LOOKING FORWARD 9
THESUNDAYMAIL.COM.AU SUNDAY FEBRUARY 19 2017
RED, as rusty red as you ever imagined, and big enough to been seen from space, Uluru is at the top of many Aussie bucket lists. But like so many landmark destinations, it often gets pushed until “later”. For senior Australians, later is now. Retirement frees up time to discover the parts of our continent we’ve always dreamed of visiting. Surrounded by kilometres of flat red sand covered with sparse vegetation, Uluru resonates with deep spirituality for some, while for others it marks the centre of our great continent. Either way it deserves planned exploration. The first Uluru glimpse for many visitors starts with a fly over as the plane lands at Ayers Rock Airport, about 20 minutes’ drive from the rock. Keep watching as the bus travels to your accommodation as there are plenty of glimpses across the desert along the way. It’s all about timing at this destination. From the best time to visit to the best time to view the rock. First, pick your month. The shoulder seasons of early spring and late autumn are preferred by many because the temperatures are moderate. Despite its well-deserved reputation as a hot spot, central Australia also can be cruelly cold in winter in the hours before sunrise and after sunset. Watching the sunrise lighting Uluru and its sky is an experience that’s hard to forget. But you’ll need to make a punishingly early start for this expedition to the viewing platforms inside Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park. Follow a sunrise viewing with a billy tea, and Golden Syrup-topped damper brekkie, and you’ll feel like a true-blue Aussie. What other ways are there to experience the rock? Hop on the back of a friendly camel and wander through the dunes until Uluru emerges from the red sandy desert or take a spin around the rock on the back of a Harley Davidson motorcycle.
ROCK OF AGES
Now is the time to experience the mighty Australian icon that is Uluru. Kerry Heaney explains when and how to see the rock at its best Ride the rock under your own power on a 15km self-guided bicycle tour. Great for families, this option gives you plenty of opportunities to explore at a leisurely pace. From the air, Uluru’s magic is revealed in many ways with deep valleys and layers of colour. Scenic flights are available in light aircraft and helicopters.
Now extended until March 2018, acclaimed British artist Bruce Munro’s installation Field of Light Uluru (pictured, top) is an extraordinary new sunset drawcard to Uluru. Composed of more than 50,000 stems topped with glowing glass spheres, the work covers the size of four football fields with Uluru as a backdrop. It is illuminated entirely by solar power.
Walking around the base of Uluru takes you winding through acacia woodlands, past giant bloodwoods and close enough to touch the powerful, snake-like grooves of the rock. You’ll discover the story of the blue-tongued lizard man, view the home of the ancestral watersnake and learn how Uluru was formed. It takes around three and a half hours to complete the walk. A base walk instead of a climb also respects the wishes of the traditional owners of the land, the Tjukurpa and Anangu. You’ll add another early start to your agenda with a viewing of the 36,500 million-year-old rock domes of Kata Tjuta, also known as The Olgas, which is about an hour’s drive from Uluru. Follow this with a walk through the Valley of the Winds and return at dusk for a sunset viewing if you can. Night dining in the desert is another way to appreciate the immense scope of the land and sky. Although the Sounds of Silence dinner is closer to Uluru, the more intimate Tali Wiru offers the most memorable fine dining experience. The evening includes champagne and canapes while the sun sets to the sound of a didgeridoo and dishes, including kangaroo rillettes and Darling Downs wagyu, are matched with fine Australian wine. While careful planning and timing can make your visit more pleasant, whenever you see Uluru, rain or shine, it is an impressive sight that will leave lasting memories. Stay and play: Ayers Rock Campground has cabins from $174 per night (ayersrockresort.com.au). Sails in the Desert has a two-night minimum room only rate of $404 a night (ayersrockresort.com.au). Sites to see: parksaustralia.gov.au/uluru, australia.com
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