Blogs from Northern Territory, Australia, Oceania - page 318

Sleeping under the stars was very pleasant, but of course we more-or-less woke up when the sun came up (5.00am). King's Canyon is often referred to as Australia's Grand Canyon. After visiting the American version, I would not quite agree with that statement, but it was spectacular none-the-less. Actually the Blue Mountains in New South Wales were also referred to as Australia's Grand Canyon, so I don't know if the relevant tourist boards managed to resolve that one. To get there, we first walked through an area known as the Lost City, which consists of a large area of strange moon-like rock, outcrops and then a gorge full of Palm Trees known as the Garden of Eden. In the canyon itself there was a large water hole in which we went for a much-needed swim. We ... read more

There are basically two types of tours. The first are the backpackers' tours, as I have already mentioned, which are aimed the young with very little money. They have no frills and tend to be on quite a small scale. Then there are the coach tours, which are aimed at flocks of old fuddy-duddies with stacks of money. Unfortunately, all the backpackers tours to the Western MacDonnell Ranges were fully booked, so I ended up paying through the nose for an AAT Kings coach tour. I was the only one below the age of 80 on the coach! The guide / driver, Scotty, was superb. He spent the whole time cracking jokes and deluging us with an avalanche of knowledge. Anything you want to know about anything in the Outback, he's your man! Most of what ... read more

This is my second visit to Uluru, but first time I was in and out in a day and did not stay for the night (see ). This trip included an overnight stay at the huge resort that has been built from nothing just outside of the National Park. Basically just to service the rock. The full range of incomes and requirements are catered for, from the campsite at one extreme to the $250 a night Sheridan Hotel on the other. I was staying in the Ayers Rock Lodge which was basically one up from the campsite. Given the lack of a shower in Coober Pedy (see ), my first priority was a decent shower and shave, as I had time before our tour left for the Olgas. These are actually much bigger than Ayers Rock, ... read more

After two days on buses with only a quick shower at the transit centre to freshen me up, it was nice to have a shave and a decent length shower. Refreshed and ready to go, I set off for the telegraph station, which was a short walk out of the town, but was the reason that the town was founded. It is built beside a water hole in the bed of the dry River Todd - Charles Todd being the name of a telegraph big-wig and, in case you were wondering, Alice was his wife (I'm just full of useful facts today). I loved Alice Springs. It has a special charm that I never came across anywhere else I visited due, I think, to the fact that it is not too big and busy or too ... read more

The bus for Alice Springs left at 10.30 in the morning and would arrive some time the following morning. Just out of Darwin we entered the true Crocodile Dundee country, mile after mile after mile of bush. After several hours of it, it was starting to get severely boring, but the people on the bus were a superb laugh and there were videos to watch. Two drivers took it in turns, with one driving whilst the other slept in a bed at the back of the bus. Unlike in England where there are signs telling you not to talk to the driver when the bus is in motion, here they positively encourage you to talk to the driver to relieve the boredom for him. Travelling long distances on buses is an incredibly tedious and dull experience. ... read more

June 5, Friday. Did the Katherine Gorge boat trip and was pleased I made the effort. It is such a popular tourist destination, which for me was spilt by too many people. The next time I do this area I will do the walks. Up to this point I hadn’t seen any kangaroos in the “top end” but two appeared in front of me this morning. Had some tough water buffalo meat for dinner tonight. My petrol cap wouldn’t come off when I stopped for fuel; a new one fixed the problem. Spent time drinking at the Larrimah Pub, very interesting owners, we talked for ages. Got to Daley Waters Pub had tea, pitched the tent and had the first hot shower for some time. A good meal at the pub then retired to the bar ... read more