Another early start and another big challenge

No sleep-ins so far on this trip as we had to be up early for the 5.45am bus pickup from our hotel. A 20 minute trip took us to a pitch black carpark where the bus unloaded its very full load of tourists plus its two travellers, ie us.

We then went on a hazardous walk of several hundred metres on a gravel path to get to the famous Field of Light. The two of us were so thankful we had thought to bring our torches or we’d undoubtedly have been returning home to Brisbane on stretchers. That said, the Field of Light is quite something. For those not in the know, this art installation comprising over 50,000 constantly changing coloured lights was created by British artist Bruce Munro and covers the area of seven football fields. It is on an area of flat desert land located so that it is in the foreground with Uluru providing a spectacular backdrop. Evidently it had been planned as a temporary feature but such was the level of interest that it is now a permanent installation which has attracted a reported 750 thousand visitors so far. It was so great to be able to walk on meandering pathways among the lights. A unique experience.

Just prior to sunrise we walked a bit further, still in darkness, to a lookout on the top of a rise where we could observe the sunrise hitting Uluru. This time the sky on the eastern horizon was clear of clouds so it was quite a different experience from the previous day’s Uluru sunrise. Tea, coffee and biscuits were served, after which it was all aboard the bus back to the resort and breakfast.

We then decided to head off to the Olgas for the Walpa Gorge walk. While Uluru gets most of the publicity, the Olgas, a 45-minute drive away, are even more impressive. Even though a 27 degree day had been forecast the morning was refreshingly cool and we saw no way that the temperature would get to anywhere near its target.

The walk is reported as 2.6km return and taking one hour. I don’t doubt the distance but the time estimate is laughable. It was most definitely a challenge for we oldies, but we were determined not to fail this time. The ground is very rocky and uneven the whole way up between two of the giant boulders and both of us relied heavily on our hiking poles to keep ourselves upright. It was also quite steep in parts. Our target was the head of a small stream which runs between the two boulders. The area along the watercourse is beautifully green. It must have taken us the best part of an hour to reach the top but it was satisfyingly well worth it. When you have to concentrate with every single step on where you put your poles and your feet it eventually becomes quite exhausting. We spent a good half-hour resting at the viewing platform, chatting to fellow visitors and taking heaps of photos of our amazing surroundings. We then successfully braved the return walk to the carpark. It continued to be cloudy and cool for most of the way but about 15 minutes before the end of our return walk a blazing sun suddenly appeared and it became really hot. Shades of the previous day’s experience but fortunately this was right at the very end when we were almost home and hosed. It would be interesting to know how many broken legs and other injuries are sustained by tourists walking the track.Read more