The Red Centre Way,NT. Territory Trails Podtours ****4 stars

Posted on June 5, 2012 by Sconquest

Tempted to Explore More Or Even Go Offroad?

What a brilliant idea! ABC Radio Alice Springs has a series of podcasts for travelling around the Northern Territory so there’s plenty more to explore. The podcasts cover Kakadu National Park, Litchfield National Park, Darwin to Katherine in the Top End of the Northern Territory and The Red Centre Way and the West MacDonnell National Park in Central Australia. Each hour long podcast includes a video, or mp3 file with several stops along the way and can be downloaded here. Take the time to check out the magnificent photogallery for The Red Centre Way and the Top End too.

The Red Centre Way ‘passes through some of the most spectacular desert country in Australia combining 4WDing,  bushwalking, star gazing and camping and meeting traditional owners, park rangers, tourists and locals’. The podtour starts at Alice Springs Desert Park and follows Larapinta Drive to Palm Valley, Hermannsburg and Gosses Bluff then the 4WD Mereenie Loop Road to Kings Canyon, onto Uluru and back to Alice Springs with a 4WD road trip to Rainbow Valley. There’s more information and a map here although you may need a Mereenie Loop permit and a more detailed Hema Red Centre Map.

SUCH TEMPTATION!

Posted in 4WD, Alice Springs, Ayers Rock, Kata Tjuta, Kings Canyon, National Parks, Simpsons Gap, Standley Chasm, The Olgas, Top End, Uluru, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, NT. Working Together.

Posted on June 3, 2012 by Sconquest

Palya! Welcome to Anangu Land            Uluru–Kata Tjuta National Park

Park-aku nintiringanyi     Learning about the park – both ways

Ananguku ngura nyangatja, Anangu Tjukurpa tjutatjara.
This is an Aboriginal place with much Anangu law.

Nganana panya Tjukurpa nyanga palula tjana-languru kulini.
We hear this law from others who know.

Kamilu, tjamulu tjana panya tjukurpa kunpu,
Our grandmothers and grandfathers

kanyiningi ara kunpu kanyiningi,
held the law strongly, and held our culture strongly,

munuya Anangu tjuta kunpu nyinangi.
and they lived strongly and happily.

Ka kuwari nyanga nganana tjungu nyinanyi piranpa tjuta munu maru tjuta.
Now we are living together, white people and black people.

Nganana tjungu waakaripai, piranpa munu maru palu purunypa.
We are working together, white and black, equal.

Uwankara Ulurula munu Kata Tjutala tjukaruru ngaranyi.
Everything at Uluru and Kata Tjuta still runs according to our law.

Text  from Australian Government Director of National Parks website.

Posted in Attractions, Ayers Rock, Kata Tjuta, National Parks, The Olgas, Uluru | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Central Australia, NT. The Scone Drought Continues.

Posted on May 30, 2012 by Sconquest

Northern Territory Round Up

Nobody for miles until we reach the airport where it’s teaming with passengers coming and going. Surprised to find their are direct flights from Cairns and Perth for the whistle stop Australia tours and it’s about 3 hrs to anywhere so it really is Central Australia. Here’s a map. We’re flying Virgin as I’m addicted to maps as well as rocks and I like an inflight map with my cheese and crackers. At Yulara I picked up the Journey Jottings Central Australia Map Journal with great drawings like the magnet above.

Sadly, the scone drought continues. Practicalities like a lack of dairy cattle, keeping cream refrigerated over long times and distances have not seen sweets as a priority. Pubs don’t tend to sell scones either and we all prefer a long cool drink on a hot day. Be sure to visit the Pioneer BYO BBQ at Yulara Resort, it’s fun to chew the fat (that means have a chat) while you cook your preferred slab of meat on the barbecues. Undeterred I had a lovely cheesecake at Carmichael’s Restaurant at Kings Canyon Resort and managed to get excellent coffee and cake at Gecko’s Cafe at Yulara as you can see. Surprisingly, the coffee has been good everywhere.

  

Whilst Yulara Resort has specials take the time to check your bill as it took four attempts to get ours fixed and we were still charged for videos we never watched. Everyone is in such a rush to be out for the sunset or sunrise that it’s easy to be caught out. It’s not the conversation you want at 6am on your last day before you leave. Although Yulara and Voyages Indigenous Tourism are owned and operated by the Indigenous Land Council, the local Anangu people are nowhere to be seen, not even at the Uluru-Kata Tjuta Cultural Centre or working at Voyages. No idea why, but it does seem strange.

  

Totally enjoyed the 1300 kilometres we’ve travelled between Alice Springs and Ayers Rock, all those kilometres we’ve walked everywhere and even the early risings but now it’s  time to head home into Sydney as the sunsets again. Where to next?

Posted in Alice Springs, Ayers Rock, Central Australia, Flight, Kata Tjuta, Kings Canyon, Maps, National Parks, Specials, The Olgas, Uluru | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Ayers Rock-Uluru, NT. A Monsterous Delight *****5 stars

Posted on May 29, 2012 by Sconquest

Face to Face Around the Base of Uluru

Heading back home today but certainly not before we’ve done the 10.6 km Base Walk around Ayers Rock-Uluru. It just means we have to be packed, have a hearty breakfast and manage to get to Ayers Rock before sunrise without losing my hat or  keys again! Who needs sleep when when you can doze on the plane? Just as well our passes to Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park are still valid so we scoot through the gates and head towards the Rock just as the sun rises. Here’s the Visitor’s Guide with all the info. Simply magical to watch the first rays of the sun bring Ayers Rock to life.  

Although most visitors park at the Mala Carpark and walk from there we decided to try the Kuniya Carpark on the southern side to minimise the time we were exposed to the heat and full sun, even now in the autumn. Walking briskly helps keep us warm as we watch the sunrise and the shadows disappear.

  

Uluru’s rock face changes at every turn and in every light. It has a character all of it’s own which works wonders on lively imaginations. Can you spot the dolphin head? The closer you are the more you seem to see or feel.

     

The Eastern Section of the Base Walk takes you a long way from the actual base and towards the road as it bypasses Taputji or the Little Ayers Rock Sacred Site. A strong wind comes up and blows straight into our faces making it hard to walk and we’re glad to be on flat ground and not up on the rock. After a rest at the peaceful Kantu Gorge we’re not surprised to see the climb is closed then horrified to see climbers who had obviously gone up early and were now struggling to get back down.

That’s the rather steep path going up directly behind the sign and not where you want to be in a strong wind, hanging onto a chain and post rail. Thank goodness for solid, red soil where all I have to do is hang onto my hat or walk backwards.

    

Extraordinary to contemplate what we see at Uluru as only a fraction of the actual rock. It’s like an iceberg where you only see the tip, except of course it’s sandstone. According to Geoscience Australia it’s about 5oo million years old and has been uplifted so the horizontal sandstone layers are now vertical instead, they look a bit like ribs. Ayers Rock is 345 metres high and 9.4 kilometres around the actual base.

  

A distinct advantage of starting at Kuniya walk is that the toilets at Mala Carpark are 2 km closer and a welcome stop before that last hour’s walk.  We criss cross paths with plenty of other early walkers we’ve seen along the way.

  

Fortunately, there’s still some remnants of shade along the last leg of the Lungkata Walk with secret grottos to entice us before the well earned seat by the tranquil Mutitjulu Waterhole where we marvel at the splendour of all we’ve seen and done in Central Australia.

  

Reluctantly, we turn back towards Yulara Resort for a coffee and a refreshing swim before heading to the Airport but are soon stopped by a biker. What can the matter be? A Thorny devil is in the middle of the road and refuses to budge. It cannot be coaxed but remains rooted to the spot and we have to drive on hoping it survives. Who can argue with such grim determination?

Posted in Ayers Rock, Bushwalk, Central Australia, National Parks, Uluru | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Kata Tjuta and Uluru, NT. CAVOK and a Bird’s Eye View.

Posted on May 28, 2012 by Sconquest

A Magnificent Sunset

CAVOK, That’s helicopter talk for good visibility and means a stunning view of Kata Tjuta-The Olgas and Uluru-Ayers Rock. Today, the ride with Ayers Rock Helicopters was smooth and gave fantastic views of the sunset from our Robinson Raven R44. In the morning, the sun would be right in your face so we were pleased to have such a great view and less issues with contrast. One passenger had a curious GoPro camera on a stick that could be mounted on helicopters, cars, boats or whatever to catch the action.

After walking through Kata Tjuta this morning it was wonderful to be able to see where we had just been from the air. See how they look and feel so very different as  you get right inside all the lumps and bumps of Kata Tjuta or all the way round the many faces of Uluru. Take the time, if you come this far and visit both. Often harder to get decent photos from a helicopter unless your sitting in the front, so just enjoy the ride and that glorious sunset as you hover in to land. Here’s how I went anyway.

Posted in Attractions, Ayers Rock, Central Australia, Flight, Kata Tjuta, National Parks | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Olgas-Kata Tjuta, NT. Exploring the Red Centre.

Posted on May 18, 2012 by Sconquest

Taking Time to Pause a While

 Still time before it’s too hot to visit Walpa Gorge where fortunately there’s plenty of welcome shade and only a short walk to the viewing platform at the end. My trusty compass is rather unnecessary here as there’s only one path in and out but it’s a special gift from family together with some trusty binoculars, so we’re well prepared. The walk takes about an hour return depending on how long you spend resting your bones on the benches and chatting to your fellow travellers who are from all over Australia today.

  

When it’s quiet, there’s a certain magic in just lying there and watching the clouds drift past and soaking up the space. It’s big, well huge actually, and impressive. Bits of conglomerate rock are laying about where they have broken off the gorge walls, like mini muffins or cake crumbs.

     Such a glorious sky!

  

Spot the people in the pictures and you’ll get an idea of the size of the gorge.

 

Reluctantly, we gather our thoughts and head back for a refreshing swim, siesta and a little contemplation over a coffee and cake at Yulara Resort. Still no scones anywhere about but it’s CAVOK so guess what we’re up to next. Can’t wait, it’s a helicopter ride at sunset over the Olgas and Ayers Rock!!!!

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River Cottage, UK. A Yummy Scone Recipe.

Posted on May 17, 2012 by Sconquest

At Last, a Recipe!

Dear Sconquest Followers,

My apologies for not including recipes before now. I have endeavoured to find the copyright and get permission for the Commonsense Cookery Scones and the popular Wizz in the Kitchen food processor scones but to no avail, my e-mails remain unanswered. Recently, I discovered the ABC River Cottage’s Everyday Series, I was so impressed I promptly bought the book. The Bread section is excellent and the concept of having a bread circle is so positive and embraces Sconquest’s philosophy  of sharing life’s simple pleasures with others. Recently, I visited my family armed with the Cookbook and the DVD which we enjoyed of an evening while we digested and pondered the next day’s possiblities. I found the Bread and the Preserves Book too which make wonderful gifts for people who like to cook. Guess what they’re getting for their birthdays? In Australia, they’re available at a reasonable price from Booktopia, Borders or there’s always Amazon.

        

So here’s the scone recipe from River Cottage’s Community Website which looks inviting with vanilla and double cream! YUM! There’s the option of using a food processor to rub the butter and flour etc. together. Thanks to River Cottage for their generosity in including a video from their Summer’s Here program, the recipe is not in my Everyday cookbook but may be in others. Don’t forget some scrumptious homemade jam! Mmmm..with Vanilla Tea!

Ingredients
  • 300g plain flour
  • 2 tsp baking powder
  • pinch of salt
  • 75g unsalted butter (at cool room temperature), cubed
  • 50g caster sugar
  • 1 egg
  • 120ml double cream
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract (optional)
  • milk, for glazing
Preheat the oven to 200C/gas 6 and lightly grease a baking sheet.
Sift the flour, baking powder and salt into a large bowl. Add the butter and rub in with your fingers until the mix resembles fine breadcrumbs. Alternatively, do this in a food processor before transferring the mixture to a bowl. Either way, then stir in the sugar.
Beat the egg and cream together, with the vanilla extract too, if you’re using it. Pour into the flour mixture and bring together lightly with your hands into a dough.
Turn out on to a lightly floured surface and knead very briefly to form a fairly smooth ball. Pat or gently roll the dough out to a thickness of about 4cm. Use a 6-7cm diameter cutter to stamp out scones from the dough.
Put them on the prepared baking sheet, brush the tops with a little milk, and bake for about 15 minutes until risen and golden.
Transfer to a wire rack to cool for a few minutes, then serve slightly warm.
Scones do not keep well so eat them up quickly!

During my recipe quest Taste.com were very helpful and suggested using their basic scone recipe for a food processor too. Here’s the basic recipe and a video too. Thanks.

How about an online Scone Circle or join River Cottage’s Community? Let me know if you liked the recipe and any variations you might have tried. I’m thinking Lavender Scones. Any takers?

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The Olgas, Kata Tjuta,NT. Just Addicted to Rocks.*****5stars

Posted on May 11, 2012 by Sconquest

A Winning Trifecta

What a wonderful combination, Kings Canyon, Ayers Rock-Uluru and the Olgas-Kata Tjuta. Why would you come all this way and miss seeing any of them? They are truly superb, uniquely different to each other and MASSIVE. Kings Canyon has you climbing up and exploring the canyon rim and the hidden Garden of Eden, Ayers Rock is a round trip either up or all around with enticing grottos and caves while the delightful Olgas captivate and draw you into the very heart of  the rocks. Is there a better reason to be continually up and out of bed before dawn?

Up even earlier today to drive the 50 km out to the Kata Tjuta from Yulara Resort at Ayers Rock before sunrise. Here’s the Visitors Guide for Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park with maps and info. There’s also a sunrise and sunset viewing platform in the dunes near Kata Tjuta for some great pictures. Fortunately, everything is well signposted for directions and information.

  

We just had a great time at the Valley of the Winds walking through the heaps of rock to the Karu Lookout firstly and then onto the Karingana Lookout with wonderful views across the valley and rock formations. Here’s it’s conglomerate so looks more like chocolate muffin mix and completely different to Uluru’s sandstone.

Obviously, just addicted to rocks!

    

So far we’ve been fortunate to have the benefit of the shade, especially in that last steep section up to the second lookout. hard not to keep going but it’s much more exposed so we turn back as we want to have time to enjoy Walpa Gorge as well.

Just have to keep looking back but then the valley’s gone. Strange to see there are plants growing on the top of them and looking like a hilltop courtyard. A creek and covered water station are welcome rest spots.

Are you convinced yet?

With such glorious skies and autumn sunshine we head back to the carpark and the short drive to Walpa Gorge. Expended plenty of energy but there’s not a scone in sight. Funny, how some of the rocks look like scones or even submarines, but perhaps that’s just the heat getting to me?

  

Posted in Bushwalk, Kata Tjuta, Kings Canyon, National Parks, Uluru | Tagged | 1 Comment

Ayers Rock, NT. To Climb or Not to Climb Uluru.

Posted on May 9, 2012 by Sconquest

Your Choice, Your Responsibility

Another early start at Ayers Rock this morning. Beautifully crisp, cool morning, just right for walking. If your considering walking around or climbing Ayers Rock here’s the visitors guide with maps for Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park. There are several walks to choose from and viewing platforms for sunrise and sunset. Whether you climb is your decision, there’s no-one to stop you unless it’s closed because it’s too dangerous, which it was today. And it’s STEEP!

  

Uluru Walking Tracks

Uluru base Walk 10.6 km full circuit, 3.5 hr
Liru Walk 4 km return (access track), 1.5 hr
Mala Walk to Kantju Gorge 2km return, 1.5 hr
Lungkata Walk 4 km return, 1.5 hr
Kuniya Walk to Mutitjulu Waterhole 1 km return, 30-45 min.

We opted for the Mala Walk from the car park (and toilet!) at the base of the climb, out to Kantju Gorge (2km return, 1.5 hrs) which is a lovely peaceful spot. There’s also a free ranger guided Mala Walk. Uluru is made from a sedimentary rock called arkose sandstone.  It is Anangu Land traditionally owned by the Yankunytjatjara and Pitjantjatjara people, visitors are welcome but they ask you to respect their sacred areas, not to climb, or take photos at sensitive sites, which are well signposted, as ‘The real thing about this place is listening to everything’.

   

Quite marvellous to see the organic nature of the rock. It’s huge. It’s solid rock but  different every step of the way with caves and weathering scars, waterholes and plenty of nooks and crannies.

 

Sun is getting higher and we’re running out of shade so we decide to head back to the carpark and then onto the Lungkata Walk to the Mutitjulu Waterhole and back. Next time we’ll park and start at the Waterhole and head onto the Kuninya Walk so we make better use of the shade and walk the more exposed areas in the cool rather than the heat, hopefully.

    

Wonder how old the rock paintings are?

  

Full sun now so we head off and visit the viewing platforms. More walking tomorrow but it’s the Kata Tjuta (the Olgas) which you can see in the distance here. Rather flat around here, isn’t it? That’s forty kilometres away.

  

After 6km and 3 hrs its enough for today, time for a wonderfully refreshing swim, with only a few wasps these days.

Posted in Ayers Rock, Central Australia, Kata Tjuta, Places, The Olgas, Uluru | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

An Australian Capitals High Tea Challenge.

Posted on May 5, 2012 by Sconquest

Why not try a High Tea Tour of Australia?
The ABC Shop’s VIP Competition to win a Mothers Day High Tea gives a great list and an excuse to start exploring Australia. How many places have you been? If not, make it a goal to try some or even, better all of them!  Love to hear know how you went or where else you would suggest? Of course, we have to find ways to burn off those calories afterwards too. Perhaps we could start an Australian Rural High Tea Challenge starting with somewhere like the Shamrock Hotel at Bendigo or even in Central Australia, if there is one.  I didn’t find any but who knows what treasures are around the corner, especially in places that don’t cost an arm and a leg.

Funny I can’t find the link at the moment, perhaps because there’s a new competition, but I’ll keep looking and update. So here’s what the ABC suggested: Treat Mum to a luxurious high tea afternoon for four guests at one of the following destinations in each capital city:

Adelaide – Promenade Restaurant, Stamford Grand Adelaide Hotel
Take time out at Stamford Grand Adelaide with a touch of luxury. Indulge in a delicious high tea with family or friends whilst enjoying the sweeping ocean views from the comfort of The Promenade Restaurant.

Brisbane – McMahons Restaurant, Quay West Suites Brisbane
Join the tea party and rediscover a timeless tradition in the unique luxury and ambience of McMahons Restaurant. Enjoy an array of high tea delicacies, including finger sandwiches, a savoury selection and sweet treats, beautifully complemented by your choice of freshly brewed traditional teas or espresso coffee.

Canberra – The Tea Lounge, Hyatt Hotel Canberra
Enjoy a sumptuous afternoon tea in the Heritage Listed Tea Lounge at Hyatt Hotel Canberra. Select from delicate finger sandwiches, savouries, slices and cakes. Each guest receives their choice of tea or coffee.

Darwin – SKYCITY Darwin
The perfect setting for a celebratory occasion or relaxed get-together with friends by the ocean. Indulge in a selection of sandwiches and savoury canapés, sweet treats and coffee or tea.

Hobart – Grand Mercure Hadleys Hotel
Treat yourself and friends to one of the finer indulgences; enjoy high tea serviced each afternoon at Grand Mercure Hadleys Hotel including traditional teas and finger sandwich and cakes.

Melbourne – The Hotel Windsor – have to visit competition page here

Perth – The George
This is no stuffy, nose-in-the-air type afternoon – it’s High Tea with a George twist. The kitchen works its magic as they deliver amazing finger sandwiches, succulent savouries, and of course homemade scones and raspberry and balsamic jam.

Sydney – The Tea Room QVB
Served on authentic British three-tiered silver stands with Royal Albert china, traditional high tea at The Tea Room QVB offers the chance to indulge in this timeless tradition. Delight in an array of delicately prepared sweet cakes and savoury pastries, finger sandwiches, homemade scones with preserve and cream and a wide selection of tea or coffee.
If you find the link and get the chance to enter, tell them in 25 words or less – why would your mum like to attend a high tea? Submit your entry by 4pm 21 May 2012.

Good luck!

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