Day 56 – Alice Springs to Kings Canyon Resort

I was awake at 6:15 with Louis’ alarm ringing and ringing – he slept through it but no-one else did. It was the time I wanted to rise, so I was up, showered and dressed. I moved ARTIE into the public parking area and then had breakfast. Lynn was also up, so I put some things into the car and then packed my stuff up. I went around to the Visitor Information Centre and got the pass for the Mereenie Loop ($5). Back at the YHA all was finished, so I said goodbye and returned the key card. We set off – but only around the corner to “Mad Harry’s”, where I did a little shopping for things I can’t get elsewhere in the country (including soft combs, necessary because of my thin or absent hair). Then it was around to Woolworths to do a little shopping and we were off. The first part of the drive was over familiar territory, as it was out to the gorges. As we neared the Namitjira monument, I spied my first brumby (almost at the same place I had first seen some ten years ago). He stayed still while I got close enough to take some good shots. We continued on to then arrive at Hermannsburg around 10:45. We had a good look over the historic precinct and even had scones with jam and cream there. It was getting on towards 1 when we finally left. Then we went off to Gosse Bluff and saw the remains of a meteorite crater. Finally we were back on the road (variously called the Mereenie Loop or Larapinta Drive) heading towards Kings Canyon. We saw at least two more groups of brumbies plus some very good scenery. Not long after stopping at a lookout the road became sealed again for the past ten kilometres into Kings Canyon Resort. We booked in, were allocated our room (2) and went down to unpack and settle in. After a cup of tea we went up to the sunset viewing area and saw the change in colour of the ranges as the sun set. I chatted briefly with a couple from Anglesea (he was in Lions – first and third Mondays of the month meetings) and a couple from near Gosford. After the sun set we went back to the room, had tea and I wrote up my blog and transferred the photos from today over and made room on the card for the photos tomorrow. I also did some puzzles out of the new magazines. Finally I went to sleep.