We backtracked a little to take the turn to Kings Canyon so today was a travel day and we’d be doing the 4 hour 6 km walk tomorrow. Both families had spotted this Morris Pass Lookout as a potential campsite to base ourselves at. What a winner. Set on top a ridge you have stunning panoramic views of the plains below and the ranges that are home to Kings Canyon.
We pulled the vans up next to each other and the kids disappeared down the ridge to explore. Finding themselves a cave to play in we hardly saw them the entire time we were at this campsite. It was a bit steep for Lulu to get up and down so we built a little bird’s nest from the rocks and paved the access way with stones.
Friday night had rolled around again. So it was burgers and movie night for the kids and quality adult time around the campfire with Brett and Mel. Good time, great fire, magical night skies and early to bed with a big walk the next day.
A must do epic walk, it was something we really didn’t want to miss but I have to say I was worried about how we were going to manage with Lulu. Back in Yulara I’d bought a 5 metre length of fabric and I’m hoping to make a sling for Lulu, she won’t go in the more structured sling we’ve carried around the country. Armed with snacks and sweets we set off at daybreak.
Lulu was a total star climbing up the steep rocky staircase that takes you up to the rim of gorge. Between the soft early morning light, the happy and energetic kids and stunning rock colours and formation it was a wonderful start. The wonder just continued throughout the whole walk. The big kids ran, leaped and chatted their way about. Not a single whinge, whine or complaint from any of them and Lulu was pretty awesome too.
She happily went in the sling (which she named painty) but I let her out whenever she wanted. Ken thought I was a little crazy letting her go in and out, in and out, but with a long way to go and the hope of using it for future walks through the Kimberley I didn’t want her to develop an aversion to it. On the upside, I was becoming very proficient at tying her on and getting her off without any assistance.
The whole walk was absolutely amazing! Everywhere you looked views, awe and wonder. Magnificent, ancient and unique rock formations, all set in the outback colour palette. Bright blue sky, deep red rocks. After our lunch stop at the Garden of Eden we passed the halfway point and powered on. Lulu was an absolute star and did the second half of the walk in the sling. This was so great as I was able to get into an enjoyable walking pace and rhythm and enjoy the views as well.
We were super proud of our girls and all enjoyed a well earned icy pole and rest in the afternoon. What a great adventure and so thrilled to have shared it with the Durstons.
Ken and I were on a schedule as we have the car booked in to have its windscreen replaced and some auto electric repairs in three days’ time in Alice Springs. So we are off for a very quick trip through the West MacDonnell Ranges.
We selected Redbank Gorge for an overnight stay. The journey there was a bit of fun. It’s been great staying in convoy with the Durstons and chatting on the UHF, and has turned out to be pretty helpful too. Today it was Ken’s turn to lend some assistance to Brett. The roads were pretty rough and a fuel filter had shaken loose from the Chevy.
Other points of interest for the day were the roadside Brumbies, the stunning cliffs of the range and a brief stop at Tylers Pass Lookout. The lookout offered stunning 360 degree views including Gosse Bluff the meteorite site. It will be memorable for Charlotte as the spot where a stack of large rocks fell on her head.
There was a memorial / triangulation point stack of rocks and it looked like a metal bar ran through the middle of it. However when Charlotte got a little too close and gave the pole a wiggle the 3 or 4 rocks on top came down on her head. Other than the shock she was ok with a sore head for a couple of days.
From the lookout we made our way to the campsite which was full when we arrived. What to do? As we wandered around, looking for a camp this great couple offered to move their car (as they had not set up camp yet) and take a smaller site near us. It was so kind and decent of them. In the end we shared sunset with them and they came and joined us around the campfire at night. It was a great evening, he was a doctor and she an outback nurse and midwife so I was fascinated to hear their stories and the reality of health care and birth for Indigenous women.
In the morning we had planned to walk Redbank Gorge before heading back to Alice. To be perfectly honest we probably weren’t really feeling up to it and in the end we were let off when one of the kids had been unwell overnight. So after nearly a month of travelling together we farewell the Durstons. It has been such an enriching time that we are very grateful to have shared with them. It would have been very sad but we were consoled that it was just for a few nights, we’d catch up again in Alice.
