Victoria Harbour

The Big Buddha/Tian Tan

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The walk is broken into several sections, each with its own unique landforms and vistas. Most Aussies would be familiar with the iconic movie Priscilla: Queen of the Desert and first up on the walk is what is known as Priscilla's Crack, a V-shaped formation made famous by scenes from the movie. The sandstone domes here tower above you shaped almost like giant hives, they are both eerie and magnificent in the cool morning light. Throughout the walk, our guide pointed out particular bush plants that were once used by the Aborigines for food and hunting purposes, and many take on rather sculptural forms.

Once you reach the rim, you're offered magnificent, panoramic views of the canyon and the grandeur of its sheer sandstone walls and the chasm beneath becomes apparent. I think this is the moment I've been waiting for, nothing can quite describe the feeling of seeing the canyon in its entirety as you walk from the north wall to the southern side. For some rest and snacks, we headed down to the waterhole, also known as the Garden of Eden, where a shady pool surrounded by sandstone walls and cycads offered us some well-needed rest before making our way back up and out.

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The day ended with sunset viewing of Uluru while sipping on some chilled sparkling wine and munching on crackers and dips. It was an awe-inspiring sight; watching Uluru change with the fading light and surrounded in silence.

Uluru sunset viewing

But we were in for a treat the next morning as we got up well before dawn and headed out of camp at 6:30am to make it to the base of Uluru right before first light. The Kuniya Walk is around 1hr at a leisurely pace, starting at Kuniya Piti and ending at the Mala carpark. To witness sunrise over Uluru at such closeness, see it change from a deep reddish purple to a vibrant ochre as the sun slowly rises was truly a magical and rather spiritual experience. No wonder this place is famous for its spectacular sunrise and sunsets! This is a must!

Sunrise

Uluru at dawn

Uluru at sunrise

If you have time, I would also suggest taking the shorter Mala Walk, where you will see some of the sacred sites used by the Aboriginal people for ceremonies, teachings and food preparation. It is best to opt for a guide, this way you will not only learn about the land and its stories but also of the various bush plants and their uses. 

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It was a very long day; up at 4am for a 4+ hour drive down the south coast to Batemans Bay, and after an 8+ hour work-related site visit, I didn't get back home till 12am. But all in all, the scenery down south and the township of Batemans Bay was worth the long drive and thank goodness for all those coffee breaks!

Batemans Bay

The township of Batemans Bay lies within the Eurobodalla region, it unfolds along the banks of the Clyde River and is surrounded by forests, waterways and National Parks, it is also a popular holiday destination for Canberrans. As a first time visitor, I knew very little about this quiet, seaside town, but I've long heard about the iconic Batemans Bay Bridge and its oysters and oyster farms (I was told not to leave Batemans Bay without trying the oysters), and the atmosphere of the township is relaxed; fishing village vibes with residential properties as well as holiday homes. 

Batemans Bay from the northern foreshore (1/100 sec at f/11)

View of Batemans Bay Bridge from the northern foreshore (1/800 sec at f/5.6)

Waiting pelicans (1/200 sec at f/8.0)

Clyde Street, Batemans Bay (1/160 sec at f/11)

Batemans Bay Bridge
The bridge is a well-known and loved icon by the locals, it is a lift span bridge which allows larger marine traffic to pass beneath and was quite an engineering feat for its time. Today, it is still a vital link for both pedestrians and vehicles crossing the Clyde River, and worth a walk across to inspect the steel truss structure

For the return trip, a detour to Pebbly Beach,  Jervis Bay was a great spot to chillax before the long drive back, and if you time, hang around till sunset for the Kangaroos to come out onto the beach.

View along the northern foreshore (1/1000 sec at f/5.6)

Lifting span (1/125 sec at f/11)