On ANZAC Day, we take a moment to remember those who served—and reflect on the freedoms and experiences we are privileged to enjoy.
May this week’s edition be shared in the spirit of gratitude, remembrance, and reverence.

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This week’s B ME Bites Trivia Question:

Welcome to edition #54 of B ME Bites! This week, it’s all about deep red dirt, cultural connection, and a sunset show like no other. Join the next leg of the epic Aussie van life road trip as we explore Uluru, Kata Tjuta, and Alice Springs—with a few mechanical mysteries and magic moments along the way.

Epic Aussie Van Life Road Trip - Gold Coast to Uluru and Back – Part 5

Uluru Sunsets, Starry Nights and Sacred Moments in the Red Centre

This chapter of the road trip brought ancient landscapes, unforgettable skies, and moments that stirred the soul—proof that the heart of Australia beats strongest in the quiet spaces.

Farewell Coober Pedy, Hello Red Centre

After soaking in the quirks of Coober Pedy, we set off early to explore a few of its famous underground churches before hitting the road again. While some were closed, we were lucky enough to visit both St Peter & Pauls underground Catholic Church and the Serbian Orthodox Church. Each was peaceful, cool, and filled with unique character—fascinating examples of how people have adapted to life in the desert. Of course, real life doesn’t pause just because you’re on an epic adventure—we also made a quick stop at the post office to send off a few orders!

Not long after we left, another light came up on Princess Panda’s dash—this time an emissions warning. It wasn’t ideal, but there wasn’t anything we could do where we were, so we made the call to keep driving and deal with it once we reached Uluru. That trusty vehicle manual got a workout this trip!

Along the way, we stopped at Erldunda Roadhouse—an unexpected little oasis in the middle of nowhere. To use the facilities, we had to walk past the bar, where a curious sign full of letters caught our attention: YCWCYODFTRFDTY. If you're wondering what it stands for, you'll have to make a donation to the Royal Flying Doctor Service to find out—cheeky and clever! We were happy to contribute. While waiting for coffee, we browsed the shop and had a great chat with the friendly staff, who advised us to buy some hats with fly nets. We weren’t convinced at first—they were not exactly a fashion statement—but thank goodness we listened! In the days to come, those hats saved us from what felt like a full-time job swatting flies. With those nets, we had both hands free to take photos and enjoy the moment. Best tip ever! Before hitting the road again, we bought some emu food and stopped by the emu enclosure—another unexpected delight.

We also popped into Curtin Springs Roadhouse, another charming stop in the desert. They had a collection of aviaries filled with birds, which made for a relaxing walk and a lovely break from the drive. The shop was fascinating too, with handmade wallpaper crafted from the wild grasses of the area. In the bar, we found not one but two more mystery signs: WYBMABIITY and FYCIHCYTCFTGDA—this time supporting Guide Dogs Australia. Let’s just say, have some spare change ready if curiosity gets the better of you!

Arriving at Uluru

When we arrived at Uluru, we got ourselves checked in to our powered campsite and headed straight to Sails in the Desert to find some food and scout out any additional tours we might want to do. Ayers Rock Resort truly amazed us—it’s like a tiny town in the desert! With everything from five-star hotels to campgrounds, a grocery store, service station, cafés, a town square, Post Office and even a medical centre, it has everything you need, all in one place.

The buffet dinner at Ilkari Restaurant was incredible—exactly the indulgence we needed after a long day on the road, and of course, we had to try the cocktails!

That night we camped in Princess Panda again and tried a new sleeping setup. It gave us a lot of laughs, but… it still wasn’t what you’d call comfortable! The next morning, we made the executive decision to upgrade to a motel room for our second night—sometimes, a good night’s sleep really is priceless.

Uluru and Kata Tjuta – Awe in Every Direction

Exploring Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park was the kind of day that stays with you forever. We started at Uluru, taking in the powerful energy of the land and visiting the cultural centre. One of the videos there showed how the traditional owners hunted and foraged—it was so insightful and grounding. Words can’t fully capture the feeling of being there.

From there, we drove around the base and then made our way to Kata Tjuta (The Olgas). They were equally breathtaking, with a slightly different energy that complemented Uluru beautifully.

For lunch, we returned to Ilkari for a beautiful high tea filled with native ingredients—a real treat for the senses.

A Night at Field of Light

That evening, we took part in A Night at Field of Light, and it was one of the most unforgettable experiences of the entire trip. Watching the sun set behind Uluru while the desert slowly came alive with 50,000 solar-powered lights was absolutely surreal. It was moving, magical, and deeply calming—a moment that felt like pure stillness and wonder.

One of the best parts of the night was the Star Talk—informative, funny, and absolutely magical. It added a deeper layer of wonder to the experience, connecting the lights on the ground with the stars above.

Sunrise Misfire and Alice Springs Arrival

The next morning, we got up at 4am to make it to the park entrance by 5am for the sunrise viewing. While we were excited, it turned out to be… a bit underwhelming. The sun rose behind us instead of behind Uluru, so we didn’t quite get the moment we imagined. Next time, we’re going to try the sunset viewing platform for sunrise—if you test it before I do, let me know if it’s a winner!

We headed for Alice Springs after that. Once there, we made it to the Alice Springs Telegraph Station just before closing. It was such an informative and fascinating stop—full of stories and history I never knew. If you're ever in the area, it’s definitely worth a visit.

We checked into Discovery Parks Alice Springs, where the staff were lovely and super helpful—even on a Sunday. The funniest moment? My dad had told me he thought he knew the owners. Turns out, he was right! I passed on the hello as requested.

That night we wandered over to Alice Springs Brewing Co for a Sunday sesh. We tasted some unique local brews, enjoyed live music, and tucked into an early dinner before strolling back to our cabin. It was the perfect way to wind down a big day.

Road Trip Lessons So Far

• Sometimes the bucket list experience isn't the one you expect—it’s the one that surprises you.

• When in doubt, upgrade the bed. Your body will thank you.

• Magic can be quiet. Look for it in lights, landscapes, and laughter.

🌄 What’s a place that left you speechless? Hit reply and share your story!

Next up: Part 6 – Oil drama, RFDS visits, and our journey toward Tennant Creek!

In Case You Missed It: B ME HQ Weekly Recap

Clutter can sneak into every corner—physical and mental—but it doesn’t have to take over. Last week's podcast, B ME Podcast 39: Self-Care for Busy People – 7 Simple Decluttering Hacks for a Calmer Mind & Healthier Space, offers small steps that make a big difference. From five-minute tosses to mindful resets, this episode is your invitation to create more peace and clarity in your everyday space.

🎧 Listen to the episode on your preferred podcast platform.

🎥 Watch the video on YouTube:

Also new from B ME HQ:

B ME Sunrise Bites officially launched last week! 🌞 A daily dose of morning magic, captured on the road—wherever I am on my travels. The first 7 days featured sunrises, surprise guests, quiet moments, and unexpected clarity in the fog.

🎥 Catch the Week 1 Highlight Reel now on YouTube and subscribe to the playlist to follow along each day:
👉 Watch the B ME Sunrise Bites Playlist

Weekly Challenge

Your mission for this week, if you choose to accept it, is to do the following:

So far, you have:

1. Taken a small step toward a goal

2. Committed or moved forward

3. Visualised your ‘why’

4. Planned for a possible obstacle

➡️ Week 5: Find the wonder.
This week’s challenge is to reconnect with something that inspires awe. Whether it’s a moment in nature, a cultural experience, or simply pausing under the night sky, find a way to invite wonder back into your world—and write about how it makes you feel. Big journeys start with open hearts.

If you need some help, feel free to hit reply - let’s help you get started if you’re stuck!

B ME Bites is deliberately sent on a Friday morning (Aussie time) so that where ever you are in the world, you have the weekend to give yourself the gift of implementing a small change towards a better you. What will that small change be? Is there a change that you have been trying to make and haven’t yet succeeded? Give it another go, applying the above - you can do it!

Resource Roundup

Below is a resource list that has been created with you in mind. Whenever something new that could be helpful is discovered or created, it’s added to the list, so check it out from time to time. If you’re strapped for time, once you open the page below, click on Resource List in the top menu, then click on the “Health Tools” link for a list of items that could be helpful on your path to a better you.

The answer to this week’s trivia question is:

Thanks for reading and the hope is that you found something helpful inside this issue. If you did, remember to share it with others whom could also find it helpful, using this link: https://bmebites.beehiiv.com

How did you like the content in this newsletter?

Hit reply and answer either 1,2 or 3, and, if the answer is 2 or 3, give the deets on what would make it a 1 for you!:

1. Loved it!

2. It was OK

3. Meh!

If you have an inspiring story, or a helpful tip or strategy to share, or if there is something specific you would like covered, please fill out the form below so that it can be shared with the community. Please note that this is a subscriber survey, so you may have to subscribe first (hint, hint…… 😉) : https://bmebites.beehiiv.com/forms/8d0dfdd1-4290-4e40-bff9-1f61b812c661

(Or you could also hit reply and give the details that way if it’s easier for you 😄)

Until next week, keep taking one S.T.E.P.S step at a time! (If you missed the issue explaining The S.T.E.P.S Formula, you can check that out here)

Warm regards,

Shari Ware Chief Encouragement Officer at B ME Bites

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