Travelers spend a great deal of time weighing the pros and cons of the east coast of Australia and the west coast before booking their vacation. However, the Northern Territory and the heart of the country has a number of unmissable attractions as well. Namely, the mystical sandstone monolith of Uluru, AKA Ayers Rock.
There are so many strange myths surrounding Uluru, a sacred place for the Indigenous people of Australia which is part of the reason why you can't climb the mountain itself. Although there are other hiking opportunities in the area. Between that and the history and lore of the lands, thousands of tourists travel into Australia's "Red Centre" in Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park to see it.
Anyway, while you can't hike Australia's Uluru (AKA Ayers Rock), here's why it's sacred and how to tour it.
10 Because Uluru Is So Sacred To The Ingenious People, It Can No Longer Be Hiked
There are a number of things that all tourists need to know before booking a trip to Australia such as the number of products you can't bring into the country. But another important piece of information is that you can't climb Australia's most famous mountain. Although, technically, Uluru is more of sandstone rock that Indigenous Australians believe started forming around 550 million years ago. Uluru, which is located about 450KM away from the town of Alice Springs, is just one of 36 red-rock domes of the Kata Tjuta ("The Olgas") in the Northern Territory's national park. But Uluru is exceptionally sacred to the Yankunytjatjara and Pitjantjatjara people as they believe the souls of their ancestors dwell within the rock. This is the reason the Uluru climb was permanently closed in 2017, according to AyersRockResort.com.
9 Hiking Around The Base Of Uluru Is Still Allowed... And Is Great Exercise
Uluru is the spiritual heart of Australia and therefore there is a small entry fee for the National Park that it's in, Uluru-Kata Tjuta, but there's a number of free things you can do while there including hiking around the base of the structure. While you may be disappointed that you can't climb on top of it, the 10.6 KM walk around it is pretty stunning. Not to mention, it's great exercise. In the heat of the day, it can be quite grueling, so bring tons of water.
8 Areas Near Uluru Have Incredible Hiking Options
While you can't hike Uluru, you can hike many other similar rock formations in the area. If you've traveled all the way out into the middle of the Northern Territory, you may as well travel an hour or two away from Uluru to get to hike the other "Three Giants", after all, walking them is the best way to experience these epic places. 50 KM from Uluru is Kata Tjuta, which has three established trails around it's 36 steep domes, including the 7.4KM Valley of the Winds at the heart of the mountain. There's also a challenging 5000step climb at Kings Canyon, 300KM away from Uluru, and the Giles Track overnight walk.
7 There Are A Number Of Touring Options For Experiencing Uluru
Multiple tour options offered through Sight Seeing Tour Australia, Ayers Rock Resort, Adventure Tours, Travel OutBack Australia, and Uluru Tours Australia, the latter has numerous options to suit your every need. A 1-day tour from Alice Springs will cost about $255 each and includes transport from Alice Springs through the picturesque Outback, packed lunches, cultural experiences, and a sunset BBQ. They also offer swag camping trips from Alice Springs and Darwin that take you to Uluru and number of the other stunning mountains in the area.
6 Bruce Munro's Field Of Light At Uluru Is Just A Magical Experience
While typical visits to the Field of Light costs around $43, according to Australia.com, there are a number of experiences that can be had there, and therefor prices differ. For instance, you can enjoy a five-star dinner surrounded by the 50,000 spindles of solar-powered lights in the desert for about $300. There's even a camel-riding tour that takes you through it. However you chose to enjoy this exhibit, chances are you'll be gobsmacked by just how mesmerizing his fantasy garden truly is, especially at sunrise. Field of Light Uluru is the largest of Bruce Munro's worldwide art installations. It covers more than seven football fields worth of space near the base of Uluru.
5 Helicopters And Plane Tours Give Guests A Unique And Thrilling Look At Uluru
There's no question about it, seeing anything from the sky is thrilling. When it comes to Uluru, chartering a small plane or helicopter tour over the landscape gives you a chance to see just how strange this rock truly is. Most tours, which can get pricey, take you over the domes of Kata Tjuta and hover over Kings Canyon as well as the table-top Mount Conner. You'll also get to admire the ever-changing colors of Lake Amadeus and spot wild camels and horses, and maybe even a dingo, living in their natural habitat.
4 Camping And Glamping On The Breathtaking And Mythical Landscape
According to Northern Terrictory.com, there are a number of different camping and glamping options in the Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park. Purchasing a pass to the park will allow you to pitch your own tent in a number of different campsites found throughout. Camping tours even provide all the equipment necessary so you don't have to worry about it. As for glamping, companies like Longitude131 offer out-of-this-world accommodations at their resort glamping site which includes a restaurant/bar and sweeping views of Uluru. Just prepare to fork over a ton of money to be able to enjoy it.
3 Experience Uluru Through The Eyes Of Those Who've Dwelled There Long Before Us
Perhaps one of the best ways to experience and tour Uluru is through the Aboriginal Cultural Center, which was built in 1995 to mark the 10th anniversary of the handover of Uluru back to the traditional owners. The cultural talks, demonstrations, and tours are a great way to learn about the sacred lore of this amazing natural landmark. Any of the Aboriginal owned and operated tour companies in the National Park tend to offer a pricey but significant, moving, and completely authentic experience.
2 Indulge Yourself With The Sounds Of Silence Dinner And Astronomy Adventure
Imagine sitting out in the red desert with a glass of sparkling wine and a full three-course meal in front of you. Well, that's exactly what you get at the Sounds of Silence dinner at Uluru. According to Ayers Rock Resort, the Sound of Silence dinner experience costs $225 per person but it's truly not an experience to miss. After guests taste the buck tucker-inspired delicacies that are paired with fine Australian wines, an astronomer breathes life into the blanket of stars and planets that covers the night sky. It's a moving adventure to say the least.
1 Skydiving Over Uluru Is Only For The Bravest Among Us
Skydiving anywhere takes courage, but plummeting over a rocky, red desert is about as scary as it gets. At least, for some people. After all, the various skydiving tours, such as Skydive Uluru and Rock The Sky are hugely popular. You just have to be a daredevil to try it. Parachute rides are one of the most incredible experiences that these companies offer as it's less about the fall and more about the gentle gliding to the ground while taking in every minute of the stunning landscape.