After being up at 4am to see the sunrise at Uluru it is still early, and still cold, as we gathered around Jake as he told us about Kata Tjuta.
“A number of legends surround the great snake king Wanambi, who is said to live on the summit of Kata Tjuṯa / Mount Olga and only comes down during the dry season. His breath was said to be able to transform a breeze into a hurricane in order to punish those who did evil deeds. The majority of mythology surrounding the site is not disclosed to outsiders, and in particular, women. As is the custom, should women become known to the “men’s business” they are susceptible to violent attacks, even death. The Anangu Aborigines believe the great rocks of Kata Tjuta are homes to spirit energy from the ‘Dreaming’, and since 1995 the site is being used once again for cultural ceremonies. (Wikipedia)”
Then we hike along the tracks between the domes along “the valley of the winds”
Occasionally stopping to regroup and hear more stories…
Walking under the beautiful ghost gum trees their branches reaching to the sky.
That reminded me that this week the theme in Ailsa’s “Where’s my backpack” is branches, so thought this would be an appropriate post for it.
This is another type of eucalyptus. So many varieties of these trees around Australia.
Quite a different experience among these mighty domes. To me it seemed to be about the beauty of the formations and the vibrant red against the azure blue sky. Though I knew it was a sacred site it was more a feeling of peace. Maybe because there are not many tourists around us.
Now we travel to the next camping spot at Kings Creek Station. On the way we stop for the load of fire wood. Quicker and easier with more helpers…
Kings Creek Station is a working cattle station and a real outback experience.
“Kings Creek Station was established in 1982 by Ian and Lyn Conway. This was originally vacant crown land with no infrastructure – no water, no electricity, no communications, no roads and no buildings.
Originally the vision was to run the Station as a cattle/camel property. Since then tourism has taken precedence although Kings Creek Station still runs cattle and exports camels. Kings Creek covers an area of 1800 sq kilometres of which 110 sq K’s is Freehold, the remainder being Leasehold.”
Can you imagine how tough it was and only 35 years ago. Now we are staying in comparative comfort in permanent tents. Though Jake has swags for us if we want to sleep under the stars.
A fire is lit then we all help to prepare veggies and Jake cooks a delicious casserole in a camp oven over the fire, accompanied with damper. I forgot to take any photos, but believe me it was yummy.
The end of another very memorable day.
Gorgeous image, Pauline. And a great experience you had. We loved Kata Tjuta -I do remember that we were very happy to have our netting for the black flies! What a magnificent part of the world.
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It certainly is magnificent Jane. Fortunately we didn’t have the fly problem as it was mid winter when we were there.
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The ghost gum looks just like what we know as ghost gum here (although there is a smaller species with the same name too). There are some similar eucalyptus with white trunks, but they are taller with elegantly curving trunks, like the lemon gum, only larger. I really wish that people here were not so bothered by eucalyptus. They are such good trees for our climate. That other eucalyptus with the rough bark does not look so appealing though.
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Not used so much in landscaping over here, but, of course, they are every where in the bush. I find it very difficult to identify them
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There are too many specie for even the most experienced of arborists to know them all!
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This is a great adventure you’re on! Hope those tents were luxurious – glamping style. Is that station/ ranch really 1800 square kms??? How could they possibly oversee it all?
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No definitely not glamping, very basic, but surprisingly warm. Helicopters are used a lot these days to manage those huge stations.
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Wonderful, especially the curvaceous domes!
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It was originally one dome like Uluru, but over the millennia it has eroded to those fascinating shapes.
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I love those rich earthy colours. Lovely follow up to Uluru 🙂 🙂
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Lovely colours Jo and very hard to get the shades when painting
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Those ghost gums are gorgeous. I don’t know why I didn’t notice them and I’m sure I don’t have any photos. It is a different world out there isn’t it? Nothing like your Sydney / Brisbane / Melbourne conurbations. To me the outback is truly unique and although I like the cities, it is this that says ‘Australia’ to me.
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Yes it is unique and a never to be forgotten experience. I’m so pleased I managed to get there.
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Did Jake tell you about the aboriginal history of King’s Creek Station? I’m pretty sure it’s history goes back much longer than 1982 and was the site of an horrific massacre, so Aboriginal people won’t go near the place. I worked in Alice in 2000 and heard some dreadful stories…
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No he didn’t tell us that part of history. The Europeans have a lot to answer for how they treated the Aboriginals. Came across so many massacre sites in our travelling days
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