So we took a bit of a detour from our east coast journey and flew half way across the country to "The Red Centre", the best decision we have ever made! Everything about our 9 day trip was amazing!!!! We flew to Alice Springs, where we began our 3 day tour to Uluru (Ayer's Rock), Kata-Tjuta and Kings Canyon. Even though its just a rock, there was so much history and aboriginal stories behind that were so interesting. We completed the base walk around the rock in 2 hours, in the boiling heat and bit of advice for anyone thats thinking of doing it, buy a fly net for your face! You may look stupid but we would have really appreciated one when we were there! There were at times about 70 flies (no joke) on David. After that we watched the sunset over Ayers rock with champagne before heading to our campsite to sleep under the stars. We slept in swags around the fire (like a waterproof sleeping bag), no tents. We were a bit scared at first about the dingoes getting to us but after we got to sleep it was fine. Next morning we were up at 4 ready to watch the sunrise over the rock. It was amazing! We went to Kata-Tjuta for the rest of the day. This was where the male Aborigines performed their initiation ceremonies - if female Aborigines looked at Kata-Tjuta they could face the death penalty!!! Still nobody knows what goes on though there. In the middle of the outback we manage to bump into one of our friends from our previous trip in Asia! It was so weird, what are the chances of that! Got back from our 4 hour walk around the area and headed off quad-biking! It was amazing, we went so fast - at one point I managed to majorly come off the track because I couldn't slow down quick enough and managed to head off into the trees and bushes, I nearly ran over a cow!! We passed by the cows, dingoes, kangaroos and camels as we went passed. We were in a group but everyone went so fast it felt like we were just on our own riding through the outback. Camped again under the stars, we even had a shower and a toilet with star gazing facilities (only 3 walls and no door). Following day, another early start before heading off to Kings Canyon, the views were amazing! Definately on a par with Ayers rock. We swam in the 'Garden of Eden' full of algae but apparantely it is really healthy. They don't know the depth of the water because its too deep to measure! After our tour, we spent a few days relaxing and having lie ins because we were so tired from all the early mornings and activities we'd been doing. We ended up camping for a few days as the Masters Games were on and Alice Springs was packed. We got to feed the rock wallabies at the campsite - they are sooo cute! They grab your hand and pull the food towards them. Started our 3 day road trip back to Cairns ....