Week 5 Kings Canyon - West McDonnell Ranges- Painted Desert- Oodnadatta Track
Week 5
The Elksplorers are back on our own adventure.
Tuesday 1st May
Leaving Uluru today we headed towards Kings Canyon. Stopping to look at Mount Conner, the large rock that people often think is Uluru on approach. I can see why, but it's not the same.
Arriving at our intended campsite in the early afternoon we decided to press on.
We enjoyed the short 2.5km walk to Kathleen Springs, Mitch leading the way and reading the information boards along the concrete path. The water did not look too inviting but holds cultural significance.
Tonight we are at Kings Canyon Resort campground. A play at the playground but the water too cold for a swim in the large pool. Cooking dinner in an oven in the camp kitchen, while the boys write their journals.
From the campground you can Kings Canyon, so we just made it to view sunset before an early night.
Wednesday 2nd May
An early start we set off for the 6km Rim walk that came highly recommended. A steep climb, difficult grading , we weren't too sure how the little legs would manage. The walk time is suggested at 3-4 hours. The Elksplorers did it in 3 hours, without complaints. The first part was around 500 rocky steps climbing 100m then more leisurely rocky path with some steep bits including man made steps and bridges. It was such an interesting walk, full of rock climbing and views of canyon, spectacular!! The Garden of Eden is a waterhole along the way, the sounds of silence was so peaceful for the minute we were quiet (we shared the space with 2 school groups for part of it!)
We then hit the Red Centre Way (formally known as Mereenie Road) a dirt road with varied degrees of corragation. We managed easily, wonder what we would have thought of this road 4 weeks ago!
Stopping at Tylers Pass for some expansive views of the ranges we hit West MacDonnell National Park.
Camping at Orminston Gorge, some great facilities in this National Park campground. Flushing toilets, hot showers, Gas BBQ and hot plates and even USB ports to charge your devices. The most beautiful of settings, large rocky ranges to admire and Orminston Gorge only a short walk from camp. Unprepared the boys enjoyed a swim in their clothes! A roast Pork with veggies for dinner , a perfect end to a great day!
Thursday 3rd May
Another day in West Macdonnell Ranges we first stopped at Ochre Pits. Rock formation with many colours that are used in ceremonies by Aboriginal men.
Serpentine Gorge lookout was next, a 1.1km walk and climb. The view at the top was spectacular, well worth the steep incline. Serpentine Gorge doesn't have any water at the moment but the light on the large red rocky ranges and green trees were beautiful.
A swim at Ellery Creek Big Hole was beautiful but incredibly cold. A permanent waterhole that swimming is allowed. Such a peaceful place but swarmed with people as we left.
A quick stop in Alice Springs to restock and buy the next pair of shoes. Xavier had completely worn out his right shoe. This desert trip has been tough for our shoes!! We were back on the road to Stuarts Well Roadhouse where unpowered sites are free. Plenty of space for the boys to play cars in the red dirt while we cooked dinner and spoke with travellers around us.
Friday 4th May.
A long straight drive on Stuart Highway, with a speed limit of 130km/hour we crossed back into SA border.
We turned off at Cadney Park towards the Painted Desert. A recommendation from a traveller last night. Setting up camp on Arckaringa Station, a pastoral cattle station, plenty of open space with flushing toilets and hot showers. Only 4 other cars here very peaceful, besides the barking dogs! Exploring the Painted Desert, it was amazing. So many different colors, reds, whites, yellow even grey, beautiful. We went for a walk as well as a lookout point. After a spectacular sunset we started a camp fire, cooking dinner and marshmallows on it. The amazing starry sky was back, complete with a strong milky way.
Saturday 5th May.
Waking to a pink sunrise and cows in the campsite it was chilly, Xavier climbed into my sleeping bag for a warmer sleep in.
A leisurely morning, we travelled back through the Painted Desert, not quite as charming as the reflections in the late afternoon. We met a couple of cows on the road, not surprising really given the number of cattle stations we've been driving through. One of the cows gave a quick mexican stand off before trotting off the road. Later we must have spooked another cow for it made quite a run for it on the side of the road.
We made it to the Oodnadatta Track, first stop the Pink Roadhouse where everything is pink!
Travelling along the Oodnadatta Track there was lots to see, but at times there was completely nothing, flat and baron they have not had much rain in the last 6 months at all. We followed the Old Ghan Railway , where there were many of the old sleepers and bridges to stop at look at. The most remarkable was the Algebuckina
Bridge. Built in 1890's its hard to imagine how they would have done it. Apparently 352 men were employed and cost around £60000.
We hit William Creek where the population is just 12, swelling to 600 at its peak. It's a town owned by one man who runs the light air craft company, has a pub and campgrounds. The pub has some rustic charm with many signatures, foreign notes, hats and business cards all pinned to the walls and ceiling.
With time limited we decided to press onto Coward Springs, where the reviews of the campground were impressive. Arriving at dusk we were thankful for our quick setup up which Brad and the boys managed to do while I was visiting the bathroom, a flushing toilet at that!! We've really noticed the temperature change since heading back south, now that it's May the daytime temperatures are now in the mid 20's and the night is getting really chilly as soon as the sun sets. A campfire for warmth we all took pictures in our minds of the amazing outback night sky, and tried to catch the shooting stars.
The Elksplorers are back on our own adventure.
Tuesday 1st May
Leaving Uluru today we headed towards Kings Canyon. Stopping to look at Mount Conner, the large rock that people often think is Uluru on approach. I can see why, but it's not the same.
Arriving at our intended campsite in the early afternoon we decided to press on.
We enjoyed the short 2.5km walk to Kathleen Springs, Mitch leading the way and reading the information boards along the concrete path. The water did not look too inviting but holds cultural significance.
Tonight we are at Kings Canyon Resort campground. A play at the playground but the water too cold for a swim in the large pool. Cooking dinner in an oven in the camp kitchen, while the boys write their journals.
From the campground you can Kings Canyon, so we just made it to view sunset before an early night.
Wednesday 2nd May
An early start we set off for the 6km Rim walk that came highly recommended. A steep climb, difficult grading , we weren't too sure how the little legs would manage. The walk time is suggested at 3-4 hours. The Elksplorers did it in 3 hours, without complaints. The first part was around 500 rocky steps climbing 100m then more leisurely rocky path with some steep bits including man made steps and bridges. It was such an interesting walk, full of rock climbing and views of canyon, spectacular!! The Garden of Eden is a waterhole along the way, the sounds of silence was so peaceful for the minute we were quiet (we shared the space with 2 school groups for part of it!)
We then hit the Red Centre Way (formally known as Mereenie Road) a dirt road with varied degrees of corragation. We managed easily, wonder what we would have thought of this road 4 weeks ago!
Stopping at Tylers Pass for some expansive views of the ranges we hit West MacDonnell National Park.
Camping at Orminston Gorge, some great facilities in this National Park campground. Flushing toilets, hot showers, Gas BBQ and hot plates and even USB ports to charge your devices. The most beautiful of settings, large rocky ranges to admire and Orminston Gorge only a short walk from camp. Unprepared the boys enjoyed a swim in their clothes! A roast Pork with veggies for dinner , a perfect end to a great day!
Thursday 3rd May
Another day in West Macdonnell Ranges we first stopped at Ochre Pits. Rock formation with many colours that are used in ceremonies by Aboriginal men.
Serpentine Gorge lookout was next, a 1.1km walk and climb. The view at the top was spectacular, well worth the steep incline. Serpentine Gorge doesn't have any water at the moment but the light on the large red rocky ranges and green trees were beautiful.
A quick stop in Alice Springs to restock and buy the next pair of shoes. Xavier had completely worn out his right shoe. This desert trip has been tough for our shoes!! We were back on the road to Stuarts Well Roadhouse where unpowered sites are free. Plenty of space for the boys to play cars in the red dirt while we cooked dinner and spoke with travellers around us.
Friday 4th May.
A long straight drive on Stuart Highway, with a speed limit of 130km/hour we crossed back into SA border.
We turned off at Cadney Park towards the Painted Desert. A recommendation from a traveller last night. Setting up camp on Arckaringa Station, a pastoral cattle station, plenty of open space with flushing toilets and hot showers. Only 4 other cars here very peaceful, besides the barking dogs! Exploring the Painted Desert, it was amazing. So many different colors, reds, whites, yellow even grey, beautiful. We went for a walk as well as a lookout point. After a spectacular sunset we started a camp fire, cooking dinner and marshmallows on it. The amazing starry sky was back, complete with a strong milky way.
Saturday 5th May.
Waking to a pink sunrise and cows in the campsite it was chilly, Xavier climbed into my sleeping bag for a warmer sleep in.
A leisurely morning, we travelled back through the Painted Desert, not quite as charming as the reflections in the late afternoon. We met a couple of cows on the road, not surprising really given the number of cattle stations we've been driving through. One of the cows gave a quick mexican stand off before trotting off the road. Later we must have spooked another cow for it made quite a run for it on the side of the road.
We made it to the Oodnadatta Track, first stop the Pink Roadhouse where everything is pink!
Bridge. Built in 1890's its hard to imagine how they would have done it. Apparently 352 men were employed and cost around £60000.
We hit William Creek where the population is just 12, swelling to 600 at its peak. It's a town owned by one man who runs the light air craft company, has a pub and campgrounds. The pub has some rustic charm with many signatures, foreign notes, hats and business cards all pinned to the walls and ceiling.
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