We arrived into Alice Springs on the smallest plane either of us have ever flown on and after picking up our rental car we headed into Alice Springs to find a bed for the night. Alice feels a bit rough and ready the owner of the motel we stayed at was more of a bouncer than a receptionist to give you an idea, but we weren't complaining because we had a proper bed and even a TV!

The drive to Uluru ( Ayres rock) was about 4 hours but in a proper car with air con and cruise control felt like twenty minutes. We had to pay $50 to enter the park which was more than double any other park and I was not happy at all. Especially as my expectation was to get to the rock, take a few postcard type pictures and then leave but actually it was an amazing place with much more to see and do than we both thought. The culture centre was really interesting, then the rock itself had a lovely drive all the way round giving lovely views off all the different aspects of the rock. We also did some walking around its perimeter to various watering holes and caves with cultural significance. The rock itself is not smooth red sandstone as I thought but it has a wonderful texture and depth to it and up close there are various colour differences due to minerals in the sandstone. It also has large scarring and potholes all over it created by water flowing when it rains.

After paying $50 I thought to myself I am definitely going to climb to the top! However, the walk was closed during the hot winter period so we couldn't anyway and after spending some time there I now think they should just close it all together and respect the place for what it is. Also, the walk looks very steep and very dangerous with one little hand rail for the part so secretly I was glad it was closed.

That evening although the weather wasn't great we stayed for the sunset, which was actually better looking away from the rock but we had glimpses of sunlight hitting it and turning it a deep red colour.

Our accommodation that evening was the most rustic (crappy) of cabins but even that had a TV so I was happy enough. Nikki wasn't quite so easily pleased especially after driving past the five star cabins!

We got up at 5am the next morning for a non eventful sunrise and wish we had both stayed in bed but we did go straight back there and in the end nearly missed check out!

Then we headed to the Olgas to do a bit of gorge walking, this was also a beautiful area and the walks were great. Although they are only about 40kms away the Olgas is very different from Uluru and overlooked by most who just visit the park for the red rock.

Kings Canyon was a story of a really rustic (really crappy) half closed, run down resort and one of the best walks and areas we have been to on our whole travels. We don't need to say anymore about the resort other than it gave us our first Dingo sighting.

The walk we did was the 6km rim walk including the garden of eden area. The walk started with a very steep climb upto the top of the canyon before levelling out, and once at the top we had great views over the land and gorge area. Thankfully the weather was overcast so it was a much cooler day otherwise it would have been tough. The garden of eden is like a little oasis in the middle of the desert with, a stream and deep pools.

Back at the car we made the journey back to Alice and decided rather than waste money on rough accommodation we might as well check into a campsite and sleep in the car, which actually wasn't as bad as it sounds although neither of us will be doing it again!