6 reasons why you NEED to visit Uluru
Uluru is our greatest natural wonder, an awe-inspiring piece of rock that has to be seen to be believed. People travel from all over the world to see it, yet a surprising number of Australians never make the trek. Here’s why you don’t want to miss out.
1. First and foremost, Uluru is stunningly beautiful. No matter how many times you’ve seen it in pictures or on television, nothing compares to that first look at the big red rock. Try to catch it at sunrise or sunset when the colours come alive and it seems to glow from within.
2. Australian aboriginal culture is recognised as the oldest in the world, and at Uluru you can learn about the Anangu tribe, the traditional owners of the land. The Cultural Centre is a great place to start and will give you an insight into their ancient way of life. You can also catch a free music and dance performance at the Ayers Rock Resort – and even join in at the end.
3. One of the best ways to see the area is on foot. The most popular walking trail runs around the base of the rock, but further afield you can visit secluded waterholes, rock art sites and soaring gorges. If you don’t want to go it alone, park rangers lead free guided-tours every day. For something a bit different, take a guided walk through the gardens of the resort to learn about bush tucker and traditional medicine.
4. Uluru is a great place to pick up some traditional Aboriginal art native to the Red Centre, which will make a fantastic memento of your trip. Maruku Arts in the Cultural Centre has a huge variety of paintings, crafts and jewellery, or there are a number of galleries and markets spread across the resort itself. Don’t miss the chance to see the artists in residence at work at Desert Oak Studio.
5. The area around Uluru is desert, but a surprising number of plants and animals thrive in this harsh, dry environment. Alongside the spinifex grass and eucalyptus groves, brightly coloured wild flowers burst into bloom after the rain. You’ll be most likely to see birds and reptiles (like lizards and snakes) but small wallabies, marsupial moles, red kangaroos and bat can also be found.
6. As if the rock itself wasn’t enough, there are some once in a lifetime experiences to be had while you’re there. The famous Sounds of Silence evening starts with dune-top canapés and goes on to a multi-course, white tablecloth dinner under the stars with an astronomer in residence to point out the constellations. You can ride a camel through the dunes at sunset, ride a Harley Davidson around the base of the rock or take a helicopter joyride as the sun rises. Ever wanted to learn how to throw a boomerang or native spear? You can try it out every afternoon at Ayers Rock Resort – though be warned, it’s much harder than it looks.
Related links:
6 of the best Australian mountains to climb
Australian travel to-do list: 2015