Uluru-Alice Springs Trip

Yesterday I just got back from Alice Springs onboard the Gahn. The trip lasted 20 hours and i only managed to get little sleep along the way. Didn't slept that much when the train was stopping and moving slowly between Tarcoola and Port Augusta to allow bigger frieght trains right of way. After that when the train was on its way continously to Adelaide and I managed to get some sleep.

My holiday started last week on the 22nd of September where I went to my friend's place to sleep. The next morning, (23rd September) all of us went out early from their apartment in East Terrace and proceed to the Wayward bus office at Waymouth street to begin the journey up north. Took a while though to get out of Adelaide since we have to wait for 2 ppl who just arrive in Adelaide by train onboard the Indian Pacific at Weswick station. After that we head north to the Barbossa valley, to Clare and onward to Quarn, a small town where we spend the night. Along the journey can see fields of canola in bright yellow, had to pay AU3 to taste wine at a winery (I thought it was free? When I went to Barbossa it was free... anyway more reason to taste ALOT), the driver made wrong turning several times (he was flown in from the NT, but oh well), and lastly at night had dinner and a drink at the local pub!

Next day (24th) left Quarn early to go Port Augusta to refuel. The modified truck-turned-to-bus is very very gas guzlling. After that we head towards the Arid lands botanic garden which we walked around for a while. The funny thing was we thought it was ok to walk outside w/o a sweater but when the wind blew we quickly wore them. After the arid lands botanic garden it was on to Woomera to see rockets and to stock up on food. Too bad they never sold any rockets. We continued our journey up towards Coober Pedy where we visit an opal mine in the heart of the city which has opals in the bottom level (the town is full of them) and slept underground in a dugout. NEVER NEVER LET ANYONE WHO SNORES SHARE THE SAME ROOM WITH YOU! Had a HUGE pizza at the local pizzaria which taste very very good.

The third day (25th) we left the Coober Pedy dugout to head for the Breakaways and the dog fence. Very desert like conditions at the area, but funny it was beginning to rain when we visited that area. Would look fantastic if it was sunny. We then head towards Erlunda (correct spelling?) in the Northen Territory to meet up with another bus from Alice Springs to continue on to Uluru! Had a fantastic sunset from the campgrounds with more ppl looking at the Rock than at the actual sunset. Spend the night at the campgrounds in a swag on the ground while looking at the stars while lying down. Spotted about 3-4 shooting stars that night.

The fouth day (24th) we head towards the Uluru-Kata Tjuta national park to view the sunrise. I can tell you the sunrise is crazy with loads of ppl at the same spot. The most amazing are those 5-star tours which serve wine during the sunrise! After watching the sunrise a short stop by the visitor centre to see the aboriginal culture and to buy some sourvenies (magnets and such). We then head off to Uluru again, this time stopping at the climbing area for those who wish to climb and for those who wish to do the base walk. I did not climb the Rock simply because I have not climbed any mountains or hills before and feel a bit guilty while doing it. I should had known that the base walk around Uluru was a whopping 9.4 km coz it was so far to walk 1 round! Anyway get to walk with 1 girl from Korea who did not followed her friend up :P So both paths had its reward.....

After Uluru it was to camp to rest for a while. Then we head towards Kata Tjuta. We walked around 5km that day through very difficult terrain with losse rocks and steep incline. Most of us walked towards the 2nd and most breathaking lookout point before we decided to walk back. My friends continue on to circle Kata Tjuta. Taking a slow walk back is alot better to actually see what we had miss first time.

At night we settle in for the night in our swags (some opted for tents) for the next morning. Very tiresome day and I can't believe I walked so far...

The fifth day (27th) we woke up a bit late to head to Uluru for a short guided tour (we already saw sunrise yesterday). The climb was closed today due to strong winds i guess. After that we head out of the Uluru area to King's Canyon. Stopped along the way to Mt. Ebenenze (a truck stop, not a mountain) to buy more souveniers. Once we reached King's creek station we rest for a while before heading to King's Canyon nearby. Got the option to ride in a helicopter at King's creek but my friends are not up to it coz it is so expensive!! Maybe I should have went myself...

At King's Canyon I did the valley walk instead of the rim walk for the same reasons as the Uluru, the path is demanding for me.

The 6th day (28th)we leave King's creek station onward to Alice Springs!! On the way we stopped by at Rainbow valley (actually, more like fly valley) and to see the singing dingo, which unfortunately is having a holiday. Reached Alice Springs about 4-5pm. At night we hang out at a saloon type restaurant for dinner and some beer. I only had 1 glass of beer coz tommorow we need to leave early for the Gahn and because I am with 2 Korean girls (from our group) who don't drink AT ALL. My friends on the other hand was with the 2 Japanese girls (also from our group) and they were drinking all night.

Last day of the trip to Alice Springs, we had lunch at the train station and departed Alice Springs at around 12.30pm. After that it was a long journey back home.

So how much beer did I drink during the trip?
1 glass at Quarn
1 bottle at Coober Pedy
5 cans of beer during the days at Uluru and King's canyon
1 glass at Alice Springs

The 1 bottle at Coober Pedy was only 375 ml, but it has 14.7% of alkohol and I can feel how high it can get. My friends were surprised I drank the entire bottle wayyy faster than them (hey, I rarely drink, how was I supposed to know I should not be drinking so fast?).