Uluru-Kata Tjuta Nation Park - Travel Day

After checking out of the hotel we boarded our motor coach (translation to US English - bus) for the journey to Uluru, stopping for morning “tea” at a typical Outback roadhouse along the way. The drive from Alice Springs to Uluru is about 310 miles. We made a couple stops along to way at “Road Houses”, more or less truck stops. Think of it as an independent Stuckey’s along the road of America, if you’re my age, or Buckey’s if you’re my kid’s age. A place to stop for a beverage and a potty break. But Australian roadhouses also serve the many traveling Australians who make annual treks across the country. So more like a mini KOA for an overnight visit on your family road trip vacation. The trucks we saw were referred to as road trains. In the US trucks can pull a series of two trailers. At one Road House we saw a truck with six trailers being pulled. You can see the typical things such as a bull dozer and some construction items, but on the end you can also see his camper and a personal vehicle. Guess when the haul is finished, the family will make it a road trip back.

In the middle of landscape in the arid heartland of Australia are the geological marvels of Uluru, which is owned by the local Aboriginal Australian people. Uluru, a magnificent red sandstone monolith, boasts a circumference of 5.5 miles and stands at 1,098 feet high. For thousands of years, this iconic rock has held immense significance for the Aboriginal peoples of the Western Desert, serving as a focal point for religious, cultural, and economic activities. The caves around its base, adorned with ancient paintings, once provided shelter to these early peoples. (Karen’s input — sort of like Stone Mountain in Georgia. How did that big rock land, or become unearthed in the middle of a completely different landscape? In the US, we turn it into an amusement park, in Australia it gained religious significance to the indigenous people.) For many years, the state owned the area, and gave it a European name - Ayers Rock. It was the thing to climb, just because you could. In 1985 the Australian government returned ownership of the area to the local indigenous tribe, and allowed it to return to its sacred nature. So people who recall being able to climb the rock are dating themselves.

There is another rock formation nearby, Kata Tjuta. Both of these sites are in a national park area. Another beautiful vista.

Uluru (Ayer’s Rock)

Driving to the base of Uluru, we heard an interesting lecture on the significance of this sacred Aboriginal site, deepening our appreciation for its cultural heritage. Finally, we were given the chance to hike around the base, and we marveled at its massive size, the sheer scale and vivid colors of the rock leaving a lasting impression.

After exploring the base as much as we could on foot, we then circled the large rock by bus, making a few stops. It was massive. Limits on walking around the entire site were time, and heat. It was a balmy 104 degrees. Thankfully down from the 120 it had been the previous week. One side of the formation is a zone we were told not to take pictures, due to its religious significance to the aborigines. There are also folklore and stories that only may be shared by certain people. Most of it related to ensuring traditions are maintained. After circling Uluru we then headed to a viewing area to enjoy the sunset with a glass of champagne. As the sun set, the colors of the landscape changed by the minute. While everyone was watching Uluru, I turned around to catch the sunset. Gorgeous.

Kata Tjuṯa

After breakfast we checked out of our rooms, boarded the bus and headed to Kata Tjuṯa before heading to the airport. Kata Tjuṯa consists of 36 conglomerate domes (formerly called the Olgas). These one-of-a-kind geological phenomena rise from the surrounding bronzed, pancake-flat desert plains with an unexpected beauty.

Touring the formations allows you to admire their changing shades and shapes at varying times of day. Our guide provided how both Uluru and Kata Tjuta are central to the local Anangu people’s Dreaming beliefs. After admiring the strange formation we headed to the small airport. Next stop…Cairns..!