!! The gorge brought these tiny birds, that were flying back and forth in swams, so so quick! Before dinner we went back and found a couple of owls in the trees and cave . After enjoying a roast lamb cooked in the camp oven, we all sat around the camp fire, a great way to end our time in the desert.
Thurs 26th April
Our last day of the desserted desert roads we came to the end of the Sandy Blight Junction Road. Impressive mountain ranges kept us company.
Turning right onto the Great Central Road towards Giles. Camping at WA.... Roadhouse a dry community, the weather turned. It rained and got cold, actually needing jackets and long pants ! Audrey and Chee Hong put on a lovely happy hour snacks in the shelter of the camp kitchen. The rain stopped in time to enjoy our last campfire. Toasting marshmallows and enjoying the heat of the fire I could have stayed there all night!
Friday 27th April.
Getting up early we packed up damp tents in time to get to the Giles Weather Station to watch the weather balloon be released. An interesting visitor centre but unfortunately no tours on today. Watching the balloon released we headed in the direction of Uluru. The boys are super excited!!
Lunch along the way at Lasseter's cave, named after an explorer lasted 25 days here in January 1931 after his camel ran off without him. After leaving the cave he tried to walk 140km to camp but didn't make it.
While driving on the dirt road a Whirlie whirlie formed and spun across our car as we drove passed. Quite a sight!
We saw the Olgas.. amazing.. we kept stopping along the way for photos until going into the park to the viewing spot as a group.
The moment we have been leading up to, we saw it, the big rock of Uluru, as the boys have been referring to it. The excitement in the car was incredible. Was it the actual sight or the fact we had made it, who knows ! In saying that, it really is an incredible sight , it's huge, it's red, and it's beautiful.
As a group we all went to Outback pioneer hotel dinner. An indoor/outdoor dining with cook your own BBQ and salad bar as well as pizza and take away options. Something for everyone. We enjoyed a drink, sitting on the long tables sharing stories of our trip. A fantastic experience. Thank you to Brett and Heather for leading the group, for all the planning and preparation. Without this trip we would not have ventured into the Desert quite like this! We had a great group of people who welcomed these newbie desert wanderers, the Elksplorers, into their group!
Incredible experience!
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