In chase of the big red rocks-Uluru/Olgas/Kings Canyon

Well we have been in search of some big red rocks in the past week. First stop the majestic Uluru.The first sighting of Uluru is awe inspiring, the size of it blew us all away. We have both seen it before (remember that crazy trip Vee?) but we still found it amazing and interesting. We walked the base of the rock in two parts, first a ranger led walk that explained about the plant/animal life around the rock and the indigenous people's connection to it. We learned a lot by listening to this passionate ranger talk about the Mala people's (the local mob) spiritual connection to Uluru. The second walk was a smaller walk into one of the waterholes, to see the huge red cascading cliffs and some Aboriginal rock art.We even managed to see a Aboriginal didgeridoo and dancing show ( a bit touristy but the kids liked it). It was fascinating also to see some Aboriginal women doing dot painting at the cultural centre. The Aboriginal people are such a quiet people it seems voyeuristic to be watching them but I bought a small painting so they may be happy with that.We did a day trip to the Olga's while based at Yulara and walked through and around the magnificent rocks. The weather has been beautiful for walking, bright and sunny, although a bit cold at night for my liking! The kids did well to back up for another half day of walking, they know a few sugary snacks are awaiting at the top of the hill..Again, another majestic scene at the Olga's.Family news: Bridget lost one of her front teeth while at Uluru, was promptly visited by the bush fairy leaving a trail of red dust, you will see her toothy grin in the pics ( if she feels like smiling that day!)We stayed 2 nights at Kings Canyon and did the fantastic rim walk around the canyon. It was a great walk taking you on a steep climb up the canyon, lots of rock hopping on ancient stone and great views of the differing escarpments. I can see why it is such a popular walk and on the 'tourist hit list' with Uluru and the Olga's. We have been amazed at how lush and green it has been on all our walks, beautiful big palms, waterholes full and trees thriving. A ranger explained that the tourists have taken to calling this place the 'green centre', spurred on by recent years of good rainfall, especially in 2010 when the drought was broken. We are fortunate to be seeing the landscape in such a fertile and lush period.We have spent the last 2 nights at the glorious Palm Valley,a great camping spot with lots of green grass and a flowing creekbed on our doorstep. We did a great walk to view the ancient palms the place is renowned for. The girls got to know a few resident dingoes, that make a haunting howling throughout the night. Jules had just relayed a story from the book ' a Fortunate Life' about a mans tent being surrounded by a mob of dingoes, so the kids were scared silly of the skinny dingoes that sniffed around the campsite. We had a fascinating campfire talk with the resident ranger of Palm Valley, she was French,young and blonde, Jules asked lots of questions...!!!Tomorrow we are going to polish off a few gorges in the west Macdonell Ranges and then the big drive up the centre towards the Top End....love from the nomads...

Alice Springs-the Red Centre

We are excited to make it to the centre of Australia, Alice Springs, a bit of a milestone in the journey. We had a couple of overnight stops after Coober Pedy, the most memorable being Rainbow Valley Conservation Park, great camping up close to the escarpment, watching the changing colors with the light.The girls have taken to putting up their own tent and taking themselves off for small walks, very independent campers and explorers.Alice Springs is a great place with a diverse community, lots of travellers and Aboriginal languages spoken.This is the first time the girls have seen Aboriginal people up close so they have lots of questions about them (some too complex too explain). The Macdonnell Ranges are a dramatic background to the town, it really is an amazing place to find in the middle of the desert.Today we visited the School of the Air, which was fascinating and educational, the girls loved learning abut the remote students virtual classrooms, much improved now of course with the internet and webcams. Tomorrow we are off to visit the old Telegraph Station which is how Alice Springs originated.The weather is warm and sunny during the day but down to freezing overnight (lucky Jules had the foresight to pack his old hiking thermals for me, I won't be posting a picture of that, not a good look).Next stop is Uluru via the Macdonnell Ranges. Lots of love from the intrepid travellers....By the way for anyone wanting to make a comment we have flicked a magic switch so you don't have to go through the process of giving your life story to Google and signing up to gmail. It should be easier to comment now if you so desire....

Coober Pedy-Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day to all the lovely Mum's out there, especially Pam and Joan. Well here we are for a dusty old Mother's day in the post-apocalyptic landscape of Coober Pedy. We went on an underground mine tour this morning, saw an underground house (I think my claustrophobic side came out in the cramped conditions) and the kids dug around for some souvenir type opals. Not a blade of grass in sight, the main street is very sparse and most shops look shut, although some of them are underground so it's hard to tell. The weather is warm, not too hot, although I'd hate to be here in summer when the temps reach the high 40's. We are definitely on the tourist trail now, all the grey nomads and assorted other types are heading on the same route we are, straight up the middle. Till next time.... Book review: Have just finished reading Stephanie Alexander's new book 'A Cooks Life', interesting and frank woman and of course lots of delicious foodie descriptions. Am now beginning to read a fiction book, ' A Visit from the Goon Squad'-great so far (Bec, promise to return with only a sprinkle of red dust:)

Chambers Gorge, Lake Eyre

We have been out of range for a few days now, so this post is a bit of a backtrack. Stayed two nights at Chambers Gorge 2hrs north of Flinders Ranges. The kids were happy to find a small waterhole they could splash in. We saw our first Aboriginal rock art drawings on the cave in the gorge. This was quite amazing, examples of early rock art, quite rudimentary and exciting to be able to get up close to see ( Sarah my archaeologist sister-in-law may correct me if I'm wrong here?!)We then drove further into the wide open dusty plains to the very unremarkable town of Marree. We are really getting out into the desert now, petrol prices are sky high and basic supplies are double the price, no gourmet cooking in these parts! Despite being an unremarkable town, lot's of people were based there for a scenic flight over Lake Eyre.We were originally going to cross the Simpson Desert, leaving our trailer at Marree, but decided that adventure may have to wait for a separate boys only 4wd expedition.We drove a few hours from Marree and were excited to see the southern tip of Lake Eyre shimmering with loads of water and the famous salt plains on the edge.We have just arrived in the barren town of Coober Pedy, will post more tomorrow, after we've had a look around...I'll see if someone can make me a skinny latte for Mother's Day....

Flinders Ranges-Wilpena Pound..Bridget turns 7

Hi there, We are now in Flinders Ranges at Wilpena Pound. It's a busy place, lots of travellers, we've given up trying to keep clean, so we are looking like outback bushwackers already, with all the red dirt. We have been on some nice walks, the kids made it all the way up Mt Ohlsen Bagge, a good 4hr climb. Did another shorter walk today and looked into Wilpena pound, amazing landscape and ranges, great rocks and cliffs and fascinating ancient place.The kids liked learning about the Aboriginal animal tales of the area. It's our third night here, so we will head off to the Gammon Ranges tomorrow, a few hours north.Lots of wildlife to be seen around the campsite, emus, kangaroos, birds etc ( they are used to being fed by the campers)It was Bridget's 7th birthday yesterday, Jules even managed to make a chocolate cake in the camp oven. The kids took one bite and declared it 'smoky' and ate the smarties off the top, not quite outback kids yet...

Archeologists in the making at red banks CP

Bush Babes

She's red and dusty out here, Burra, 4th May

Well we have reached the town of Burra today, we really feel like we are getting into the outback now. Our first night of national park camping, not a person in sight, red dust everywhere and a fly up my nose as I try and drink tea and write this post. It's also getting warmer, more of a desert temp, although I'm sure it will still be double Kathmandi jacket weather tonight as the temp drops suddenly before nightfall. The kids got a bit of a thrill today as we had to drive the car onto a barge to cross the Murray river at a place called Cadel. We saw our first mob of foreign speaking backpackers, so it's mostly travellers from here on end. The one finger wave from the steering wheel is a sign we are moving into outback territory. We are going to try and make it to the southern Flinders Ranges in the next couple of days. The big drawcard there is Wilpena Pound. Interesting trivia : my I-phone changes to local time automatically, Adelaide is 30mins behind.How cool is that or creepy depending on your point of view? Our Apple devices have served us well so far (not that they need more free plugs!) Till next time...

Loxton, S.A

We made it across the border into S.A.yesterday and ended up staying 2 nights at Loxton, just over the border on the Murray River. The kids thought it was great fun going through the quarantine station and having our veggies taken off us ( we thought it was just fruit). We've had mild,sunny days and cool nights and the Murray River is flowing very high. Did a bit of 4wding through the Big Desert National Park from Nhil to Murrayville. The kids were excited to have their first campfire, complete with marshmallows of course.Alice: we walked up a big red hill and we saw lots of red dust. There was a good view of the Murray river at the top.Bridget: I saw a kookaburra come into our kitchen and he gave Mummy a fright because he had a big beak.Heading tomorrow to Burra, a small mining town, only 3hrs drive away, yippee..

A Single Step...Day 1..May 1st

The Macca-Myers finally hit the road, after a delayed start, on 1st May. We are sad and excited to leave all at once, but buoyed by all the support and well wishes for our trip. Julian has been the chief organizer, personal carer in the last week so big thanks to him for getting the family on the road. Day one, after a few last minute jobs, left at lunchtime, drove five hours NW and ended up at the Dimboola cravan park for the night. Heavy rain and some rumbling stomachs in the back seat meant we didn't quite make it to our original destination of Little Desert National Park. Still we enjoyed eating Oreos in the camp kitchen and a shower the next morning. Tomorrow we cross the border into S.A. towards the town of Loxton and inching towards our first major stop-Flinders Ranges. Kids are enthusiastic about doing their schoolwork in the back seat so far. Kylie has seat up a 1m x 1m home office in the front seat, mags, snacks, IPad and of course enjoying the scenery! Over and out...