uluru - kata tjuta
The most deeply spiritual place that always gives us a sense of belonging. This land is still inhabited by ancestors and spirits, and you can truly feel it in your heart and soul.
We travelled the 3.5hrs from Kings Canyon to Yulara along the Lasseter Highway. We passed our first wild camel, funnily enough on a Wednesday, hump day. We passed Artilla, Mt Connor, which often gets mistaken as Uluru. It is unofficially named 'Foolaroo' for a reason! This is near Curtin Springs where there is also a fuel station. Keep in mind that the cheapest fuel between here or Yulara, was in fact Yulara. We checked into site 12, our powered site at Ayres Rock Campground where we chose a slab site as we were staying for five nights. We had shade from the trees and backed onto a red sandy dune that had a path to the sunset viewing area. The campground has a pool, laundry and camp kitchen. The street names are also names of native animals in Anangu language.
The campground is part of the Ayres Rock Resort which gives you access to a free shuttle bus around Yalara Village. We went pool hopping between the different accommodation options in the village, which kept us cool in 40-45 degree dry heat. Sails in the Desert had a great pool with pods and daybeds. The best part was the lemon myrtle mojito by the pool! Yulara has a well stocked IGA with reasonable prices. You can also find a post office, restaurant, cafe and a few speciality shops. There is also a tourist information centre which will be a great place to visit as you arrive. Here you can find out all about the free cultural workshops on offer. There was 25% off accommodation, tours and attractions during our stay, another perk for travelling in the summer! There are so many tours and attractions to pick from but it might be best to book ahead to avoid disappointment.
wintjiri wiru
A magical evening we had watching the Wintjiri Wiru sound and light show. Unfortunately the drones couldn’t be flown as they failed the pre-show wind test, but that was fine with us as it meant we had a slight breeze to keep us cool while we enjoyed our grazing boxes while watching the sunset over Uluru and Kata Tjuta. The lasers were just as impressive! Wintjiri Wiru tells one of the Tjukurpa (Creation stories) from Uluru, the Mala story. Anangu Elders from Kaltukatjara and Mutitjulu have told the story in Anangu languages and interpreted in English. If you can’t make the show, you can still find out more information about the Mala story at the Cultural Centre. You can book through Voyages but be aware that they have a strict cancellation policy. As the drones couldn't be flown, Voyages gave us a 30% refund. They did contact us earlier in the day via email to let us know that it could be a possibility of no drones and offered an opportunity to reschedule if we wanted to.
Uluru - Kata Tjuta National Park has so much natural beauty on offer! You will need to purchase a seperate Uluru Kata Tjuta National Park Pass to enter. The Northern Territory National Parks Pass doesn't cover it. Its costs $38 per adult for 3 days with children under 18 years are free of charge. We planned our days so that we made the most of our pass and the cooler weather in the morning. When we visited, it was the fortieth anniversary of the title deed of Uluru-Kata Tjuṯa being handed back to the traditional custodians, the Aṉangu people. This will be greatly celebrated in October 2025.
kata tjuta
Kata Tjuṯa, previously known as The Olgas, means ‘many heads’ in Pitjantjatjara. It is an Aṉangu men’s site and is sacred under Tjukurpa (traditional law). We began the Valley of the Winds walk just as the sun was rising. It held up to its name with gusts blowing through the walls of the rock formations. Both Kara Lookout and Karingana Lookout, and the walk along the rocky trail between the lookouts, were spectacular and extremely sacred so no photographs or videos are permitted, however, it allows for an immersive walk encouraging you to really use the senses to feel, hear and take in the beauty of this spiritual site. This Grade 4 walk took us 2.5hrs to do 7.4km, with two water stations accessible for bushwalkers along the way. The track involves some loose rocks to navigate and step steps, but absolutely worthwhile. This track does close after 11am at the Karu Lookout when the weather is forecasted to be 36 degrees or above.
We also completed the Waḻpa (windy) Gorge walk. This is a Grade 3 walk that took us 45mins to do 2.6km. the wildflowers, the birds gliding between the sheer walls and the ancient riverbed made us appreciate the significance of this place. We visited the Cultural Centre on our way back, a fantastic and free educational site to learn more about the deep cultural ways of the Aṉangu people. We attended a cultural presentation about bush tools and bush tucker, and listened to how the rangers are protecting Mala, the rufous hare-wallaby. This free cultural presentation happens everyday at 11:30am. After a massive morning of bush walks, we treated ourselves to some Davidson Plum with cinnamon gelato at the Ininti Cafe which was delish!
uluru
We woke before first light and made our way to Talinguṟu Nyakunytjaku, the main sunrise viewing area for Uluṟu. There was plenty of space for everyone to find a spot either under a shelter, on the viewing platforms or along the kilometres of walking track. Iwara (songlines) can be felt and heard at Uluru. The Mala, Lungkata and Kuniya and Liru stories are retold in Pitjantjatjara and Yankunytjatjara languages along the base walk where you can see the sacred scripture in the forms of rock features and rock art. With the knowledge shared with us, we completed the base walk with a different lens from previous visits. We saw tjuta mai (many bush food) plants including wiriny-wirinypa (bush tomato), ili (native fig) and arnguli (native plum). The 10.6km walk took us 3.5hrs (our warriors rode their bikes) and it was the perfect pace to take everything in.
Even though this was our third visit, this visit was something special. It was unhurried, purposeful and wholesome. It included watching the glow of Uluru at both sunrise and sunset, and then staying until late into the night to enjoy some stargazing. We witnessed the planet parade and the rare G3 Atlas comet, with the acoustics of critters singing after dark and a sense of stillness in the air.
Even though this was our third visit, this visit was something special. It was unhurried, purposeful and wholesome. It included watching the glow of Uluru at both sunrise and sunset, and then staying until late into the night to enjoy some stargazing. We witnessed the planet parade and the rare G3 Atlas comet, with the acoustics of critters singing after dark and a sense of stillness in the air.
fly uluru
A pinch me moment! Something that I’ve dreamt about for years, to fly over Uluru and see her from a birds-eye view. And to do it with our eldest warrior, who is a plane enthusiast, made it all the more special. We’re still on a high! We booked the Uluru Rock Blast Scenic Flight which flew us over Uluru for a 20min flight. It was magnificent to see Uluru from the air with the pilot giving us commentary along the way.
We deeply immersed ourselves on Aṉangu Country for the five nights. We learned about Tjukurpa (the Dreaming), yarned with Aunties and saw Country through their artworks, sampled local bush foods, learned how to care for Country, connected with the Seven Sisters songlines, and learned some Pitjantjatjara - Yankunytjatjara language. We reflected on how grateful we are to have been shared these knowledges and experiences, and appreciate how it has shaped us as Australians. You can meet many Aunties in the Town Centre at Yulara who are often there with their artworks. Be sure to stop and have a yarn, and purchase some stunning artwork. The Aunties will explain the painting and sign it for you.
There is an Aṉangu saying, ‘See with your eyes, hear with your ears and feel with your heart.' That encapsulates everything about this ancient Country. Everyone must experience this sacred land at least once in their lifetime. With full hearts, it was time for us to make our way to Coober Pedy.
Peace + love,
There is an Aṉangu saying, ‘See with your eyes, hear with your ears and feel with your heart.' That encapsulates everything about this ancient Country. Everyone must experience this sacred land at least once in their lifetime. With full hearts, it was time for us to make our way to Coober Pedy.
Peace + love,