Up at 07:00 to get ready and go for breakfast at the Bough Restaurant – a huge amount of hot or cold food and hot or cold drinks on offer. having topped up our own fuel cells and loaded with water, factor 50 sunscreen, sturdy shoes and cameras the bus picked us up and took us on the short drive in to the National Park and presented us with a couple of options for drop off and pick up points, we got off at the car park at the start of the Mala Walk. At this point there are options for short shuttle walks to either side of the car park, the complete Base Walk or the ascent and summit hike. As there are requests on huge signs from the indigenous people requesting that visitors don’t walk or climb on the rock itself, we (I) decided we should respect their wishes and do the Base Walk – I told Emma that we’d just go to the next water point and back, just happened to forget to mention that that water point was over half way round so by the time we’d got there we “might as well” just continue the whole way round.
We started the walk around 09:15 and it took us just over 3 hours to complete. The walk is easy, flat, very hot, sandy and every step is an adventure in the outback always with half an eye in the bush checking for movement – just in case.. at the end we rested in the purpose built shaded shelters for the bus to collect us and bring us back. Other than walking up or around the rock there are no other attractions, gift shops, cafes, bars – nothing. There are shaded shelters in a few places with water on tap for relief if you need it but otherwise there’s nothing, you have to bring anything you may feel you need with you and carry it.
Top tip if you ever plan to do this. Buy a fly net to cover your head. We didn’t and the constant attack from millions of flies the whole way round put a downer on what would otherwise have been a perfect day trip. They do subside a little when you’re in the shade but only a little.
Had a few very quick, very cold beers as soon as we got back and basically crashed out in the room. It may be an easy walk but the dry heat saps you more than you realise whilst walking.
It’s a visit we’ll never forget.
Sandylands to Sandier Lands 