24 hours at Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park

Uluru is spectacular during the day and night, and each part of the day offers a different experience.

A perfect way to begin your whistle-stop tour of the national park is by watching the sun rise over the 36 domes of the Kata Tjuta. Head to one of the specially designed viewing areas and watch as the sun peeks from behind the beautiful rocks, illuminating the area and creating a silhouette of Uluru in the distance.

Once the sun has risen and the temperature slowly rises, it’s the perfect time to walk through the Valley of the Winds, the track that runs through the Kata Tjuta domes. With the sun still low in the sky, the rocks cast long shadows across the landscape, providing a dramatic backdrop for your early morning stroll. If you fancy a challenge, then you can tackle the full 3-4 hour track, but if you’re looking to save time then the 1 hour walk to the Karu lookout provides you with an easily negotiable walk with jaw-dropping views.

The next stop on your trip is the Cultural Centre, where you can deepen your knowledge of the Anangu people, the indigenous owners of the land. Here, park staff and the Anangu offer free presentations every weekday at 10 am. Love art? Then see the Walkatjara Art centre and marvel at the ancient dot paintings created by the local people.

After exploring the cultural centre, its time to see the rock that symbolises Australia, Uluru. You can see the rock on foot, by bike or even by Segway and the way you choose to see it is totally up to you. Personally, I like to experience it by bike, allowing me to travel the 15km route around the monolith, making regular stops as I go.

A highlight of a trip to Uluru is the rock paintings. There are around 80 of these sites at the rock, and many of them have viewing platforms to give you the best vantage point. As with any of the cultural sites of Uluru, the Aboriginal owners ask that you do not post pictures to social media. The art and rock formations are there to teach those who behold them, and their images are not for wide dissemination among people who have not visited Uluru.

After a day of exploration, it’s time to watch the sunset. Head to the viewing area and watch as the red rock glows with dramatic intensity, showcasing this unique landscape. For an unforgettable experience, dine at the Sounds of Silence restaurant. As you sample the local Australian cuisine, you’ll hear the gentle hum of a didgeridoo in the background as the pale blue sky turns to black and the dazzling stars appear. Uluru is one of the best places in Australia to try out stargazing and the views of the Milky Way are second to none.

End your day by camping under the stars, full of delicious food and replaying memories of your incredible day, all under the watchful gaze of the star-studded night sky.

Recommended Uluru Tours: 1 Day Uluru Tour from Alice Springs
Price: $245
Company: Sightseeing Tours Australia

This posted was originally posted on https://sightseeingtoursaustraliaonline.wordpress.com/2019/11/11/24-hours-at-uluru-kata-tjuta-national-park/