Thursday 19 July – Woke this morning to the sound of roosters crowing!  When Grant went out of the van he discovered emu footprints going across behind our van and also between our car and our van, so there must be a bit of wildlife around.

We left the park at about 9.15 after filling up with petrol, and travelled about an hour before we turned left off the Stuart Highway and pointed our noses towards Uluru.  About halfway along the road to the Rock we stopped at a lookout to take in the great view of Mt Connor, which apparently many people mistake for Uluru.  We took some photos there, then crossed the road and scaled a steep red sandhill to see what was on the other side.  There were no signposts or anything, but there were a couple of short posts indicating a pathway to take.  What a surprise when we reached the top.  There was a massive salt pan below, covering quite a large area – totally unexpected.

After catching glimpses of the Rock as we neared our destination, we arrived at Yulara Resort a bit after 2pm and set up.  It is a massive complex, and we have found the staff we have come across to be really friendly.  We’ve booked in here for three nights, as there are things to do that will take me longer than perhaps the average person – like the ten kilometre walk around the Rock and a similar walk at the Olgas (Kata Tjuta), about 40 km away.  After setting the van up we went to the shopping centre and found the money machine, so reloaded the wallet, then as we wandered back to the carpark we came across a small group of aboriginal men performing.  We didn’t stay long there, but boy! the fellow demonstrating the didgeridoo was brilliant.

From there we drove 6km towards Uluru (the resort is about 20 km from the actual Rock) to the entrance to the Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park to obtain our entry permit ($25 per head for a three day pass) the 3 day pass was the shortest you could buy.  We then came back to the van for a cuppa and to rug up before heading to the sunset viewing area to watch the sun set over Ayers Rock.  This park was about 16 km away from here.

We thought we were early, arriving there about 35 minutes before sunset, but there were already hundreds there.  And it didn’t disappoint.  It was amazing – a wonderful sight just the Rock itself, but to see the changes in its colour as the sun gradually set was breathtaking.

Today has been a great day.

Today’s highlight – watching Uluru at sunset.

Today’s statistical wildlife observations – Living specimens: 4 wedge-tailed eagles (one feeding from carrion on the roadside), 2 hawks, 1 emu, 2 camels and 6 brumbies.

Roadkill:  1 wallaby, 1 fox and 1 cow.

Abandoned, burned out cars: 3.