3 + ways to see Uluru

Sunrise at Uluru

One of the highlights of my outback tour with Groovy Grape was to see the majestical, massive and stunning rock formation, Uluru, or as named by the white settlers, Ayers Rock. There are many great ways to see Uluru and enjoy the unique atmosphere around the Uluru- Kata Tjuta national park. You can for example:

• Marvel Uluru during sunrise or sunset and see how it changes colour
• Do Uluru base walk and see that the surface of the rock is anything but even and smooth
• Jump from a plane and have the best skydive experience of your life
• Do a helicopter flight over Uluru
• Rent a bike and ride around Uluru
• Do a camel ride near Uluru
• Visit the cultural centre and learn to see Uluru through the eyes of the Anangu people who have lived in the area for thousands of years

The way not to experience Uluru:

• climb it (It is sacred place for the  indigenous people. The climbing route follows a sacred ceremonial path used only by some Mala men, only during very special occasions and ceremonies. You wouldn’t climb or enter to some holy areas in churches so why should you here?)

Sunset at Uluru

As there are several ways to see Uluru, there are also many ways of seeing it and understanding the meaning of it. The place is significant in several different ways. Geologically it is an interesting piece of art demonstrating how water, wind and sand have eroded the massive sandstone rock over millions of years. Uluru also has symbolical value being used to represent and symbol the outback, red centre and the whole Australia and the Australian people. It is the most recognised natural landmark and the most photographed natural object in Australia. It also has historical and cultural value, especially to the Anangu people who see Uluru as a sacred place and have been living in the area for tens of thousands of years. For them different holes, cracks, waterholes and corners of Uluru teach lessons and tell stories of what happened in the beginning of time when the land was inhabited by different creatures of animals, humans and combinations of them. The area of Uluru was, and still is, divided into men’s and female’s sections in which both genders did their own things unaware of what happened on the other side. For this reason, it is still forbidden to take pictures of some parts of the rock. In addition to all these aspects, or maybe due to them, Uluru also has significant financial value. It is a popular tourist destination, the whole resort town of Yulara is built to host the visitors, and different services and attractions help tourists to spend their dollars in the area. Not to mention all the postcards, souvenirs and other different artefacts that are being sold using Uluru.

Sunrise near Kata Tjuta

During our tour we saw Uluru during one sunset and two sunrises. One sunrise and the sunset were located very near the rock and you could see how the rising or setting sun transformed the colour of the rock. For the other sunrise we had to drive some 40 kilometres to a lookout near Kata Tjuta where we could see the sun rising behind Uluru. That was really worth waking up at 3.30 in the morning!

Even though this was my second time at Uluru, the place still had that magical vibe that I could feel during my first visit. Next time (and trust my words, there will be a next time), I will take my dad with me because I know that he would love the place as much as I do. Read about my first visit to Uluru here (in Finnish).