May 20, 2013 - Litchfield NP, Darwin

As we headed north we visited the Adelaide River War Cemetery, with many graves of those killed in the 1942-43 air raids on the northern regions. It is very well set out and maintained, providing a very solemn yet tranquil place. On to Litchfield National Park where we camped for 2 nights at Wangi Falls, a beautiful spot but the mossies were really fierce hunting for quality southern blood and the humidity very energy sapping. Set off early next morning to explore some of the rest of the park – Tolmer Falls which has a lovely walk around...

May 15, 2013 - Katherine

Spent a day checking out the Katherine area, unfortunately our plan to canoe up the Nitmiluk (Katherine) Gorge was kyboshed by swimming and canoeing being banned due to heavy rainfalls at Easter which had resulted in the crocodiles spreading throughout the gorges so the safety of the waterways was still not guaranteed. A walk to the lookout at the first gorge had to suffice instead. The museum at the former airfield had a very comprehensive outline of the history of the region, including that of one of the pioneering flying doctors, Dr...

Apr 26, 2013 - Leaving Alice tomorrow

After talking to Steph's Dad's Doctor, we have decided that we are going to leave Alice Springs tomorrow and head back to Boyup Brook instead of continuing north as he is not very well, we have decided to do this and then hopefully continue the trip in a few months.

Apr 21, 2013 - Still in Alice Springs

We are still in Alice Springs having a relaxing time of it, doing a little bit of sight seeing of the MacDonnell Ranges which surround Alice Springs. There are a lot of gorges and chasims in these ranges. Unfortunately there is not too much water around the area, and where there is water it didn't look that inviting as it is very stagnate. I will put up a number of photos of both the East and West Ranges. We also had a look at Desert Park where there is a large range of native birds and a very good nocturnal area where you are taken by a...

Apr 20, 2013 - Ayers Rock Resort / Kata Tjuta

Day 24 of our expedition – Saturday 20 April 2013 Ayers Rock Resort Today we were supposed to be leaving Ayers Rock Resort, but we were all very tired from our early mornings and were really enjoying seeing Uluru and Kata Tjuta so we decided we would stay for one more night and have a relaxing day. You just can’t get sick of looking at Uluru. We had a nice sleep in and started the morning with toast which was as treat as we haven’t been able to buy bread for a long time. Mum and Dad washed, today as the forecast is going to be 34 degrees...

Apr 19, 2013 - Ayers Rock Resort / Kata Tjuta

Day 23 of our delight – Friday 19 April 2013 Ayers Rock Resort Today if we felt active the best way to go would be to get up early to see the sunrise and then start the Valley of the Winds walk at Kata Tjuta which was 7.6km but we were very tired from getting up so early on previous days to watch sunrises so we decided we would postpone the walk to about 8’oclock. It was cool in the morning but we knew it was going to get extremely hot so we wanted to try to get a lot done in the cool of the day. Today was predicated to be 32 degrees....

Apr 18, 2013 - Ayers Rock Resort

Day 22 of our enjoyment – Thursday 18 April 2013 Ayers Rock Resort We decided that we would follow along with the free Mala Ranger walk first 2km (which is the Mala walk) then continue the rest of the way around Uluru. The ranger was very interesting but he was taking a bit long for us as we had to do the whole walk around Uluru compared to 2km. eventually we separated from the tour guide and started to pick up the km’s. After a very nice breakfast we drove to the car pack where you start the Mala walk which is the start of the walk...

Apr 17, 2013 - Kings Canyon to Uluru- Ayers Rock Resort

Day 21 of our excitement - Wednesday 17 April 2013 Kings Canyon to Uluru- Ayers Rock Resort Today I woke up to know that I was going to see Uluru. The thing that I have only imagined about, well I did see it when I was 3 years old but I don’t remember. We got ready, packed up and said goodbye to these disgusting toilet and hopefully hello to some clean toilets for once. After a while we got on the road and very soon stopped at Kings Creek Station. We stopped and we realised this was the place I went for a camel ride on my trip around...

Apr 17, 2013 - Alice Springs

Just a quick update, due to us not totally sure what is happening with Steph's dad we are going to stay in Alice Springs for another week until the 24th at least. He is having some more tests next week. We will then make a decision as to what we do. He is in reasonably good spirits and back in his home so he is comfortable. We are going out tonight with Steph's brother Owen and his wife Jo to the local TAFE where the students cook and serve the meals as part of their tourist schooling. I am also taking the opportunity to replace the...

Apr 16, 2013 - Kings Canyon

Day 20 of our boot camp – Tuesday 16 April 2013 Kings Canyon Today we got up according to our clock at 6:00am ready so we didn’t miss the sunrise and the rim walk that is 6km not doing any side tracks, which what we always do! We ran to the platform thinking we would be late. When we got there, there was absolutely nobody at all there and we couldn’t see any signs of the sun. For ages there was no sign of the Atkins or the sun. Finally we saw the Atkins up and we gave up on this sunrise. We started up the engine and started to drive to...

Apr 15, 2013 - Now in Alice Springs

Well after a few days without phone or email at Yulara (Ayers Rock) we are now in Alice Springs. We left Erldunda on Friday and headed to THE ROCK, arrived early afternoon and again the FLYS per prolific. We settled in and had a look around the resort area. We tried to get booked on the Sounds of Silence which is an silver service meal under the stars. I did it when here on the Bash and wanted to take Steph to it. Unfortunately it was booked out for that night but we finally managed to get booked for Saturday night. So this meant we had to...

Apr 15, 2013 - Ormiston Gorge to Kings Canyon Resort

Day 19 of our relaxation – Monday 15 April 2013 Ormiston Gorge to Kings Canyon Resort Today we woke up to a nice swim at the freezing water hole. We have been very lucky as the 4 times we have been in the water hole we have had it all to ourselves. After a very wakening swim we packed up and then headed for the road. Soon we stopped at Glenn Helen Resort to pick up some petrol. We also walked to the waterhole but I got a piggy back all the way there from Alex. When we got there, we quickly realised that nothing can beat the waterhole at...