Northern Territory

The next installment with Moose, Goldie, Wolfie and Wolvie. Read more

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Trip start
April 18, 2019
Northern Territory Traveler
Melbourne Airport
April 18, 2019 in Australia ⋅ 🌙 9 °C
Well my trusted tour guide has excelled at getting through security...it took her four attempts.
She looks gorgeous with her travel hat on and her excited looking little face.
She is always a picture of health and happiness at the airport and especially where there is some chance of food.Read more
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Northern Territory Traveler
Sydney Airport
April 18, 2019 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 22 °C
The traveling gypsy on another adventure...and as always I am behind her.
The love of my life and my best buddy and ever alert travel companion...just don’t get in her way!
TravelerIt’s so much fun going on holidays with you because you are curious and unpredictable and up for any adventure...at the start I get so excited just wondering what I am going to learn just by being there with you ❤️
4/25/19Reply
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Northern Territory Traveler
Mid Flight & Uluru
April 18, 2019 in Australia ⋅ 🌬 34 °C
After a three hour flight we have arrived. Temperature @ 34 degrees celsius and a gentle breeze.
Flies are apparent and the earth is red with sparse vegetation just as you would expect in the Australian outback.
Uluru is a traditional site which you can understand because of how it dwarfs the local landscape...the traditional owners of the land are the Anangu people who have lived in this area for thousands of years.Read more
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Northern Territory Traveler
Uluru - Bike Ride
April 19, 2019 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 27 °C
First day at Uluru and began day with a walk, total body workout and stretch and then a ride around Uluru.
The rock track is 15 kilometers and it follows roughly the contour of Uluru. Signs promote the intake of at least a liter of water an hour due to the dry, hot weather. We were relatively lucky as whilst the day was warm we started at 10.30am and finished around 2.30pm.
The traditional owners of the land prefer you do not climb the rock as it is a sacred site and there are places where you are requested not to take photographs due to the spiritual significance of the place.
The waterhole was dry yet you can imagine just how much water would wash over the rock in torrential rain.Read more
TravelerIt was really interesting how many “micro environments “ there were around the base of Uluru...even the light changed in parts especially as the angle of the sun altered the tones. Another thing that struck me was how different the surface and “look” of the rock was depending on the side you were viewing it from. It was such a special thing to do☺️
4/25/19Reply
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Northern Territory Traveler
Uluru
April 19, 2019 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 29 °C
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Northern Territory Traveler
Uluru
April 19, 2019 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 29 °C
More shots of Uluru around the base of the rock with the beautiful Leisa in the foreground.
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Northern Territory Traveler
Uluru
April 19, 2019 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 30 °C
Final sections of the magnificent rock which because of its size and grandeur is at the centre of many dreamtime stories.
There are sections of the rock that you are requested not to photograph due to cultural sensitivities.
None of the waterholes had any water in them as a result of the very dry conditions which was a pity.
On the way back from Uluru we managed to see a willi-willi which is like a very small tornado mostly comprised of dust and soil particles.Read more
Loving the photos!
4/20/19Reply
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Northern Territory Traveler
Sunrise Camel Trek
April 20, 2019 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 13 °C
5.15am start for the camel ride to catch first sunlight. Apparently there are one million wild camels in outback Australia. They were introduced into Australia as beasts that were able to carry large loads across large stretches of desert carrying mainly wool in the early pioneer days.
They are able to survive without water for four weeks as they breakdown fat if water is needed.
Apparently they have a top running speed of 40kmh per hour and our group of camels varied in colour from fawn to red brown.Read more
TravelerThis was such a highlight for me! To see the sun coming up over Uluru on the back of a camel😍We were fortunate to have a bit of cloud around which created the most beautiful hues. At one point in the ride you could see landmarks in W.A, S.A and the N.T....it was pretty cold though!Camels are so funny the way they sit with their legs folded under and when they stand up you better hold on!!!
4/25/19Reply
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Northern Territory Traveler
Camel Trek
April 20, 2019 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 13 °C
More shots of the camel trek...the camels walk in a “string” with each camel delicately tethered to the one in front with a light nose string that it attaches to the fleshy part of the camels nose.
This allows the camels to walk uniformly one in front of the other.
Possibly the funniest part is the different characters of the camels being exposed based on how much they carry on before you mount them.Read more
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Northern Territory Traveler
Getting to Know Darcy
April 20, 2019 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 14 °C
After the ride we got an opportunity to meet D’Arcy up close. He is the last camel in the line up because he is relaxed and slow and most importantly doesn’t get spooked.
The best bit without doubt is mounting and dismounting as the camel has to lean forward to get their back legs to straighten and then push up with their front legs.
When a camel is resting on the ground it rests on a bony prominence called a pedestal which also grows a callous to protect it.
Great fun and finished off with damper and jam :)Read more
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Northern Territory Traveler
Leroy - Hunter Gather Rituals
April 21, 2019 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 17 °C
Leroy was an indigenous elder who was able to explain the different types of hunting tools the local desert people use.
Desert people use boomerang to hunt however boomerangs are not used by all indigenous peoples which was something that I had not expected. It was also interesting to learn that good hunters always take the last animal in the mob so that the rest of the group do not see the kill occur.
Different types of wood are used for different types of weapons depending on the hardness of the timber which dictates what it is used for. E.g Hardwood is used for killing sticks and clubs whilst the softer timber is used to make spears to which they attach a hard mulga tip with a small barb that is glued in place with spinifex resin and kangaroo sinew.
Different black fellas use different hunting tools depending on the area and type of country they live in.Read more
TravelerLeroy was a great story teller and taught us a bit about First Nation Lore and how survival in such a harsh environment requires everyone to be experts in their own role hence very distinct jobs for men and women. Also if strangers come into their territory it is expected you sit down and tell them all about how to get food and water ....even your enemies without this knowledge the environment is so harsh with so many poisonous foods you would surely die. For this reason if a group from another clan comes to you malnourished because of drought it is your duty to not fight them off until you help them recover to full health.I love this ... western society could learn a lot!
4/25/19Reply
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Northern Territory Traveler
Desert Sands Hotel
April 21, 2019 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 19 °C
What is probably most surprising to me is the fact that the internet reception at Yulara is probably better than Abbotsford!
Yet the explanation is quite clear based on the massive antenna located in the centre of the township.
Solar panels provide approximately one fifth of the power for the resort which is quite significant.Read more
TravelerThe whole of Ayers Rock Resort including hotels and camping grounds is really well designed to so that a lot of people blend into the environment. I ran around it in the morning...it took nearly an hour and I couldn’t believe how vast it was. There are 3 lookouts...great vantage points for sunrise and sunset.
4/25/19Reply
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Northern Territory Traveler
Cultural Experience with Sarah
April 21, 2019 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 23 °C
Spent an afternoon at the cultural center of Uluru with an indigenous guide and interpreter Sarah.
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Northern Territory Traveler
Culture Tour
April 21, 2019 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 24 °C
Sarah took us to visit various caves and other sites that included one cave that had quite extensive indigenous artwork in the walls.
TravelerSarah spoke to us in her native tongue as she had an interpreter which was really cool. There are over 150 indigenous languages and some words mean entirely different things in different regions of Australia. Sarah drew in the dirt and explained different symbols and what they meant.
4/26/19Reply
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Northern Territory Traveler
Sunset Uluru
April 21, 2019 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 22 °C
The bus tours are able to access a section that overlooks both landmarks although Kata Tjuta is further away.
The colours of the rock seem to be more pronounced in the afternoon and once again you are astounded by how big the rock is. Our guide said that the rock extends down into the earth for 6 kilometers and was formed as two large land masses collided together millions of years ago.
The orange colour of the rock is a result of the process of oxidation and rusting on the surface of the exposed rock as a consequence of the elements over time.
Because it has been dry up here for such a long time there is a scarcity of bird life and native animals.Read more
TravelerSipping champagne while the sun sets is pretty special we walked to a point where you can see both landmarks at the same time...in some ways Kata Thuta was more spectacular tinight.
4/26/19Reply
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Northern Territory Traveler
Field Of Lights
April 21, 2019 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 18 °C
This is quite a spectacle...the installation was set up by a London based artist who decided to set up a very large field of fiber optic cables with hand blown glass domes that sit atop these long pieces of cable somewhat like an opium poppy bulb :).
The lights have different colours that are synchronized to change every 15-20 secs.
The purpose of this structure is to celebrate the increasing beauty and presence that well thought out technology can bring to a total artistic experience.Read more
TravelerIt was a beautiful evening and we spent an hour wandering through the 50,000 globes constantly changing,it was very peaceful being surrounded by soft lights with stars above.
4/26/19Reply
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Northern Territory Traveler
Uluru Sunset & Champagne
April 22, 2019 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 10 °C
We took another bus trip to view the rock at sunset whilst sipping champagne and eating cheese and biscuits...very civilized :)
The colours of the rock seem to me to be much more colorful at this time of day...deeper and richer. The other shots are of Kata Juta which we are visiting tomorrow and is otherwise known as the Olgas.
I definitely prefer the First Nation people’s names as they resonate with me on a deeper level and I am genuinely aligned with their philosophy toward country and sustainability...more of that to come.Read more
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Northern Territory Traveler
Kata Juta
April 22, 2019 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 14 °C
This is definitely one of the highlights of the trip thus far. Kuta Juta translates to many heads which is in reference to the 16 rocky outcrops that occur in this park.
The amazing rust like colour of the rock is due to the ferrite compound in the rock that oxidizes when in contact with oxygen and water...the rocks are literally rusting and if you split a rock into two pieces the inside of the rock is grey.
The walk around this area was 6.6 kilometers with many amazing sights along the way.
We learnt about the striations on the rock surface and the fact that millions of years ago the area was covered by an inland sea that helped to form the river beds, mountains and valleys you see today.
Vegetation is sparse and also beautiful especially the ghost gums which stand as sentinels in and around the area. The light powder that you can rub from the bark helps indigenous children to learn how to body paint before graduating to ochre.Read more
TravelerIt was great to do this walk after missing out because of weather when I was 16. The terrain was quite rough in parts and the Valley of the Winds was well named!We need to start these walks very early(got up in the dark) as the desert is harsh in the middle of the day.
4/26/19Reply
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Northern Territory Traveler
Kata Juta (Continued)
April 22, 2019 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 15 °C
Some more amazing shots from this beautiful part of Australia. The whole experience would be even better if not for the flies because there are thousands of them and I recall the bus driver saying to us as we arrived that the best investment we could make would be a fly net that strategically sits over the top of your head.
If you plan to tour the NT this is an absolute must have item. Fortunately for us there is a lot of wind in the Kata Juta park area as the wind in different parts of the park howls through the rocky outcrops...this is a natural fly repellent as flies do not like windy areas.
We completed most of the walks in the morning between 8.00am and 11.00am as the temperature is much more moderate at this time of the year. Our guide Suzie told us that sometimes in summer the temperature can rise to 45 degrees celsius which would make the walks much less enjoyable. Note anyone thinking of visiting the NT, avoid summer unless you really enjoy the heat! Jenny would go :)Read more
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Northern Territory Traveler
Kata Juta
April 22, 2019 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 15 °C
The final shots of this magnificent place are probably the best as it was the final view down into the valley that was the game breaker.
From what I can see the joint management of the National Parks with the First Nations people is a resounding success and I would have to say that the National Parks in the Northern Territory are exceptionally well managed. They are well maintained, clean and safe and a great promotion for Australia generally.
The walk through Kata Juta is a must see and do in the NT.Read more
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Northern Territory Traveler
Curtin Springs
April 22, 2019 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 23 °C
One of the desert oasis’s that you come across in these remote areas. This place had its own “earthy” character and no fuss approach.
Motel facilities as well as a desert grass roof thatch that is apparently called a “bough thatch” which was very common in this part of the world in the mid to early part of last century. This particular structure was very solid and had a drip watering system to keep the area cool and damp.
Their were also an array of aviaries outback that housed a variety of bird life. Parrots, cockatiels and budgerigars are very common in this part of Central Australia.
Almost all of these locations have their own bore water holes which allows them to maintain gardens and lush green lawns which in this arid environment are so inviting.
Interestingly, there seem to be lots of Asian store keepers and proprietors in this area which was a surprise to me as I assumed that the desert lifestyle would not appeal to them however one of the most stable sources of income in the area are these remote general stores.Read more
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Northern Territory Traveler
Road Trip Towards Kings Canyon
April 22, 2019 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 23 °C
Pulled over to view a salt lake plain that occurs during long periods of drought.
These salt lakes are quite common in the NT and only fill when there are serious rains in the area.
Also got a chance to view another significant rock formation which according to our guide is privately owned as part of a large cattle station.
This rock also has significance to the First Nations people however the owner will not allow any one on the property except his own family and friends.
I find this level of land ownership offensive especially when you consider how accommodating the indigenous people have been towards us white fellas in relation to access of their own historical sites...alas we still have much to learn.Read more
TravelerI could not believe they would be so disrespectful as to helicopter people to his daughter’s weddings on top of the rock knowing it is such a sacred site😔
4/28/19Reply
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Northern Territory Traveler
Sleep Time Truce
April 22, 2019 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 23 °C
Well at some point people are going to go to sleep :)
Apparently it was supposed to be a truce at this point however I didn’t agree and so it was game on.
TravelerProbably the only time you weren’t asleep!!!
4/28/19Reply
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Northern Territory Traveler
Camp Site
April 22, 2019 in Australia ⋅ 🌙 21 °C
This campsite was the first to have a civilized toilet and shower even though they were open without doors or curtains! Whilst it might not sound much it is a critical consideration after periods with other more primitive setups.
Have to tell you that the red dust of this area gets into everything and pretty much everywhere.
It is also handy to note that as soon as the sun goes down the flies also disappear and apparently they disappear to the spinifex bushes to wait until the new day dawns.Read more
TravelerSleeping in a swag on the desert sand under the stars tonight was very special and obe of the best nights sleep I've had! The shower out in the open and toilets with beautiful views and no doors were pretty special too!
4/28/19Reply
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Northern Territory Traveler
Kings Canyon
April 23, 2019 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 10 °C
Having arrived at Kings Canyon you begin to appreciate the amazing beauty of this place. There are many different moods and walks to do and we decided to complete the 6.3 kilometer “Rim” walk.
The canyon is the result of more tectonic plate movement millions of years ago that forced these amazing rock formations to rise up and dominate the otherwise flat landscape which central Australia is renown for.
The first part of the walk was called “heart attack hill” due to the rather steep 400 meter trail that takes you to the first stage of the walk.
Most of the subsequent walk was quite undulating and enjoyable as I hope these photos will show.Read more
TravelerIt was really interesting to see the impact of inserting some eucalypt needles into our noses and how much they cleared your sinuses...good bush medicine!
4/28/19Reply
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