There’s never been a better time to visit the outback
By John Ninness
One of Australia’s most iconic attractions, Uluru, formerly known as Ayers Rock, has drawn visitors from around the world with its striking natural beauty but now it’s all ours to explore! As many of our readers already know, Uluru is located in a remote part of Australia’s Outback, but this remote wilderness contains many attractions aside from the rock itself that make it a worthy destination for exploration. Life Begins At magazine has assembled some top new ideas for your first or next visit to Uluru.
While there’s been a few closures during COVID-19, Uluru is now open and ready for your next visit.
Uluru Experiences for you to enjoy
View Uluru as the sun rises or sets
Let’s face it. A big reason why you’re going to Uluru is for the gorgeous sunrise and sunset views, when the Rock changes colours from orange to pinkish red to a dull purple. There are many good places from which to view the sunrise or sunset, both inside Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park and from several other vantage points nearby. If you’re looking for close-up views of Uluru, consider taking the 10-kilometer hike around its base. You can also rent a bicycle and cycle your way around or view it from the back of a camel.
Experience indigenous culture
The traditional inhabitants of the Uluru area, the Anangu people, have learned to thrive in the region’s harsh desert climate. While many people come to Uluru just to see the Rock, learning about Anangu culture will enrich your experience at Uluru and give you a deeper understanding of the landscape, many features of which are tied to the stories and traditions of the Anangu people. There are a variety way to explore indigenous culture. The Cultural Centre at Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park provides a good overview of information about the Anangu. Ayers Rock Resort, which manages all accommodations in the area, offers activities, such as dot-painting workshops, led by Anangu teachers. Additionally, the community of Yulara, close to Uluru, hosts art galleries and museums featuring works by indigenous artists. For a deeper dive into Anangu culture, consider taking an extended tour of the area led by an Anangu guide.
Go stargazing
Clear skies and a lack of urban light pollution make the Uluru area ideal for stargazing. Ayers Rock Resort offers guided stargazing tours, many of which are geared toward families. On a stargazing tour, you’ll have a chance to peer through a telescope to see stars that are invisible to the naked eye as well as learn the Anangu stories about certain constellations.
Take a camel ride
Camels from Afghanistan were introduced into the Australian Outback in the 19th century, and since then, they’ve proliferated and now number in the hundreds of thousands. If you’ll be visiting Australia’s desert, why not immerse yourself in the desert experience by taking a camel ride? The company Uluru Camel Tours offers sunrise, sunset or “express” camel rides. Snacks are included in some of the excursions.
Go skydiving
If seeing Uluru isn’t exciting enough for you, maybe it’s time to get your adrenaline pumping. Thousands of people each year visit Uluru, but how many get to see it from thousands of feet up, as they jump out of a plane? The company Skydive Uluru provides tandem jumps from 10,000 or 12,000 feet with experienced professional instructors. It’s not a cheap activity, but you’ll enjoy lifetime bragging rights!
Dine under the stars.
For a meal with a view, you could hardly pick a more scenic location than Uluru. The Ayers Rock Resort’s Sounds of Silence dinner provides guests with a unique experience consisting of a buffet featuring local ingredients, didgeridoo music and stargazing in an outdoor location with a prime view of the Rock. The Sounds of Silence is one of the most popular activities at Uluru and can be booked through your hotel or at the tourism office in Yulara’s town square.
Explore the Kata Tjutas
Also known as the Olgas, the Kata Tjutas are a collection of rock formations near Uluru and easily visible from Yulara. Although Uluru steals the show in terms of international prestige, many visitors regard the Kata Tjutas to be just as striking as Uluru. Photographers especially enjoy capturing the unique shapes of these rock formations. Hiking trails of various lengths allow you to explore the Kata Tjutas in more depth. Your pass to Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, good for three days, includes entrance to both Uluru and the Kata Tjutas.
Getting There
Connellan Airport, commonly known as Ayers Rock Airport, serves the small community of Yulara, the closest settlement to the Rock. Yulara is where most accommodations and services for Uluru are located.
Direct flights to Yulara from major coastal cities such as Sydney and Melbourne take about three hours. There are also flights to Yulara from a handful of other Australian cities, including Alice Springs, the nearest urban hub.
Alternatively, you can drive or take a bus to Yulara from Alice Springs. The trip is about four and a half hours by car or more than eight hours by bus on a sealed road.
If you like a challenge you could fly into Darwin and take the 1963 km drive (20 hours) from Darwin to Uluru and enjoy some of the great sites of the Territory on the way down.
“A big reason why you’re going to Uluru is for the gorgeous sunrise and sunset views, when the Rock changes colours from orange to pinkish red to a dull purple.”
Getting Around
Free shuttle buses transport guests on the fifteen-minute journey from the airport to Yulara, with stops at each hotel. No reservation is required. Another free shuttle bus regularly loops around all the accommodations and the town square of Yulara. A paid shuttle bus makes several trips per day between Yulara and Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park. The trip takes about twenty minutes. Tickets must be purchased in advance from your hotel or from the tourist information center in Yulara’s town square. Your shuttle bus ticket doesn’t include the park entrance fee. If you have your own vehicle, you can visit Uluru and the nearby Kata Tjutas on your own timetable. Rental car options from several major companies are available at the airport.
Accommodation
You’ll find a variety of accommodations in Yulara, from a campsite to apartments to a five-star luxury hotel. The Ayers Rock Resort company manages all accommodations in the area, and reservations can be made through their website: ayersrockresort.com.au. Reserving your accommodations in advance is highly recommended, especially in Uluru’s peak tourist season of June through September.
Dining
Since the Uluru area plays host to tourists from all over the world, the dining options in Yulara cater to many different tastes, from a well-stocked grocery store to casual cafes and upscale restaurants. You can dine on pizza, Mediterranean fare or Asian fusion cuisine, or try a dish with local ingredients from the Outback. Reservations are only required at a few of the most upscale restaurants, and usually only for dinner.
Useful tips for your next visit
Consider the climate
Uluru is located in a desert environment of climate extremes, with summer temperatures that regularly top 40 degrees Celsius and winter temperatures that can dip below freezing at night. To avoid the heat, many people visit Uluru in the winter, from June through September, when daytime temperatures are mild and pleasant for outdoor activities. The shoulder seasons of spring and fall are also good times to visit Uluru. In the summer, many attractions might be closed or off-limits during daytime hours because of the heat. No matter what time of the year you visit Uluru, you should always drink plenty of water, especially if you’re engaging in active pursuits, and be sure to pack your sunblock or other sun protection gear.
Climbing the rock is now not permitted. The closure stems from the sacredness of Uluru to the Anangu people. Past visitors will understand that for many years the Anangu law and culture frowned upon walking the rock and climbs were prohibited after October 2019. Ultimately. the climb was strenuous and was deadly to many people over the years with climbers risking dehydration and heat stroke in oven-like temperatures.
If you’re like me and decide to take on the rock circumference walk you should definitely bring bug repellent or get a fly net or veil. The black flies in the Uluru area don’t sting or bite, but they can be annoying, incessantly swarming around the eyes and ears.
You can combat the flies with bug repellent, or, for a local type of look, purchase a fly net hat from one of the stores in Yulara’s town square. You might feel silly putting a net over your head, but you’ll appreciate it when you’re admiring the view of Uluru without having to constantly swat flies away from your face.
Amenities are limited
Because Uluru is located in such a remote area, it has limited services and amenities. However, it offers a better selection of products and services than you might expect from such an isolated location, with several restaurants, a grocery store, a post office, souvenir shops and a medical clinic. Police and fire services are also available, if needed. Prices are high at Uluru due to its remote location.
Uluru’s natural scenery, thriving traditional culture and plethora of activities make it an exciting destination for the entire family. Plus,
with a wide variety of accommodations, dining options and transportation on offer, a vacation to Uluru can be customized to fit the preferences of every traveller.
There’s never been a better time to head off to Uluru for Australian travelers. There are some great specials on offer from many of the Territories travel providers who have been constrained with the onset of COVID-19.
We’re sure your support would make a difference! As the locals say ‘Palya’ you’re definitely welcome.
This article appeared in the Summer 2021 edition of Life Begins At… Click here to read or here to subscribe and never miss an issue!
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