More than just Uluru

I know there is more than just the famous monolith in the middle of Australia but I am not sure what I was expecting. I think I was envisioning leaving the Atherton Tablelands and at some point soon after, passing the last tree and the last running water until we reappeared in Perth. Well maybe I wasn't that naive but I really did not expect to see the diverse and fascinating landscapes that we have come across since leaving the comfort of the coast.
In the last week or so we have travelled across the Gulf Savannah and into the Red Centre. We have given the van a pretty good shake up and if I had paid more attention to the signs that suggested I drive according to the conditions, we may have fared a little better. Slow down on the unsealed bits! We have discovered dust in places that I would not have dreamed possible and swam in rivers which seemed to appear out of nowhere. Watched the sunsets over the water in Karumba and canoed along the beautiful Lawn Hill Gorge. We have covered a lot of ground and arrived in Alice Springs yesterday feeling pretty tired. We spent the day today getting ourselves back in order and will head out to Uluru tomorrow, knowing that it is not the only amazing thing in this wonderful Australian Outback.

The Crew at Undara National Park

Heading out of one of the lava tubes

Karumba Sunset

Lunch stop on the way to Gregory Downs

Welcome Oasis of Gregory River after a long hot day on the road.

The next oasis at Lawn Hill NP

Follow the leader

Sunrise Lawn Hill

Teamwork

Devil's Marbles

Roadside entertainment on the way to Alice Springs