Lake Eyre & Uluru

One of the most iconic sites in Australia is Uluru. Lake Eyre is waterless most of the time but springs to life when huge cyclonic driven rain fall in Queensland. That water takes months to flow to the lake. This trip is a rare opportunity. Read more

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Lake Eyre & Uluru Traveler
First view of Uluru
September 15, 2019 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 21 °C
As we drive towards Uluru we had our first view. A short pull of the road and a quick photo.
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Lake Eyre & Uluru Traveler
Second view of Uluru
September 15, 2019 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 22 °C
A bit further along and we have a rest stop. Nothing to see here unless you make a little effort and clubb a small sand dune. From the sand dune is a better view of Uluru and to the right another mountain.

There is good phone signal from the dune so I can post the last couple of footprints.Read more
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Lake Eyre & Uluru Traveler
Uluru and Olgas Sunset
September 15, 2019 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 30 °C
After a good tip from the tourist centre, we headed to one of the sunset locations. Depending on the day this is a good vantage point for the sunset casting colour onto Uluru.

Was just a bit crowded with a school tour having beaten us to the spot. We still managed to get some nice photos to finish our first day here.

We decided to hang out for moonrise. Sadly it is not an easy subject to photograph but tonight it had quite a gold colour.Read more
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Lake Eyre & Uluru Traveler
Field of Light
September 16, 2019 in Australia ⋅ 🌙 12 °C
A very early wake up call, 4:15 am, and we just made the bus. He was early but then had to wait a couple of pick-ups later for a couple of sleepy heads.

A short drive out from the town to the field of Light. We trekked a hundred meters or so to the sunrise viewing area and waited until everyone was there.

At this point I managed to get photo that included Uluru. Quite a feat in the moonlight. At this point the field was a distant bed of colour.

As we got closer we could see the lights clearly. Many groups lit by high power LED projecting light into hundreds of optic fibres illuminating the spheres. The lit fibres snaked over the dry sandy ground like an alien nerve system.

As the morning twilight increased the lights appeared to get dimmer. Quite a few changes of light until the sun rose and cast an orange glow on the rock. The Olga's wanted a bit of the glory and shone in gold away to the west. By now the lights were an acrylic sparkle adorning the field with the rock now clearly imposing its presence in the distance.Read more
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Lake Eyre & Uluru Traveler
Uluru up Close
September 16, 2019 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 33 °C
Today a lap of Uluru. Not by walking, although that is doable. Not by pushie but by Segway. Long time since I had a ride on one but it was easy. 12 k total at 36 degree temperature. No way I want to walk that anyway. It was a nice chance to Se up very close, however there is quite a lot we are asked to no take photos.

When we got around to the climb area, I realized it would not be smart to attempt. Just one month left until the chains are permanently removed. Many people were having a go. Technique varies a bit but a cling crawl seems popular. Many climbers come back down in reverse. Definitely not for me.

Later we moved to the sunset viewing area with about 200 other people to watch the changing hues as the sun set. Today there were some clouds,Read more
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Lake Eyre & Uluru Traveler
Uluru and Olgas from the Air
September 17, 2019 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 26 °C
From a chopper you get a very good look at these imposing landmarks. Uluru is said to have formed many millions of years ago as a huge sandstone sedimentary rock. Later it was thrust up and onto its side with the layers now at an angle.

The second largest monolith in Australia is a title we are not sure of. It is not known for sure how much is beneath the surface. Mt Augustus in WA is visibly larger but may not extend as far below the surrounding lground.

The Olga's is a quite different composition and has weathered into the distinctive dome shapes now visible.

Standing beside the places make one feel very small and somewhat insignificant.Read more
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Lake Eyre & Uluru Traveler
All Aboard
September 17, 2019 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 27 °C
This is an interesting vehicle to see at the side of the road. Obviously from an age long forgotten. Seems like it should be restored and displayed somewhere.
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Lake Eyre & Uluru Traveler
Henbury Meteorite Crater
September 21, 2019 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 13 °C
A long, long time ago, a huge meteorite crashed to our planet. While most burn up before they impact, this one was large enough to hit. It broke into eight pieces and well and truly left its mark. Two large piece said to about the size of a 200l fuel drum hit close together to scoop out the larger crater.

Two more large bits struck close to form two more large craters. The remaining smaller pieces landed a little away making mini craters.Read more
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Lake Eyre & Uluru Traveler
Stuart's Well
September 21, 2019 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 16 °C
A rare water pond in this place. Like an oasis in a very dry area.
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Lake Eyre & Uluru Traveler
Claypan Boogie at Rainbow Valley
September 22, 2019 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 12 °C
Just 25 kilometres off the highway is a hidden gem. The place is serious eye candy and a photographers dream. A beautifully rich coloured formation that changes by the minute throughout the day. A huge claypan the is perfectly level and a rock like a huge mushroom.

We camped here for a night and packed in the two walks available and an amazing sunset.

And the BOOGIE?
Sadly we can no longer Boogie here. The claypan is quite a fragile environment and we are not allowed walk out on the surface. We stand beside and imagine a Boogie in a time long ago with clap sticks and didgeridoo.Read more
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Lake Eyre & Uluru Traveler
Anthwerrke Gap
September 23, 2019 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 15 °C
It is difficult to know how some of these names are pronounced. This is pronounced an-tur-ka.

Just a short drive from Alice to the east is this interesting gap in the range. There are interesting aboriginal art that we are asked not to photograph. The formation of the cliffs are very striking.Read more
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Anzac Hill, Alice Springs
September 23, 2019 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 14 °C
This Anzac memorial has great views of the city. There are some walks one can do up the hill. Looking down a set of steps disappearing over the edge looks danderous until you notice it leads down to the track.

Aside from the great views there is a lot of information about the various conflicts of the past.Read more
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Lake Eyre & Uluru Traveler
The Tank Cafe
September 24, 2019 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 13 °C
After more than 50,000 kilometres, the van needed a couple of new tyres. We limped into Alice Springs with the wire started to show on the weirdly scalloped side of one tyre. The tread was still legal but this kind of wear is not.

We managed to find a tyre place in town that had a couple of suitable tyres to replace the worn ones. The manager suggested the Cafe down the road. Called the Tank Cafe, it has a huge tap just inside the door connected to a very rusted tank. Probably it was a water feature.

Inside it is quite busy for a weekday. We have found out that usually there is live music. Seems like a good spot for breakfast.

UPDATE!
We are still in the Cafe with quite heavy rain outside. Unbelievably, we are in Alice Springs while it is raining! We quietly rejoice the rain in a continent that is the driest on the planet.Read more
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Lake Eyre & Uluru Traveler
Raining at the Gap Hotel
September 24, 2019 in Australia ⋅ 🌧 10 °C
As I noted in the last report, it is raining in Alice Springs. Not the hard rain we are used to in the coastal east but a caressing gentle rain. Soaking into the very essence of the earth and coaxing new spring life to the land.

It is certainly tempting to linger here to watch the inevitable change. Trees will sprout forth new growth and will flower profusely. Millions of dormant wildflowers will awaken to splash their palette of colourful paint upon the landscape.

The birds and animals will also multiply. Nests will be filled with new chicks and the reptilian species will go forth and multiply. Many others such as the marsupials will enjoy the fresh new grasses. After some 4 years of poor conditions this is welcome for everyone.Read more
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Lake Eyre & Uluru Traveler
Corroboree Rock
September 25, 2019 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 14 °C
We keep being amazed by the landscape in this area. Corroboree Rock is no exception. Interesting forms delicately balanced for our viewing pleasure.
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Jesse Gap
September 25, 2019 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 15 °C
Another fascinating formation. We walked around and wondered how safe it was to be close to the bottom of the cliffs.
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Central Australian Aviation museum
September 25, 2019 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 20 °C
This looked interesting but we were too late to visit.

The Drover displayed out front was acquired in a very poor state of repair and restored to its present state by many volunteers. They were built in Australia for the flying doctor service. This one had been used from 1952 to 1970.

https://centralaustralianaviationmuseum.org.au/Read more
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Lake Eyre & Uluru Traveler
Sunset at Anzac Hill
September 25, 2019 in Australia ⋅ 🌙 19 °C
We had a thought to go to the Anzac Hill for the sunset. Seems like 50 or so other people also had the same idea.

Not like the Uluru queue though. You are one of a couple of thoysa d out there. Up to 2 thousand potentially at the coach viewing area. We viewed from the car area there using one of the hundred plus car parking spaces.

Today though Alice Springs was a good place for sunset.Read more
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Alice Springs Desert Park
September 26, 2019 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 26 °C
The entry fee seemed expensive, however it seemed so little after our day in the desert.

We were rewarded with a day of rich experience and a better understanding of the desert environment. We started with the biggest wow factor of the free flight birds. Owls, birds of prey and a humble magpie thrilled us with spectacular displays of flight skills.

The 20 minute show seemed so short but the birds each put a lot of effort. The falcon showed us speed up to 100kph while a black breasted buzzard demonstrated his skill breaking open an egg with a rock.

From wow to wow the nocturnal exhibits and huge bird exhibits made the 8 hours we spent there seem too short.Read more
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Lake Eyre & Uluru Traveler
Aileron
September 27, 2019 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 28 °C
The Big man (The Anmatjere Man) is the billing here but it is somewhat eclipsed by the big woman below the hill. Looking closer is the big child also.

The Roadhouse is a little quirky and has some interesting artworks as well.

I just managed to get some internet and discover to my amazement that most of the paintings in the bar are by Albert Namatjira and his family. The owner has no intention of selling any.Read more
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Beam Me Up - Scotty?
September 28, 2019 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 32 °C
Wycliffe Well is just like any other outback Roadhouse... Or is it? Reports of flying saucers and extraterrestrial activities are part of this remote landscape.

Or is it too much imagination and low flying cars in a time when there was no speed limit?

Another possibility is the large selection of beers on offer. The truth is out there. Best decide for yourself.Read more
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Lake Eyre & Uluru Traveler
Devils Marbles
September 28, 2019 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 32 °C
Hundreds of gigantic rocks precariously balanced at seemingly impossibly positions. This place is like a prehistoric art site formed by super powered beings.

One can easily appreciate why this place held high in the indigenous lore as a sacred site. We are fortunate to be able to walk around these ancient boulders and enjoy their imposing presence.Read more
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Balancing Rocks
September 29, 2019 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 20 °C
It never ceases to amaze how nature can balance rocks at seemingly impossible positions. There are countless examples here at Devils Marbles.
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Lake Eyre & Uluru Traveler
Savonius Turbine Windpower
September 29, 2019 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 32 °C
Just a bit north of Tennant Creek, just before the old telegraph station is a very interesting wind powered bore pump. Well, the remains anyway. The power plant has fallen apart and no longer works. Water is now lifted from the bore with a solar powered pressure pump.

The old tech is interesting though. Savonius turbines have been around for many years and are the basis of ventilation devices on buildings long before the whirlybirds so ofyen seen today. Two haft circular vanes on a vertical shaft that run regardless of wind direction. Not very efficient but cheap drive power for a ventilation fan.

The ubiquitous whirlybirds is no doubt more efficient and even cheaper. The installation here at the bore has three huge vanes. The remnants of the drive coupler are still here but as to the pump it powered, that's just a guess for me. It could have been a jack pump since those are very old tech. A helical archemedies could have worked but that is relatively new tech compared to the surrounding infrastructure.

It would be interesting to know the power it produced and perhaps how long it might have been used. It seems the water it pumped went into a tank and then flowed into a shallow trough. Cattle must have waded in like in a creek to drink.Read more
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Lake Eyre & Uluru Traveler
Barkley Homestead Roadhouse
September 29, 2019 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 33 °C
Sometimes we decide to stop at a Roadhouse. Today we are at Barkley Roadhouse and booked in to an unpowered caravan site.

A bonus is a small patch of real grass. It is great to stand on grass with bare feet after two months in dust.Read more
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