Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park

If you haven’t been – I would highly suggest you get booking! This has most definitely been one of my favourite trips in Australia.

Another golden opportunity, due to COVID this is the only time you will not be at Uluru with thousands of other tourists. This means you would be able to absorb the spiritual home of the red centre.

It will not dissapoint.

How to get there

There are a couple of ways you can get to Uluru, but unless you’re doing a road trip through Alice Springs or have A LOT of time on your hands I would highly recommend taking a flight.

The best thing about flying into Uluru, the resort knows when the flights come in and go out so you will be easily picked up and taken to your accommodation.

We flew Jetstar – short flight and easy in and out.

Where to stay

Ayers Rock Resort

At Uluru, there is only one place tourists can stay and that is Ayers Rock Resort. The resort is made up of a few hotels ranging from 5* to a more affordable style and also a campsite.

We stayed at Sails in the Desert, where we had a wonderful room and a on-site pool to rest at after the days tours. The pool also has a great pool bar which is open til 3/4pm most days. I am pretty sure this is the only pool in the whole resort… which on some of the 42c plus days is a most welcome sight on return.

The hotel also has an onsite restaurant. You would be wise to book all of your evenings meals if you are no busy with the Sounds of Silence Dinner or the Field of Lights.

What to do

BOOKING IS ESSENTIAL FOR ALL TOURS

I could not make this more clear. We went very close after the borders were re-opened, which meant we were treated to nearly no tourists, however, we still almost missed out on some of the tours.

There are a couple of great companies which can book this all for you – we used: Uluru

SEIT Tour 

To fully experience Uluru up close, and learn about its cultural significance, I would highly recommend taking a tour. I would highly recommend SEIT tours and if you are lucky enough to get their tour guide Ryan – you are in for a treat.

SEIT only take max 11 people to Uluru, thus missing out of the 50pax buses, which can make the whole experience quite touristy and remove the spiritual feel you gain when near the rock.

We set off at 4am to get there in time for Sunrise and before the heat. We were lucky enough not to experience flies but it is highly recommended you do take a fly net with you.

A lovely breakfast is supplied but I would recommend taking an extra bottle of water with you to keep hydrated. Be sure you also take a jumper – it was quite chilly before the sun came up.

I do not want to tell you much more as its mystery is what makes it so alluring.

Kata Djuta

SEIT also run tour to Uluru’s lesser known sister Kata Djuta.

Your tour guide will meet at the Ayers Rock Resort and will travel through the landscape to the entrance of Uluru Kata Tjuta National Park. From there is it a 40 kilometres journey through the desert landscape to Kata Djuta.

Here you will enjoy sunrise at the viewing area you walk to the best vantage point to see this spiritual place while watching the sun rise and fill the desert full of life. After sunrise, you will head closer to Kata Djuta to relax and enjoy a picnic breakfast.

After this you will take a hike through the centre of the ginormous rock formations that make up Kata Djuta. It is definitely worth a visit.

Sounds of Silence

Possibly the most spectacular thing I have ever done.

Treated to sunset with the sounds of the dessert with a welcome champagne or drink of choice.

Following this you are led to your dining table situated in the middle of dessert to start your night.

Again, no spoilers. But be prepared to mesmerized.

Field of Lights

The critically acclaimed Field of Light by the internationally celebrated artist Bruce Munro is on display and due to popular demand, has now been extended indefinitely. THANK GOODNESS.

The exhibition, aptly named Tili Wiru Tjuta Nyakutjaku or ‘looking at lots of beautiful lights’ in local Pitjantjatjara is Munro’s largest work to date.

You are welcomed with canapes and a glass of bubbles before you are invited into the immersion fantasy garden of 50,000 spindles of light, the stems breathing and swaying through a sympathetic desert spectrum of deep violet, blue and gentle white.

Do’s and Don’t

Do

• Pack all toiletries, medical and home comforts you need. There is one IGA and its not cheap.
• Bring a camera
• Bring a fly net
• Bring good walking shoes
• Bring a jumper
• Bring something to wrap around you in the evening – it get’s cold even in peak summer at night in the desert
• Book all your activities and dinner reservations
• Listen, learn and lap up the spiritual sense of the whole place

Don’t

• Be disrespectful towards the indigenous culture and respect Uluru
• Keep your camera away when requested to do so
• Be late for your tour 🙂

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