Erldunda to Uluru 7th July

After a great sunset on Thursday night at Erldunda, we made our way to Uluru. Plenty of people heading in and out. Filled up with diesel at Erldunda before leaving, hitting the $2.03 mark per litre. This won’t be the dearest though!  You have to expect it. The fuel has to be transported a long way!

We stopped for a cuppa along the way and a photo of “Fooluru” (aka Mt Connor). Many first timers here see this on the horizon and think it is Uluru. Only about 100km away.

We got here about 12.  Joined the queue to check in. About 15 others in front of us. A guide at the gate and signs up saying, if you hadn’t prebooked, go away, as there was no room at the Inn!  The lady behind me in the check in line was from Bendigo, she was a cook for Bendigo bus lines, and had a group of schoolkids to check in.

After a wander around the park, and the “township”, it was off to Uluru to prepare for the sunset.  It was about a 15 min wait to enter the National Park, as we had to stop to purchase a permit. $25 pp for a 3 day pass is reasonable.   Drove around the Rock.  It truly is an amazing sight, from a distance and up close.  It was then back to the viewing area to settle in with hundreds of others for the sunset.  It was all very friendly, cracked a nice bottle of bubbles. We ended up chatting to a couple from Morwell who had been on our tour at Coober Pedy. A couple of young men in a little camper van were cooking up their dinner next to us, and we chatted to them. Everyone is up for a chat.

Today, after a nippy start, we headed back to Uluru for a free, guided Ranger tour. Heaps of people already there, hoping to climb the Rock.  But it was closed because of strong winds on the summit.  (We had never intended to climb it). There were a few disappointed tourists.  Apparently the wind is measured several times a day from 3 different locations.  If it reaches a certain speed, then it must be closed. It remained closed all day.  Safety is a priority.  A tourist died on Tuesday climbing it. Our guide was in the retrieval party.
The tour was very informative, explaining Dreamtime beliefs, Indigenous ceremonies, significant sites, as well as the geological/scientific explanation of how the Rock was formed.  After that, we had lunch before heading off for a walk around the base.  Just a lazy 10km around. It was a flat track, but a bit sandy in places (red sand, that is). A good work out for the legs. It was great to see all the different contours/shapes/colours around it.  We were pleased to finish the walk though.
There is no doubt that the red dust gets everywhere. Just the start of it for us. Perhaps some cleaning to be done when we stay in Alice Springs.  We are living in our boots. Might as well have just 1 very dirty pair of shoes!
Tomorrow, we will visit Kata Juta (The Olgas).
Check out Facebook for photos (if you can).😀