Day Six - June 15

We left Ribas, Coober Pedy at 8 this morning and have begun the drive toward Uluru.
Driving through the opal fields, the sheer number of mullock heaps is incredible, especially when you realise only 1/3 of the field has been mined and they have been working on it for 100 years.

This morning we got a close up look at a few wedge tailed eagles, one of whom smashed our passenger wing mirror. No other damage to the car, and the bird seemed ok. Lesson learned - never assume birds on road kill are crows, they may surprise you.
We have strapped on our extension mirror, and our rolling repair is working well. Made me really glad I packed the duct tape!

It's been a very long day in the car today. There is not a lot between Coober Pedy and Yulara. We stopped at the border and took some photos with the Welcome to NT sign, then stopped again at Kulgera for fuel, and paid the most we've ever paid for diesel - $1.76. Ouch.

After turning off the Stuart Hwy onto the Lassiter Hwy, there was much excitement and confusion as we debated whether we could see Uluru or not. Debate continued until we reached the sign that said Mt Connor Lookout. Toby took lots of pictures.



Mt Connor. Not Uluru.

We saw our first red sand dune, but have a few more kms to drive today, so haven't gotten to climb one yet.

After we passed Curtin Springs we caught our first glimpse of Uluru, and there was no mistaking the real thing. Something in your gut just resonates and you feel like this is mine. This is home. My place. My country.




That's the real deal.
Tomorrow, we get up close and personal.

We are set up now at Ayers Rock Campground for three nights, but reading the guide it's starting to feel like that is not going to be long enough. We have a lot of kms to walk in the next few days.

Beautiful sunset tonight.