Uluru

I am totally impressed with the rock and the way the crowds of visitors are controlled so that damage to the environment is minimised. Phil was here in about 1969 with some mates and they camped at the base of the rock. I was here in 1972 and there was little infrastructure here then either. Now visitors are housed at Yulara, there is a combined entrance fee to Uluru and Kata Tjuta, there is a fantastic cultural centre, you have to exit the park by a designated time, parking is more or less under control although people still stop to take photos in odd spots, the climb itself is discouraged for cultural reasons and closed altogether when conditions are dangerous (it was closed this afternoon when it was too windy). the only thing lacking at both Uluru and Kata Tjuta are information boards about the geology.

We (and hundreds of other tourists, I'm not joking) sent to see the sunset colour on Uluru last night and it happened to coincide with a moonrise as well. And then today we hired bikes and rode around the rock on the walking track. We had both forgotten just how immense Uluru is.

6.17 p.m.

6.49 p.m.

7.06 p.m.

7.18 p.m.

Done with the cliche. Now for the interesting stuff. There is a lot to see and do at Uluru.

We ate our sandwiches while we were entertained by the climbers trying to descend.

It's a great way to circumnavigate Uluru.

Tawny Frogmouths gave away their position by hooting quietly.

These marvellous seats have been installed at both Kata Tjuta and Uluru.

Desert Sheoaks of various ages.

Just mucking around with reflections in our kettle. Uluru in the background.

Uluru and Kata Tjuta

This place will always be special to us because while we were here our new grandson, Angus, was born.