Uluru, Australia

Trip Start Apr 06, 2008

Trip End Feb 02, 2009

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Where I stayed

Outback Pioneer Hotel, Ayers Rock Resort Yulara

Flag of Australia Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, Northern Territory, Australia
Saturday, September 27, 2008

Have had a wonderful couple of days in the 'red centre' of Australia. I wanted to experience the outback, and decided to come to Uluru (Ayer's Rock). It was a long way, but worth it. The landscape here is amazing. Every bit of earth is bright terracotta colour. (I know it is called the 'red centre', so it shouldn't be a surprise, but actually seeing it is quite remarkable.) There is more greenery than I had expected in numerous shades of green - mostly pale and bluey greens. There are also lots of interesting birds.

On my first day here I did the 8 km gorge walk - 'Valley of the winds' at Kata Tjuta (the other rock formation in the area), then got a bus transfer to Uluru (Ayer's rock) to see the sunset (the latter slightly over-hyped I think).

Today I did the 9.4 km walk around the base of Uluru, followed by another 2 km to the cultural centre.

Me at Kata Tjuta

I didn't climb Uluru. I would have loved to, but I decided to respect the aboriginal owners' request not to climb it.

I am staying at the accommodation resort about 20 minutes drive from Uluru - Ayers Rock Resort (http://www.ayersrockresort.com.au/). The hotel accommodation ranges from expensive to extortionate, so I booked my first genuine hostel dorm accommodation (previously, although I had used hostels, I had always had a single room). I had booked into a 20 bed dorm (!) but fortunately I was upgraded to a 4 bed dorm, which I have been sharing with just one other person, so it has been fine.

I was prepared for a diet of pies and burgers, but the food has been remarkably good. For dinner each evening I have had the 'cook your own BBQ' - you buy a piece of raw meat and cook it on one of a dozen barbeques, then help yourself to salads. The choice of meats is amazing: 3 cuts of beef, lamb, chicken, barramundi (fish), prawns, burgers, beef sausages, emu sausages, kangaroo, crocodile, plus vegetarian options! I had my first taste of emu, kangaroo and crocodile, all of which I enjoyed. (Sorry, Skippy!)

Photos: http://www.flickr.com/photos/12047002@N00/sets/72157607566254662/

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