To Broome and Back!: Day 19. Storms at Uluru. Kulgera

We left early today because we had a long journey ahead of us some 350 kms. We left the Stuart Highway and turned on to the Lassiter Highway that would take us through to the Ayers Rock Resort. We could see that we were heading into heavy rain as the dark clouds were ahead of us and although it wasn't raining we knew it was coming!

The trip was an interesting drive the countryside varying in vegetation. No wildlife, but we did see two huge eagles tearing at a dead kangaroo and they were reluctant to leave the carcass even though we were bearing down on them.
A clouded Mount Conner looked amazing. The drifting cloud looked like smoke from a bushfire.
We had just set up camp when the rain came and it was quite heavy too. We decided we would find the Camel Races but they had been abandoned because of the weather, but we did see a few lovely young ladies all dressed up for the "Fashions on the Field" carefully stepping over large puddles in their high heels! Reminded us of Melbourne Cup Day a few years ago when it poured.
The rain stopped for a short time just near dusk and we were able to get our first long range view of the rock. The sun setting against broken cloud looked spectacular.
A number of travellers were at the rock during the heavy rain and witnessed many waterfalls spilling down the rock face. A very rare event. Some photos of the flooding are shown below.
The Ayers Rock Resort is a very large complex consisting our a number of hotels, motels and other accommodations as well as caravan and camping areas. There is also a supermarket and other shops in a little village atmosphere.
Watch the footy tonight.
Tomorrow we get up close and personal to the Rock.