My bucketlist trip No 2

[Justinf]

After the jostling and clamouring for positions at the viewing platform it was a nice change to be back down at ground level and to be able to see the Rock up close. The 12km walk was long, and some really struggled to keep up but everyone comlpleted it in the end. The tour guide was knowledgeable if a little lacking in personality.
There are some parts of the ROck that you are asked not to photpgraph because they are sacred to the Anangu people.

 

[Justinf]

 

[Justinf]

 

[Justinf]

The tour itself was good, but a few observations. The first hour or so was spent walking away from the rock and at a brisk pace. Unless you strained your neck the whole time, there were very limited views of the Rock. The whole pace of the tour was brisk, which is fine for me as I am fit and exercise a lot, but for most others it was an ordeal. I would hate to see people doing this tour in the heat. We didn't stop a lot. the times that we did stop (at a cave, cave paintings, waterhole etc) was terrific and it was explained well by the guide. Once we got on the far side of the rock, the views were much better but as that was the side that receives the least amount of sunshine, it got cool again, which wasn't a bad thing.
they have had quite a wet past few months. The locals were saying it is currently the greenest it has been for 20 years. Great if you like green, but I was hoping to see more of the red dirt. Anyhoo, you can't fight mother nature. Water is life out here.

 

[Justinf]

I'm not going to get into the emotive subject of climbing the rock too much as I have seen how passionate people get when arguing their point. But this is a pic of people climbing it. it's a very steep climb with not much to hold onto. The descent looks very dangerous indeed. 15 people have died climbing.
Despite the probably amazing views from the top, I did not climb the rock and neither did my daughter although I gave her the option to if she wanted. I, and the tour guide, explained that the Anangu people ask that we don't so neither of us did. Never mind the fact that a 12km walk was already more than enough for Liv without climbing the damn thing. Getting up close and walking all around the Rock was enough for us to appreciate the stark beauty of it.
Each to their own though. If anyone reading this has climbed the Rock, that's your business, not mine.

 

[UpInTheAir:)]

Wonderful photos! I have never been but now could be tempted thanks Justinf

 

[Mattg]

Enjoying this just as much as your first TR. Uluru is definitely on my bucket list too - no doubt I'll get there sometime over the next few years.

Thanks for taking the time to write another great trip report

 

[love_the_life]

Isn't the rock the most amazing thing? It has a real spiritual feel to it. Until I had been out to that area for work, I really didn't have much of a desire to visit but after seeing the red soil and Uluru from afar as we drove past (not allowed to stop on the permit we had) I was keen to go back. We were lucky and had a really cheap JQ fare.
We had relatives from Canada visiting Australia in March and although they only had one night at Uluru they counted it as a highlight of their trip.
Thanks for the photos justinf. They are fantastic. Hope your daughter loved the trip.

 

[JohnM]

BP scanned .

 

[snabbu]

Uluru really is something that you need to see with your own eyes. As good as pictures are, it is as you said, breathtaking in the flesh.

Another great report Justinf!

 

[kermatu]

Uluru is one of those rare places that, despite all the hype and incredibly high expectations, still manages to take your breath away. Unfortunately I hhaven't seen it at sunrise or sunset (yet), but did see it after the rains with water flowing down some parts. Just amazing.

 

[Justinf]

In all, the tour was excellent. Tiring for Liv, and even for me and I run 10km every day. The different perspectives of being at ground level at the Rock and the different colours are amazing. It looks like a big smooth rock from afar but up close, it's undulating, ragged and anything but smooth.
Back to our room by 1pm and it was time for some lunch. We went to Gecko's cafe in the 'Town Square'. A well earned burger for Liv and fish and chips (with a sneaky beer) for me. Wasn't cheap.


We went back to the room to chillax a bit as we had the Sounds of Silence dinner tonight, which I was very much looking forward to.
We were picked up at 6pm and transported out to a private platform where we watched the sun set over Uluru and were served beer, bubbles and canapes. It says on the website that you get served 'premium Australian beer' but all that was on offer Hahn Super Dry 3.5%, a midstrength lager.

A Sprite for Liv.


I only took one pic of the Sounds of Silence dinner as I enjoyed myself so much, I actually forgot to take more. We were seated with a solo American traveller, who was lovely, and four people from Melbourne so our table was actually fairly empty but the wine flowed freely and so did the conversation.

The dinner consisted of a soup, which was served to you at the table, and then a buffet dinner. The buffet was extensive and of a good quality. I had marinated kangaroo and barramundi and then there was a self-serve dessert afterwards. All the while, the waiters kept your wine glass topped up. Toilets are a short stroll away through the sand (there was quite a line at one stage). During the last 45 minutes an astrology gave us a 'tour' of the night sky. Fortunately the cloud had all but disappeared. The astrologer, Kate, was so enthusiastic, it was infectious. She had two telescopes set up where you could see Jupiter and Saturn - this actually blew me away seeing these giant, far distant planets with my own eyes. Amazing stuff. Kate also pointed out Venus and lots of constellations. It was incredibly entertaining.
We got back to the room at about 9.30pm. It was a wonderful night and even though it's expensive, it was well worth it. I highly recommend that if you are going to splurge once on a trip here, do this, or do the more upscale Tali Wiru.
We slept well, but we had another 5am alarm set as we were doing the Kata Tjuta sunrise and walk tour. Thankfully it wouldn't be 12km, but 2.6km through the centre canyon.

 

[love_the_life]

Kata Tjuta is so different from Uluru. I think I assumed that they would be very similar in composition but the conglomerate rock of KT is amazing. If you noticed the road to the left as you drove into KT, that is the Great Central Road, part of the Outback Way and it was only a 7+ hour drive to Warburton WA where I was running a workshop. JohnM (if I am remembering correctly) did this trip as part of his 'Longest shortcut in Australia' TR. Well worth a read if you haven't done so.

 

[JohnM]

I trust Kate was an astronomer - not an astrologer :shock::mrgreen:.

 

[love_the_life]

Slip of the finger, maybe?
We bought a large (~1.5 x 1.5m) painting at Mutijulu when we were at Uluru. It hangs on our living room wall.

 

[Justinf]

I trust Kate was an astronomer - not an astrologer :shock::mrgreen:.

I think if Kate read this she would be very angry.
Yes, astronomer. Thanks for pointing that out.
How embarrassment.

 

[Pushka]

We did the Sounds of Silence dinner for MrP's 50th. Loved it. We also walked around the rock not climbed it.

Even photos look like paintings.

View attachment 71936

 

[Bindibuys]

Added to bucket list.....

 

[love_the_life]

You would love it BB.

There are JQ (I know) flights in October from Sydney from $105 pp each way
The plane we had was new and it was quite a pleasant flight.

I'm sure Liv had a wonderful time justinf. She has a great Dad to take her to such a great place.

 

[Bindibuys]

Won me at the 12km hike. Love the outdoors (especially when your job has you at a desk, attached to a telephone, most of the day )