Through the Middle


Tuesday, 24 April, 2012

As we left Marla, a very lazy dingo wandered along the side of the road and watched us as we stopped to take it's photo.

From there we travelled across the Northern Territory border to Erldunda where we turned left onto Lasseter's Highway towards King's Canyon. After 108kms we turned right and found Salt Creek Rest Area in the Liddle Hills. Along the way we saw camels, Major Mitchell cockatoos and a flock of budgerigars.

Wednesday, 25 April, 2012 (Anzac Day)

Rock Face, King's Canyon, NT

King's Canyon, NT

Rock Steps, King's Canyon, NT

After an enjoyable evening chatting with new friends we set off to Watarrka National Park and King's Canyon where we started the Rim Walk, about 6 kms, which can take anywhere from 3 to 5 hours. We took about 4 hours including a picnic lunch near the "Garden of Eden" about half way through the walk. The walk started with a very steep climb up rock steps but the view from the top was magnificent. There was a lot of climbing and uneven ground but the walking path was well sign posted. There are several walks of varying difficulty so most people are able to enjoy this spectacular place. The scenery varied, chasms, plateaus, valleys and the "Garden of Eden" which is at the top of the canyon where it all began from a small crack in the rocks. It is a little oasis with ponds and lush vegetation. The desert cycads were hundreds of years old. The colours, cracking and layering of the rocks shows the history of the formation of the Earth.

"Garden of Eden", King's Canyon, NT

After an absolutely wonderful day we made our way 120kms back to last nights campsite where we found familiar faces from last night and a few new ones.

Thursday, 26 April 2012

Today we made our way back to Erldunda for fuel and then to the Desert Oaks Rest Area, 32 kms along the highway. We are using as many rest areas as we can as the caravan parks are few and far between or not worth staying in, no point in paying for services that we are not going to use.

Friday, 27 April 2012

Alice Springs was the next major town but we passed straight through as we had been there before. We then crossed the "Tropic of Capricorn", re-fuelled at Ti-Tree Roadhouse, where we possibly should have stayed for the night as most rest areas were either too small or a bit 'rough'. We eventually set-up for the night at Taylor Creek Rest Area.