Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park is a magic place and home to two iconic rock formations, Uluru “Ayers Rock” probably the most famous rock in the world and it’s not so well known counterpart, Kata Tjuta. They’re located in the middle of Australia in one of the flattest, driest and least populated continents on earth, second only to Antarctica on all three counts.
I’ve always wanted to visit the centre of Australia especially to see Ayres Rock and it was an ambition of mine to summit to the top of the rock. While I was in Melbourne it was the perfect opportunity to take a direct flight (2 hrs 40 mins) and go and have a few days exploring and learning about one of the world’s most beautiful natural wonders and the culture of the Anangu Aboriginal people. Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park is special for a number of reasons, in 1987 it was listed for its outstanding natural values and in 1994 it was recognised for its outstanding cultural values. There are only three other places in the world that hold a dual world heritage listing.
* Before you can enter the park you need to pay an entry fee of $25, which is valid for three consecutive days.
Day 1
One of the most vibrant times in the National Park is seeing the sunrise against the backdrop of Uluru.
This was the perfect way to start the day; however, it did involve getting up at 5.20 am to catch the 5.45 am coach out to the rock, but it was worth it! What a way to start the day! The colours were spectacular, and you could see the red of the rocks come alive!
After watching the sunrise it was another short bus ride to Mala car park. This was the start point of one of the most popular tours, the Uluru Base Walk. This is a 10.6 km loop and takes about 3.5 hrs. During the walk you get to hear about the Anangu people and the stories that pertain to the rock. The walk is flat and easy to do; anyone with a moderate fitness level will be able to do the tour. Just make sure you take lots of water.