Four Day Outback Adventure

Yes everyone I did it! I went into the Australian outback! This is one of those places in Australia that is a bit expensive to get to, so up until I booked it I waffled as to whether or not it was worth spending the money. For perspective, I'm pretty sure my ten day trip to Sydney cost the same as this four day one. But for the record, it completely was worth it! Such a unique experience.

I asked around and found that Mulgas Tours was pretty universally recommended, so I booked a three day, 2 night, outback camping adventure. On either side of this tour I had a small amount of time in Alice Springs.

Day 1: Arrival

I flew into Alice Springs, and got into the little desert town in late afternoon. I spent this time primarily stocking up on things I had left at home, and also on water (sooo much water).

Alice Springs kind of reminds me of Radiator Springs from Cars, it's got that same lazy, tumbleweed feel to it. There's a "river" that runs through the middle of town. The air quotes are necessary because about 95% of the time the Todd River is dried up. The locals say that if you see the river flow three times then you are considered a local. Unfortunately, it did not oblige while I was there, so I am officially just a visitor.

The hostel I stayed at had a bunch of hammocks out back, so I shook off the wariness of travelling with a book in a hammock. I missed the memo that everything closes super early in town, so by the time I was hungry, the only thing open was McDonalds. Ah well, I'm on vacation right.

Day 2: Tour Begins!/Uluru/Field of Lights (it was a busy day!)

Mount Connor

My Mulgas' tour guide Rachel picked me up right out front of my Hostel, bright and early, to get ready for the long drive out to Uluru.

Before I arrived, I was under the impression that Uluru was just outside of town. Turns out it is more like 500 km, so we had a bit of a road trip ahead of us. When we were about an hour and a half into the trip we saw this (see picture). 

This is not in fact the iconic Uluru. This is Mount Connor, or "fooluru" as our tour guide Rachel calls it.

Bonnie and Me

Just after Mt Connor we were dropped off at a camel farm to entertain ourselves while Rachel went to pickup the rest of our group (22 in total). That was just enough time to bond with my new friend Bonnie the Camel.

With the tour bus now full we continued to the main event. Uluru.

Uluru essentially a large, flat mountain in the middle of the outback. It carries quite a lot of significance for the Aboriginal people of Northern Territory.

Uluru at sun sets

Currently there is controversy surrounding Uluru, because of the issue of tourists climbing it. The reason why this is so strongly discouraged is because the various routes up Uluru are significant to specific aboriginal ceremonies. For example one could be a becoming a man ceremony, another for becoming a woman, etc. And these are meant to be kept completely secret except for the people involved in the ceremony. So, when people who are not part of the tribe see these sacred places, it is sharing some of the deepest secrets of the aboriginal people without their consent. I personally did not climb, but there were unfortunately still a steady stream of people heading up the side.

As an alternative to climbing, we were able to do a base walk around Uluru. It was still quite spectacular. One of the most surprising parts was how many plants there were. I don't know about you, but when I think outback, I think of nothing but red dirt for as far as the eye can see.

From there we went to a lookout spot to take in Uluru at sunset. It was quite cool to see how much the rock changed colour. From a vibrant red/orange to a purple colour. This was also an opportunity for the group to get to know each other a bit more. And as you can see by the picture, we all got along quite well.

Me and Julianna from Brazil

After dinner, Julianna (Brazil), Emily (Melbourne), and I took a shuttle to go see a local art exhibit that was going on called "Field of Lights". Click here for a brochure explaining the exhibit in full. It was essentially thousands and thousands of hand blown glass with LEDs inside to give the illusion of a field of flowers. And it was spectacular. Particularly because the milky way was out when we went, so the sky looked like the inside of a planetarium. I've never seen something so breathtaking before. Unfortunately the stars didn't show up very well on my camera, but just try to imagine it.

This tour was a "roughing it" tour, no glamping to be found. So after dinner we set up "swags" (sacks that go over your sleeping bag to keep you warm) around the fire, and went to sleep right under the stars. Just like a cowboy



Day 3: Kata Tjuta (Aka Valley of the Wind)

Day two began with waking up at 5AM to catch the beautiful sunrise over Uluru. This may be the first time ever, that the pictures actually do the real thing justice. We all huddled up with each other in our sleeping bags, and watched the sunrise over the outback. A perfect start. Thank goodness all my friends on this trip were also morning people so it was not too painful getting up so early.
The pictures we got were too good, so I'm going to go ahead and fill the next little bit with pictures (hope you don't mind).

Julianna

Me :) 

Emily

Okay, enough ogling you guys, back to the adventure! 

Valley of Wind

Day two was all about seeing the Valley of the Wind. For all you anime fans, I sadly did not see Nausicaa there. But it did look something like the movie! Here's me doing my best impression of the movie (for those who haven't seen it, Nausicca flies around the valley of the wind on a hang glider)

The valley of wind is a series of rounded domes with 36 peaks or "heads". The areas is known as "many heads" by the aboriginals, (anything above three is known as "many").

This is another sacred place to the aboriginals with many legends and stories surrounding the mountains. Most of which are kept secret within the aboriginal tribes. 

At the top of the hike we were all given the traditional Austrlian tea cookies (Anzac Biscuits), and left to take in the many views.

The rest of day two was spent relaxing by the campfire and taking in the stars. I feel like when I get back to Canada I need to spend more time in remote places, I could have stared at those stars for many more nights than we got. 

Day 4: Kings Canyon Rim Walk

I'm not sure that I mentioned this earlier, but currently all my friends in Melbourne are getting hit with the next wave of flu season. Right before I left I visited my sick friend, and threw caution to the wind by hugging her. So needless to say I was getting steadily more and more ill throughout the trip (sleeping outside in 0 degree weather is apparently NOT how you get over an illness!).

So by day three I was looking a bit like death. To the point where Rachel our tour guide made me promise not to pass out on the 7 km hike. Which I thankfully held to.

Top of Heart Attack Hill

The beginning of our hike was a nice little thing called "heart attack hill". Well if that doesn't just set the mood I'm not sure what will. The rule of heart attack hill, is you're not allowed to have a heart attack until you reach the top because that's where the defibrillator is, and Rachel was not about to run up the side of a mountain, even if it is to save your life. Fair.

Thankfully we started the hike with the worst of it. The rest of the rim walk was decently flat and quite pleasant. 

There were a few other lookouts, but none quite as stunning as the first. 

Towards the end of the hike is a memorial to Zoe Woolmar. She was a backpacker who lost her life when she slipped and fell attempting to take a photo at the edge of the canyon. I considered not including this story in the blog, because I like to keep this a cheerful place. But the story and the details (which I will not include here) have really caused me to pause. 

I am a pretty avid rule follower when it comes to safety. I like to do daring things, but only in controlled environments. And in those situations I look to the guide to know what is safe and what is not. In Zoe's case she was listening to the guide and yet still experienced tragedy. I often take for granted how easy it is for life to be taken, and I think Zoe's story is an important reminder to always be discerning for yourself what is safe, and weighing the risk/reward. I don't want to live life in fear, or stop from having fun. But I do and will continue taking safety seriously, because Zoe's story doesn't need to be repeated.

Thankfully in our group, we all took this story to heart and were able to have a fun tour without taking unnecessary risks. 

Kings Canyon was the last stop on our tour. We headed back to camp to pack up, and then half of us were headed back to Alice Springs; while the others were headed to "Bush Camp". A one night, no running water, no toilets, no electricity camp. As fun as that sounds, I rather enjoyed my shower when we got back to Alice.

A couple who had been on the tour were staying at the same hostel as me, so we went out for dinner together and got in one last campfire chat before heading to bed. 

I feel like this trip was so transformation. I feel so relaxed and rejuvenated despite it being a pretty physical trip. I think just being so surrounded by such majestic and magnificent natural wonders, it really makes you realize how small you are. It puts all your trivial worries into perspective. I am so grateful that I live in a world that continuously takes my breath away. Thank God our creator is such an artist!!

I hope you guys enjoyed a little wildness. Next up is New Zealand!! I get back around October 11, so watch for it October 12 or 13 :) 

Until next time!

Shannon