Day 11

"The excitement never stops" - a regular quote from our laid back Australian tour guide / coach driver, Doug.

Another silly o'clock start (alarm went off a 5 a.m. to be precise and we're supposed to be on holiday!)

We took the coach the short distance to the Kings Canyon where we were given a choice of attempting the six kilometre / 3 1/2 hour rim walk or the 'strictly for big girls blouses' shaded one hour walk inside the canyon.

Obviously being super fit as we are (ahem...), we opted for the former. There were ten of us plus Penny the guide.

Start of the walk was mega steep but Sue's heart held out well. Fantastic views, some of us got closer to the edge of the canyon than others for the best photos.

The highlight was probably 'The Garden of Eden', a series of pools culminating in a large lake which some members of our groups took the opportunity to swim in.

The walk commenced at 6 a.m and finished at 9.20 a.m. We went back to the resort to pack our cases (after a quick daylight search round our original room in case we missed anything last night).

Before we departed, we treated ourselves to the spa bath with some cracking views from the window right next to it.

At 11.00 a.m. we left for Alice Springs. Stopped at Kings Canyon Station (the camel place) again for a veggie burger and the obligatory chips. Can't tell you about the next few hours as we slept through most of it.

After one or two more stops for refreshments, we arrived at Heavitree Gap in Alice Springs around 6.30 p.m.

Spruced up and took a taxi into the town courtesy of a Rick Waller lookalike driver. Lots of Aborigines in town and Rick gave us some serious advice about how to rebuke their requests for money without causing offence but they didn't approach us. Must have thought we were were zombies after the early start and exhausting walk.

Ate gnocchi and downed a bottle of local plonk before taking a cab back to resort.

Last thing at night, we fed the wild rock wallabies that came down from the hills and ate right out of our hands. We even saw our one and only wild kangaroo at last!

No early start tomorrow thankfully. Been a great day.