We left Daly Waters with so much enthusiasm about our next destination.  Uluru bound!!!!  With a pit stop at the Three Ways, and a free very cool sign from the lovely manager, we were in search of a free camp for the night.  The Pebbles is where we pulled up and it was amazing.  It was approaching sunset and the colours that danced on the red pebbles were stunning. 

                                                 The Three Ways that lead to Three States

                                                         Picturesque camp at The Pebbles

 

 

 

We woke all refreshed after our big drive and spirits where high even though we knew how many kilometres we had ahead of us.  I could not think of a better place to have morning tea than the Devils Marbles.  What a fascinating sight, to see massive granite boulders sitting on top of each other, looking like you could push them over.  Even Troy (mongstrong) couldn't shift them, but we had so much fun trying and exploring.

 

 

 

Back in the car and en route to Alice Springs.  We booked into the Big 4, which the kids loved because the Park put on a free pancake brekky!!!  We explored the markets and stocked up our supplies.  With an early start, we hitch up and take off to see how close we could get to Uluru.  The plan was to free camp along the way, but without even speaking about it, Troy and I shared a look and we decided to keep going all the way.  The kids asked how many km's until we got to the free camp and we had a little chuckle to ourselves.  We had driven 400km and were all a little over it, then in the distance, we saw it.  ULURU!!!!  There was cheering and laughing, all involuntary because we could see such a landmark from some 60km away.  Spirits were lifted immediately.  We booked into Yulara, and just couldn't wait to go and see it up close.  I don't think that any of us will ever forget the feeling we had just approaching Uluru.  There were a lot of 'oh my gosh' and 'this is amazing' and 'I cant believe how big it is'.  Sammi whips out with "I so want to say a naughty word, but I cant", which made us all crack up laughing (where that girl gets these things from is beyond me).... 

The next morning with back packs and picnics, the six of us embark on the 12km journey around Uluru.  Amazing would have to be the biggest understatement.  Every turn there was history, aboriginal art, waterfalls, waterholes, caves and no two where the same.  Every angle you looked was so spectacular and different to the one only metres away.  It was so uplifting, just being there, and spiritual in a way i'm still trying to define.  We decided we needed to see Uluru at sunrise and sunset.  To see the morning sun hit the rock was breathtaking, the colours were magical.  We waited for everyone to leave and then had a BBQ brekky watching Uluru.  The visitor centre was really interesting.  They have what they call the 'Sorry Book', which is a book of letters apologizing for taking pieces of Uluru home with them.  Every letter tells how they took a piece of rock, and have had such bad luck ever since and wished to return the piece to its rightful place.  People from all over the world have sent rocks back with sorry letters!! 

We went back to camp to pack for a champagne nibbles at sunset.  It was truly incredible.  As the sun was going down, the moon appeared.  It was so glorious and something I will never forget.

 

                                                   Sunrise at Uluru

                                                        One of the caves in Uluru

                                           Two very different views from walking around it

                                                   Sunset

                                                      Midday

                                                   BBQ Brekky

                                                                     another cave

                                                     The amazing sunset


The Olgas are just as special in their own right, with the tallest formation being some 200m taller than Uluru. 

                                                                        The Olgas

 

 

 

We had an amazing time in the Red Centre and we still had so much more to see.  Kings Canyon was our next destination and apart from paying $2.50 per litre for diesel, it was such an awesome experience.  I loved it!!!!!!!  It was adventure and sightseeing all rolled into one.

 

                                                          The Red Centre

                                                      Kings Canyon

                                                     Our very own Pride Rock

 

 

Ellery Creek Big Hole was where we based ourselves to explore the Macdonnell Ranges.  There was so much to see.  A beautiful part of our country.

 

                                                        Standley Chasm

                                                                  Ellery Creek

                                                             Serpentine Gorge

                                                                 Ormiston Gorge

                                                         Ochre Pits

 

 It was time to leave the Red Centre and make the long trek back up to the Three Ways.  I was driving and had had enough for the day, so we pulled into Aileron Roadhouse.  What a legend decision that turned out to be.  Troy went in to see about camping and came out and said that the kids were free of charge.  Something not really heard of on our trip thus far, so we thought we better go and have a beer to support them!!  We walked in at 2:30pm and met Josh, the bartender who told the kids to grab a free soft serve ice cream.  We were stunned.  We then met the managers, twin brothers, Ian and Dan.  They set the kids up at the bar, gave them a lemonade and the remote to the telly.  Needless to say we just had to stay and have dinner.  We had the best night, a little too good, with great people who made us feel like part of the crew. We left just after midnight.  We cannot thank them enough for their hospitality and also the worst hangover I have ever had in my life.  We also met Bow, the wedge tailed eagle who had been hit by a truck and looked after by the Roadhouse.  It was also home to the 'Anmatjere Man' which is giant aboriginal statues.  Aileron Roadhouse is a must if your in the Red Centre.

 

                                                             Troy and Josh

                                                               Bow

                                                         Best Pub stay ever

 

 

We had a free camp just east of the Three Ways, our last camp in the Northern Territory.  It was such an experience and the State has so much to offer.  Memories were made and treasured there. 

It was such a happy/sad moment crossing the border into Queensland.  Kaicey cried, and I must admit it was a little emotional.  We had come such a long way, and here we were, standing on the border about to cross over into our home state.  We were so proud of what we had achieved, yet a little sad to be so close to home.  Almost 10 months in the caravan and still loving life and being together.  We have a lot more to see yet.

                                    

                                          Troy being Troy hehehe

 

 

Until next time

The Travelling Bryants

Love ya's all xxx