The Big Lap - minus Qld!

We spent four nights at Yulara Resort near Ayers Rock (Uluru). After setting up the van we went for a walk around the resort and did some shopping. It’s quite warm during the days with 24-28 degrees, but chilly at night down to 8 degrees. In the morning we drove the 10km to Ayers Rock and entered the National Park.   sunset colours The locals ask that you don’t climb the rock as it is sacred to them. This didn’t stop the busloads of Asians from climbing and making fools of themselves on all fours on the rock. We went for a walk around the base of the rock and were amazed by the sheer size and geology of the rock. There are many holes and caves where the water has eroded the rock away, leaving black scars along the rock.  Finally found a wave!  In the afternoon we went to the ishop (information desk) and booked a trip to the Field of Light for that night.  The Field of Light is an artist’s installation where he has arranged...

We left Port Augusta and headed north up the Stuart Highway towards Darwin. Our first stop was at Woomera. Woomera was once the main test site for missiles and rockets of the Australian and British armed forces. It still is an experimental test site run by the air force, but not on the same scale as the late 20 th Century. At one time there were over 12000 residents of Woomera, mainly Australian, British and American armed forces and their families. Now it is like a ghost town. We set up camp then went for a walk into town. It felt like we were on a movie set with the streets and houses set up with military organisation, but empty of people. Only about 400 people live in Woomera now. We visited the Woomera museum which was very interesting and told the story of the importance of the work done at Woomera in the past. Most missiles developed here were for military use but the first Australian satellite was also launched from here in the 1970’s. Woomera also played an important...