The Red Centre

Judy, Shane, Lorraine, Izumi and Lee ventured into the Red Centre. Braving the Summer temperatures, thunder, lightening and dust storms to have a great experience.

We arrived at the Sails resort just after lunch and immediately set about deciding what we were going to do. The first choice was a trip to Kata Tjuta (formerly “The Olgas”) for a walk into the canyon and a view of the “rocks” at Sunset. It was a very hot day, so we loaded up with water, changed into something a little more comfortable and ventured out into the desert (in an air-conditioned coach of course). Kata Tjuta was spectacular and the desert quite beautiful with the red sand and the greenness of the vegetation.

The next day it was the sunrise at Uluru (formerly Ayers’ Rock). This meant meeting the bus at 4:45 am. It was cloudy on the horizon, so unfortunately we didn’t get the deluxe sunrise. But, it was worth the trip nonetheless. Lee was dead keen to climb the rock despite the objections of the local Aborigines. In the end though he didn’t have to worry about the moral dilemma as the climb was closed due to high wind. He and Izumi decided to join Shane and Judy for the 9.4km walk around the base of the rock. Lorraine decided to stay closer in and we were to meet her at the Cultural Centre.

The walk was very interesting and shows a totally different perspective the normal view of Uluru. There were stands of trees and water holes. Some of the areas are fenced off sacred sites and are not to be photographed. The gang completed the walk after just over 2 hours. Lee was disappointed to find the climb still closed. This time due to high temperature (>36C).

We found Lorraine back at the Cultural Centre. She had quite the adventure. Convinced she was to die in the desert alone during the 2km walk from Uluru she stumbled into the centre thirsty and delirious and promptly found the kiosk. The rest of us thought the 2km was pretty long as well and had nagging doubts that we’d chosen the right track. However, unlike earlier explorers we made it back.

The rest of the afternoon was spent by the pool and catching up on some of the sleep missed by the very early rise.

That evening it was “Dinner Under the Stars”. We were taken out into the desert just before sunset. On a small rise we could see both Uluru and Kata Tjuta. It was made even more special with the glass of champagne in our hands. The dinner was almost called off as just before we arrived a mini tornado ripped through the area. We found out later that pretty much every wine glass was broken and cutlery was strewn across the desert. However, the call of the champagne was stronger.

Dinner was exciting. We listened to the didgeridoo-cum-comedian as we watched lightening display over Kata Tjuta. That Lightening display so arrived, with the wind and rain and we quickly abandoned the scene. Luckily we were the first table to go to the buffet and had just finished eating. I think it can be safely said that we will all remember that night.

Author: Shane Edwards