Merry Christmas from the Red Centre of Australia...

Christmas in the Red Centre sure is different! The weather is absolutely perfect - still a lot of wildlife wandering around (lots to eat, thanks to good rains this year) & the herbage is abundant.

I am out on tour tomorrow for 4 days, spending Christmas Day at iconic Uluru - should be a hoot!

Christmas Greetings to all and sundry...see you back here in 2011.

C H E E R S !!

Red Centre Touring...Christmas approaching

The landscape is looking stunning at the moment -- see for yourself, here are some images from the last tours.

Hazy Summer in the Red Centre...

Some nice images of water coming off Kata Tjuta

Hot haze over the rock

Rain at Uluru

Desert blooms are abundant

Crocodile Traps...

No more swimming in Territory billabongs-do so at your own risk.

These large traps are placed along the banks of waterways to trap any huge "Salties" that may be lurking nearby.

And believe me folks, these traps are huge. Although they may look flimsy, they do the job quite nicely!

Red Centre Sunsets

Central Australian skies on fire

Mataranka thermal pool

Crystal clear waters of thermal pool at Mataranka

A stunning hidden oasis surrounded by tall palms & lush vegetation

A perfect spot to rest & revive after an exploration of Kakudu

Kakudu - Ubir - An evocative landscape

Endless lush green plains as far as the eye can see...

Massive outcrops of hanging boulders...

Ancient rock art ablaze in the afternoon sun - the stunning natural beauty of Ubir

in the National Park of Kakudu

Nourlangie Rock - Kakudu National Park

Nourlangie Rock - a place of great significance to the local Bininj ("bin-ing") & Mungguy ("mun-goy") people who sought protection from the shelter of the rock during the wet season when the low plains flooded.

Fine examples of tribal rock art are featured on the visible flat rock surfaces - evidence of long past camp life. One can even see where rocks have been worn smooth from perpetual grinding of stones creating vessels within the great stones themselves.

Here seeds, berries & soft rock was ground to produce foodstuffs & powdered dyes for rock painting.

Narrow pathways wind between the massive overhanging rocks - small protected caves & crevices offer shelter for life. Bird-life is abundant & vocal. Delicate flora blooms.

The entire area evokes a reverent mysticism & feeling of spirit. It is a very special place of peace.

Click below for more images of Nourlangie -Kakudu

Kakudu images

April 25th tour - Kakudu

1. &2. Group shots

3. A warm greeting at the "Culture Camp"

4. & 5. Traditional owners performing the park "welcome" ceremony

6. Traditional women's dance

Mindil Beach Markets

The "dry" season has officially arrived but it still feels like the "wet" in Darwin! Relentless humidity & high temperatures has made the last 2 weeks a bit uncomfortable...the nights are the worst with minimum temps of 28-30 degrees.

What better way to beat the heat than to head down to the beach for a cool drink & a good "noshy" meal. Mindil Beach Markets opened their 2010 season tonight & it seemed like the entire population of Darwin was there! The sunset was, as per usual, superlative....enjoy these.