In Asia PacificDestinations on 12/04/17
Uluru from the air. The large orange rock is surrounded by orange earth dotted with green shrub

Uluru (Ayers Rock), Australia

"Travel makes one modest, you see what a tiny place you occupy in the world." Gustave Flaubert

I expected Uluru to be one of those tourist sites you look at for five minutes and you’re done.  As it turned out, after two days I still found a peaceful joy in staring at it.  It may be a rock but the landscape and colours bring it alive in a way that’s difficult to describe.

Uluru is a sacred Aboriginal and UNESCO world heritage site.  Formerly known as Ayers Rock it has reverted to its Aboriginal name in line with a growing recognition of the Aboriginal heritage and land rights in Australia.  It’s a special place and fortunately the development around the park has been discreet so as not to take away from the experience.

The 208 mile journey to Uluru from Alice Springs is as much as feast for the eyes as the rock itself.  No shopping malls or housing estates, just miles and miles of deep red sand and sparse green shrubs, all set against blue skies.  Nature, space, clean air.

 

Walking around the base of Uluru is a humbling experience, at 1000 feet high and with a circumference of nearly 6 miles I felt tiny next to it.  Up close the deep orange colour contrasts beautifully against the surrounding trees and shrubs.  Yet another example of the dramatic colours Australia’s natural environment has to offer.

 

The famous colour change really is the highlight of a visit to Kata Tjuta National Park.  There are several viewing areas at a suitable distance to take in the whole rock, where you can make yourself comfortable on a wooden bench surrounded by bush and alongside campers BBQing their dinner.

 

  • 7 photos of Uluru, showing the changing colours of sunset. Rust to orange to bright burning orange to pinky orange to redish pink, purple and then maroon
  • Our motorhome parked by a boabab tree on an orange dirt road Our motorhome
  • A road train - a truck with several trailers, parked on orange earth A road train, enormous things that criss cross the outback
  • Outback red earth
  • Bright orange sand set against a blue sky Outback burning earth
  • A rock at the side of an orange dirt road painted in 3 bands of black, yellow and red, in aboriginal style Aboriginal roadside rock

Getting there

Uluru/Ayers Rock airport is 15 miles from Uluru.  Most resorts offer free or cheap airport transfers.

Alice Springs is the nearest town, 208 miles and 6 hours away by road.  Several bus trips run to the Uluru resorts from £100 round trip including a stop in an outback town for refreshments.

If you’re feeling adventurous, add this into a road trip with a car or motorhome

Transport

Most resorts offer free or cheap transfers to Uluru during the day, or car hire is available.

Accommodation

There’s not much choice but what there is covers most budgets, including camping, apartments and hotels.

Official dining options are resort based, including some lovely outdoor options

Activities

All activities make the most of the stunning natural environment; guided tours, bushwalking, art workshops.

There are a variety of airplane and helicopter flights from £70.

Shopping

The Uluru visitors centre has some lovely indigenous arts and crafts.

Cost

Uluru is above average for Australia in cost but worth every penny.

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