At Uluru

 Monday, June 16

This was one of the shortest drives for ages – only a 100kms or so. The resort is an amazing set up. All the land around – 1000s of acres was given back to the Northern Land council for the Anangu Aborigines. Working together the NT Parks Dept and the Aborigines operate Uluru and Kata Tjuta while Voyagers operate the resort which has a town square, shops, four hotels, restaurants, cafes, caravan park, hospital, Police Station and fire services all set in magnificent native gardens and hard to see when you drive around.

Every day there are activities in town Park such as spear and boomerang throwing (no start from the Thompsons), bush yarns, didgeridoo playing and dance. At the daily market artists sit and paint and you can buy their work.

The resort and park employs 800 people of which 250 are Aborigines with a target of 50 per cent in 2018. Training is important, particularly in hospitality. It is an amazing place in the middle of nowhere offering 5 star facilities – we’re glad we stayed as it has taken us the full four days to see everything.

We saw on the news that an English tourist plunged to her death at nearby Kings Canyon. Every care has to be taken around here.

Mt Connor which is on the Curtin Springs Station.

Rosa and The Palace from the lookout above the Yulara Caravan Park. We don't often see the van from above.