From 15 April to 7 May 2022 - 3290 kilometers
Not far from Melbourne is Wilsons Promontory, a big mountainous "tongue" into the Bass Straight, north of Tasmania. Unfortuntely, it's impossibe to drive to "South Point" so I walked 1h15 minutes to the summit of Mont Oberon in order to have a glimpse of the end of Australia...
When I "hit the road", my first section is along
the Great Ocean Road - Magnificent !
=> So lucky to be "out of season". During peak tourist season (and school holidays)
those viewing platforms are jammed packed with visitors...
I cannot ressist the temptation to go on an helicopter ride...
This is my FIRST helicopter ride, ever !
Heading now inland, in the direction of Adelaide
Naracoorte Caves National Park was officially recognised in 1994 for its extensive fossil record when the site was inscribed on the World Heritage List. The park preserves 6 km2 of remnant vegetation, with 26 caves contained within the 3.05 km2 World Heritage Area. Out of the 28 known caves in the park, only four are open to the public. Other caves are kept away from the public eye as they are important for scientific research and also for the protection of the caves and their contents.
In 1969, two explorers squeezed through a gap in Victoria Fossil Cave and discovered a massive chamber full of fossilised remains.
For over 200,000 years this chamber had been a pitfall trap, storing the remains of thousands of animals. Layer upon layer of remains accumulated over the years, creating a rich fossil record of the ancient animals that roamed the area.
Since then, this extraordinary fossil deposit has been a working paleontological dig – tens of thousands of fossil bones have been recovered. The fossils give us a unique window into the climate and environment of the times when these animals lived.
Continuing north...
Driving north, passed Adelaide...
The Flinders Ranges are the largest mountain range in South Australia, which starts about 200 km north of Adelaide. The Adnyamathanha people are the Aboriginal group who have inhabited the range for tens of thousands of years.
Its most characteristic landmark is Wilpena Pound/Ikara, a large, sickle-shaped, natural amphitheatre that covers 80 km2 and contains the range's highest peak.
Several small areas in the ranges have protected area status providing scenic long distance routes for walkers, cyclists and horse-riders.
The Oodnadatta Track is an unsealed 614 km outback road in the Australian state of South Australia, connecting Marla in the north-west to Marree in the south-east. Along the way, the track passes the settlements of William Creek and Oodnadatta.
Originally dubbed the Afghan Express, The Ghan train was named for the pioneering cameleers who blazed a permanent trail into the Red Centre of Australia more than 150 years ago; the original Ghan line followed the route of explorer John MacDouall Stuart.
Engoordina Siding: The siding buildings consist of two and three bedroom quarters with kitchen and dining area in the middle. The siding was the base for maintenance gang No. 22. An increase in military traffic in World War II instigated the establishment of a large passing loop in 1941. The Engoordina Siding was listed as a station in 1951 but was closed in March 1959.
Driving towards Uluru
Uluru also known as Ayers Rock is a large sandstone formation in the centre of Australia. It is in the southern part of the Northern Territory, 335 km southwest of Alice Springs.
Uluru is sacred to the Pitjantjatjara, the Aboriginal people of the area, known as the Aṉangu. The area around the formation is home to an abundance of springs, waterholes, rock caves, and ancient paintings. Uluru is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Uluru is one of Australia's most recognisable natural landmarks and has been a popular destination for tourists since the late 1930s. It is also one of the most important indigenous sites in Australia.
1) I Got up very early to watch the sunrise
2 ) Drove around the rock
3) Rode a bicycle around the rock
Driving towards Kata-Tjuta
Uluṟu-Kata Tjuṯa National Park is a protected area in the Northern Territory of Australia. The park is home to both Uluru and Kata Tjuta.
The park covers 1,326 square kilometres and includes the features it is named after: Uluru and, 40 kilometres to its west, Kata Tjuta. The location is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site for natural and cultural landscape.
1) Valley of the winds
2) Walpa gorge
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