Uluru: Good Times at Red Centre
18th to 20th February 2017
Here's the thing about Uluru: It's spectacular. I could write a whole article about how breathtaking it is. I even got sick of the sound of my voice saying "wow" and "amazing" while we were there. It is truly, truly awe-inspiring.
We took a 3-day tour around Red Centre with Mulga's Adventures, and were lucky to have a guide, Ash, who knew so much about the history and geology of the area. We were also fortunate to have such a fun group to share our trip with, and managed to bump into some of the guys again on our way around New Zealand.
Our tour was focused on 1 major landmark per day, with Uluru as the opening act on day 1, Kata Tjuta (The Olgas) on day 2, and a spectacular hike around King's Canyon on our last day. Each night we settled into swags to sleep under the stars. Each morning we woke while it was still dark to catch the sun rising and start our hikes before the flies woke up and the sun got too high.
Here's another thing about Uluru: it's a success story in terms of co-operation between indigenous and non-indigenous Australians. At least, that's certainly how it feels when you're there.
In 1985, the Australian Government returned ownership of Uluru to its traditional owners, the Anangu. The Anangu are a tribe of Aboriginal (indigenous) Australians. Uluru is sacred to them, and for tens of thousands of years before the rest of us rocked up to Red Centre, the Anangu were taking care of this land, and passing on its stories to each new generation.
Today, when you visit Uluru and the surrounding sites of Kata Tjuta (the Olgas), and Kings Canyon, you'll find that these sites belong to their traditional owners, and that Aboriginal beliefs are respected at all times.
Local indigenous tribes work in partnership with the government to ensure the land is properly cared for, and that Aboriginal customs and beliefs are taught to tourists with care and accuracy.
Using both traditional Aboriginal methods and modern technology, they work together to help eradicate threats to the native wildlife, and encourage healthy growth in the unique flora and fauna that live around Uluru.
Travelling to Uluru is a fantastic way to begin understanding the origins of Australia's indigenous people and experience some of its most iconic landscape. Pack your hiking boots and a fly net, and get ready to be astonished!
Uluru Snapshots
- Sipping bubbles and getting to know our tour group as the sun set over Uluru and Kata Tjuta.
- Our cringe-worthy camel ride on the first morning. Fun fact: there are camels in the Northern Territory, even herds of wild camels roaming free.
- Nick nailing it with the statement that the landscape around Red Centre could easily be mistaken for Mars.
- Toasting marshmallows by the campfire at King's Cross Station.
- Trying to recreate an iconic Priscilla Queen of the Desert moment at King's Canyon.
- Stargazing in our swags and at our Uluru lookout.
- Feeling cosy as we zipped up our swags and fell asleep, only to wake up shivering with the sharp temperature drop around 2am.
- Ash playing "The Circle of Life" as we drove to the Kata Tjuta lookout for sun rise. It really was a bit of a lump in the throat moment. That may have just been me though!