Destination Uluru

Now is a better time than ever to start exploring our own backyard and what better place to visit than Uluru. Take in the culture of Anangu, the traditional owners of Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park.

Five things to do Walk: Uluru

The best way to get up and close to Uluru is by walking around it. The self-guided base walk is about 10km and takes you around the entire rock. There are incredible ancient paintings and carvings by the Anangu people etched into Uluru. Plan to start walking early in the morning at parts of the track close as the temperature climbs. Keep in mind this is a sacred site and some areas are not to be photographed. (Tip: buy a fly face net in town as the pests are incessant.)

Visit: Kata Tjuta

Also known as The Olgas, Kata Tjuta is a formation of domed sandstone rocks around 40km west of Uluru and is just as spectacular. If you’re up for a challenge, the Valley of the Winds walk is a 7.4km (and at some points very steep) circuit that weaves through the domes and takes you to different viewing platforms. The scenery is impressive and while the rock formation is similar to Uluru, Kata Tjuta and the Valley of the Winds walk, through ancient formations and along a creek bed, is a unique experience.

Indulge: Sounds of Silence

The Sounds of Silence is a truly remarkable experience. It commences with a short walk to the top of a sand dune where we were met with canapes, sparkling wine and the sounds of a live didgeridoo performance. As the sun set over Uluru, we moved to a beautifully set table and enjoyed a local produce-inspired dinner. In the highlight of the night, the resident stargazer pointed out the constellations, galaxies, planets and shooting stars.

See: Field of Light

British artist Bruce Munro’s installation has become an iconic scene in the Red Centre. The Field of Light has more than 50,000 solar-powered bulbs that cover a space larger than seven football fields. Wander through the installation once the sun goes down and be mesmerised by the lights as they change colour against the night sky.

Watch: Sunset over Uluru

If you have arrived by car or plan on hiring one, the viewing area about a 15-minute drive from the town of Yulara is the best place to take photos as the sun sets over Uluru. Sit back and watch as the rock changes to a deep orange.

Ancient beauty ... clockwise, from above, majestic Uluru; the illuminated night sky; the Red Centre lives up to its name; hikers on the Valley of the Winds walk.