Around Australia with Mini Me

[Mad Aussie]

Got a call from Graeme last night and they are in Australia's 'Red Centre' ... in fact ... they are camped beside Ayre's Rock for the next few days! He said it's amazing.

There are lots of photos to look through so I'll get started on catching us all up.

Combo water hole where the song Waltzing Matilda was inspired.


Dean getting some Bogan (Redneck) training from his Dad!


Inside the Walkabout Creek Hotel from Croc Dundee


Sure is red out here between Longreach and Mt Isa ...


Grasshoppers in flight near the Northern Territory border ...


Sunset at Tobermorey Station .... a huge 'Ranch' for you North Americans


Hows this for an Ant Hill?? I'm not kidding either ... this really is a big Ant Hill. You see many of them out this way but most are around the height of the average man or so.

[Mad Aussie]

An idea of the typical scene out here ...



The roads are so corrugated in places that the lights shook loose from the Toyota Hilux. Graeme is taping them back in here!


This marks the highest point in their journey so far. This is just outside Alice Springs and is only around 700 - 800 metres in Elevation from memory. Considering the thousands of kilometers traveled already it gives you an idea of how flat this country is out there!


Family shot at the Tropic of Capricorn marker just outside 'Alice'



That's it for now but we should see some more within a few days of 'The Rock' (Ayres Rock) and then sooner after the Olga Mts and other cool things in the heart of Australia.

[dante]

Captures the remoteness pretty well for sure! Not unlike Northern Canada, except that there's more pine trees up there
Have been in Sydney, but would love to see the 'real' Australia someday.

[Mad Aussie]

Only one comment on the last set of photos from Graeme and Mandy. I thought some of those would have been of interest.

4wding around N'Dhala Gorge National Park






One of the waterholes in the area



Aboriginal rock art

[Mad Aussie]

Alice Springs ... in the center of Australia


Fossicking spoils ... Garnets


Dean took this shot of Graeme and Mandy at Corroboree Rock ... and if you look closely ... Graeme has his camera out and is taking the next shot ... of Dean taking the this photo.



Almost at Ayres Rock (Uluru) ... this is Mt Connor which gets mistaken for Ayres Rock sometimes ...

[Mad Aussie]

Graeme and Mandy and Dean are staying at Ayres Rock for a few nights as I type ... leaving tomorrow I think.

This is Ayres Rock from the caravan/camping area


As the sun sets on the rock it lights up each evening ...


Various views as they walk around the rock

[Bambi]

this is great!! thanks to you and your brother for sharing these. do they have to be careful of wildlife?

[Marko]

Wow what a great journey! Shot 6 post 24 - Total keeper!

[Mad Aussie]

Thanks Marko. It sure is an awesome journey and they are only a small way through it really.

this is great!! thanks to you and your brother for sharing these. do they have to be careful of wildlife?

Thanks Bambi.
They do have to be wary of wildlife but have had no real issues. There was that scorpion but they aren't that dangerous here in Aussie.
You don't want a roo coming your windscreen though, especially if it lives, panics, and claws you and the car to death.
Dingo's are best avoided although usually not much of an issue.
And of course there are the snakes. But if you watch for them, and give them room to move away they almost always will.


Graeme called last light all excited. Ayres Rock has been closed during their visit. This means no climbing it. This is common now due to Aboriginal pressure and they can close it for so many reasons. impending weather or some cultural reason for instance. So it hardly gets opened to climbing. Yesterday it was opened for a short amount of time and Graeme got the chance to climb it. Hours later, when he rung me, he said his chest was still sore from the effort and his legs were still jelly! He said it was an amazingly hard, steep climb, and you often were pulling yourself up using the chain and using the posts as supports for your feet. I didn't realize it was that tough!

[Hillbillygirl]

Amazing trek that your sharing with us MA. Have to give thanks to you and your Kinfolk for taking us along on their adventure. And do please pass along the thanks to them, and wish them a safe journey, from all of us.
Keep up the good work, lovin' it.