Day 7, Sunday 3/7/2016, Uluru to Kings Creek Station

It's a chilly 2 degrees C this morning and there is still no government as the vote is a tie. Col and I did a leisurely 1hr pack up this morning, then went and chatted to Robert and Alison. Robert wanted a night photography lesson, so I taught him the basics. He needs to get a shutter release cable.

Davies and Morgans seem less shell shocked now, plodding along with their packing up in a much better mood.

Off to check The Rock again.

It was closed to climbing due to wind today. There were some very long faces in the 18-20yr group. We did the Marla Walk instead which was surprisingly pretty and dramatic. There were caves, trickling water, ponds, trees, cathedral-like walls and the occasional Aboriginal rock art.

We all hugged the rock and felt a great connection with it's power and beauty. Farewell until next time.

After a pit stop and grabbing some snacks we did the drive to Kings Creek Station. Col seems quite recovered from his flu now. We stopped at Mt Connor rest stop and after lunch crossed the road and up a sand dune to a bit of a lookout to the north and were surprised by the lovely claypan view.

Driving west towards Kings Creek Station you get an amazing red rock ridge to your right. The station had a great campsite and covered kitchen area, but I was a bit disappointed. We miss Leroy! Last time Leroy was here with a camel show and camel rides. There was nothing to warn us this has gone!

The showers were great, they sell amazing hot chips and we still had fun visiting the baby camel. After early showers we made a fire despite the rain. Yes, it's raining again. We sat around the fire in-between showers.

I downloaded all photos and videos so far and everyone had fun looking at how I can improve my night shots on LR. Eliza was my assistant, picking out all the digital noise. 

Day 6, Saturday 2/7/2016, Kata Tjuta and Uluru

Uluru was such an amazing pink at sunrise. I had a bit of a photo session with Leah and Peter. Gary and Amara went walk-about, towards Uluru. Col and Eliza had been walk-about earlier. For our day trip of sightseeing today, the kids needed to pack up the Foxwing and Col and I had to pack up both the Foxwing and rooftop tent.

First we went to Uluru, but it was closed due to being wet. Bugger! So we decided to do the 7.5km Kata Tjuta walk first and try Uluru again later.

It was so beautiful, certainly decent exercise and so worth it! There were a lot of flowing creeks and waterholes. Such pretty scenery! 

The walk physically tested a few people, including myself. We headed back to Uluru but it is now closed due to wind.

Siân hunted for the present left by her friends following cryptic clues. Jack found it from her photos. So cute, a message on a rock left months ago.

Peter is amazed at the size of Uluru. I told him he's only seeing half of the height due to the angle. It just keeps going!

After a fuel stop at Yulara, and Leah grabbing more groceries, we headed back to chill at camp. I think we need a decent campfire tonight.

Well that was a perfect afternoon and evening. After we put our tent back up, we sat with a book and drink for a while, with fabulous desert and Uluru views. Afterwards, it was soft tacos for tea, then Leah and I set up our tripods to try some night photography which most people came to watch. Col was a great assistant and light thrower and some beautiful shots were captured.

We had a great fire at our camp which we all sat around, except for Gary and the girls. They were being social butterflies and visited other campers. The girls played capture the torch with other kids and toasted marshmallows in their campfire.

Day 5, Friday 1/7/2016, Coober Pedy to Uluru

Alarms were set for 0600hrs, with cars packed, breakfast eaten, dishes done and toilet stop,  all leaving together at 0657hrs. Three minutes before the planned time. It was a luxury to not have to pack tents up. Watching the sun rise across the desert through fog while driving out of Coober Pedy! Fog! Crazy desert!

We stopped at Marla at 0930hrs. Half an hour for fuel, toilet, coffee, hot chocolate and hot chips for the littlies. Then heading along the Stuart Highway there were some lovely mesas and rocky hills, then small, dark red sand dunes that were covered with grass and shrubs as we crossed into the Northern Territory.

Lunch at Erldunda was just sandwiches in the carpark but we had fun visiting the emus, and Amara and Eliza were excited to hold a 'baby' emu egg. Then we were driving through green scenery and rain! It's not your typical desert these days. The red sand dunes get to a decent size past Mt. Connor, with desert oaks in the swales.

About 5 to 10km before Yulara we turned left, following a small sandy track through the sand dunes to our planned bush camp "Uluru By Sunrise" on Wikicamps. It was everything I had hoped for with beautiful red dunes and a view to both Uluru and Kata Tjuta. (This site has since been banned, so don't go here now). Leah's rain goddess title was in play again with us arriving there in the rain. Col and I chatted to some friendly Canadian campers Robert and Alison for a bit and Col set up the dunny with a view of the rock!

We had a bit of a fire that we occasionally stood by, but not wanting to sit in the drizzly rain. After tea the Parkes clan taught Siân how to play Euka in the kid's set up under the Foxwing Awning. I fell asleep to some didgeridoo music mixed with a synthesiser. There's a group having a loud concert across the dunes to the east.