Red Centre

Monday 24.02.2020: On this day there are three notable events:

1. We have been on the road for a month

2. We have crossed the 5,000 km mark

3. We are crossing the border between South Australia and the Northern Territory

Otherwise, 734 km of boring driving without any significant incidents.

There is only one caravan park, which, contrary to prognosis, is quite empty, so we easily find a spot.

In the evening, we go to the National Park for sunset at Ayers Rock (Uluru).

The next morning, we have to get up at 5:30 am and go back to the park at Uluru for sunrise, without having breakfast. After the sun rises, the parking lot empties, but we stay and have breakfast with the mountain in the background. Then we take the Base Walk around Ayers Rock, 10.6 km. We start at 8:00 am at 23 degrees and return at 11:00 am. The temperature reaches 32 degrees, and the walk is closed. The temperature continues to rise to 39 degrees, so we spend the afternoon by the pool. In the evening, we go to the Olgas (Kata Tjuta) for sunset.

The next morning we have to get up even earlier because the way to the Olgas is longer, 56 km, for the sunrise. Breakfast is postponed because we want to do the hike to the Valley of the Winds first. It's a very challenging rocky path, 4.4 km to the second lookout, the Karingana. Luckily, the name keeps its promise, it's very windy, which makes it slightly easier.

We decide to extend our stay by one day because we need a break, so we spend the afternoon by the pool again.

Thursday 27.02.2020: We leave Uluru and the Olgas relatively early in the morning and head to Alice Springs, about 450 km at nearly 40 degrees, good thing we have air conditioning. Since we can only drive at 110 kilometers per hour, it takes a long time. The landscape is very diverse, ranging from desert to bushland. In Alice Springs, the police are very present due to high unemployment among the indigenous population. We urgently needed beer and wine. So, off to the liquor store. Of course, police first. Hans-Werner had to show his ID and was asked where he plans to drink the alcohol he's buying here. When paying, Rotraut's driver's license was scanned as well.

Friday 28.02.2020: We leave Alice Springs heading towards the east coast. Just before Tennant Creek, we come across the Devils Marbles.

Saturday 29.02.2020: We leave the Stuart Highway behind and continue east on the Barkley Highway towards Mount Isa.

Sunday 01.03.2020: In Cloncurry, we visit the Chinaman Creek Dam. The local population is currently hosting a breakfast to which we are invited. We spend the night in Croydon.

Monday 02.03.2020: Our final major stop, we arrive in Wonga Beach in the evening, just before the Daintree Rainforest.