Day 10. A day exploring Kata Tjuta (The Olgas) about 45km drive from Yalara Village. Absolutely spectacular red domes with huge gorges millions of years old! Climbed the Valley of the Winds to Karu Lookout and then up Walpa Gorge. Very sacred place to the traditional Anangu people. Learned about the local desert flora growing on the red sandhills and in the gorges - mulga, witchetty bush, upside-down bush, gidgee, Gibson desert fuchsia, desert thryptomene, spine...

Day 9. From Kulgera Roadhouse another early departure onto the Stuart Highway going North. Turned west after 74km onto the Lasseter Highway towards Yulara. No wind today so made good fuel use and distance. The highway being widened in places, no doubt to cater for many large coaches into Uluru. The road sparkling in places with some mineral? Red soil sandhills and groves of magnificent desert oak. Stopped for a great view of flat topped mesa Mt Connor often mist...

Day 8. Up very early and on the wide track North. Stopped at Cadmans Homestead for morning tea then onto Marla Roadhouse for lunch in the van by the park. Very strong headwinds and gradual rise in elevation meant we used 30% more fuel than normal. Country typical arid flat desert land with emus. Crossed into Northern Territory early afternoon and stopped for obligatory photos at border. Decided to overnight at Kulgera Roadhouse and caravan park, the 'first and l...