Kim Gerdes To climb or not to climb, that is the question, at least it's the question you get asked if you've been to Uluru. As I'm meeting people along the way we often discuss where we've been and compare notes so to speak. As I'm in the centre I continually come across people who have been to Uluru as I have and then ask if I've climbed it. My answer being no, but they go on to excitedly share how they had. Perhaps I am too stuck in my teacher ways but if I'm asked not to do something I try not to do it. At first I thought maybe it was a generational thing, because I grew up calling it Ayers Rock, so I thought perhaps older Australians had grown up being able to climb it and therefore thought it was ok. I came across 2 people at Kings Canyon, one an older lady (60s) and also a younger man (30s) who had both climbed it, so it dispelled my thoughts of it being just older folk that thought it was ok. I then met a group of 3 couples from WA who were divided on the subject some thought it was ok to climb the rock and were even annoyed at the fact that you had to pay an entrance fee for the park and others just wouldn't not because it's dangerous or they have a fear to climb it but out of respect for the Aboriginal custodians. So it is a hotly debated topic in this region, I still believe it shouldn't be climbed and don't regret my decision despite being the adventuring kind. But I wonder what other people think?

Kim Gerdes Thanks Mischelle, I've had 2 days here so far, eating and drinking plenty and it's been great, one more full day tomorrow before heading off on Friday :)

Mischelle McBriarty Hi Kim, Great to read your blog and know that your travels are going well. Your next stop in the Barossa region is one of my favourite spots in Australia for many reasons. I hope you enjoy your stay there and enjoy sampling the local produce. cheers Mischelle

around-australia PS: thanks for the beanie Miss Mirzai and Miss O'Rourke I've had it on every morning and night to keep me warm :)

Kim Gerdes Hi Miss Mirzai and 4/3C, the only animals I notice in the tent are Mosquitos which I try to keep outside and the birds which like to get up very early in the morning and sing about how happy they are to be up early, unfortunately waking me up :(. So far there haven't been any other animals where I have been camping.

Janelle Blanchard Hi Kim, I started teaching at Wentworth (just over the border from Mildura) and can totally agree with cool nights but loved the area. Travel safely.

4/3C and Miss Mirzai Hi Miss Gerdes! We hope you are having a great adventure so far! 4/3C have been amazed at how far you have travelled already! We read your blog posts and are following you using Google maps. We even had a look at the Big Merino using street view and had a good laugh at the back (bum) of it! haha We have a quick question for you. When you slept in the tent, were there any animals near by and were you scared? Keep safe!

Chris Barker Sounds like a great start, Kim. I have known some of those freezing nights spent in the interior towns! Brrrr! Happy exploring.