The secret of Uluru - how to enjoy this mystical place

by Rita Amend
(Germany)

Uluru base

Uluru base

I admit I was never attracted to visit Uluru, neither was my hubby. Too expensive, too far away, too much hype about the rock. When I planned our fourth trip to Australia it turned out that we would come fairly close to the red centre (by Australian standards), and we decided to give it a go.

Yes, visiting Uluru was an awe-inspiring experience!

Why did I enjoy my visit despite my prejudice?

First of all, I did some research before I went. Aboriginal culture is not easy to digest for us "western" people, though I think it is very fascinating.
A visit to the Cultural centre gave more insight, and provided brochures for self-guided walks.

Exploring Uluru and Kata Tjuta in our own vehicle helped us to stay away from organised tours, thus the crowds. Even if you fly to Yulara, I would recommend to hire a car there.

To get an insight into Uluru we did the Mala Walk, the most stunning and fascinating 2 kms in my life. What a different picture of what looked like a solid piece of rock from the distance. Caves and shelters, huge slabs of rock - the base of Uluru appeared really fragile.

The Mala Walk shows the places where the Mala people prepared for a ceremony.
With the helpful brochure in my hand I was able to discover the described features in the rocks and caves - awesome. I felt like I was in a different world.

The Mala walk ends at Kantju, one of the few reliable waterholes around Uluru. This was a place of tranquillity, a place to sit and think about what I was experiencing....

Summary
A visit to Uluru can be more than just climbing the rock and seeing the sunset (of course I saw the sunset, too). Make it as individual as possible, and have fun.

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About me
I fell in love with Australia and the Outback on my first visit many years ago. This love finally led me into creating Rita's Outback Guide.

Comments for The secret of Uluru - how to enjoy this mystical place

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Exactly how I experienced it...
by: Birgit

Rita, thank you so much for your excellent story! You describe EXACTLY what I experienced on my last visit to Uluru. (Which, just like you, I enjoyed very much, despite my expectations.) But you put it into words much better than I could :-).

By the way, love your website. Check it out, people!


Funny name Uluru
by: AnonymousTina

Hi every one who has bin on that ancient rock.
I find its name funny.
U-lu-ru to me means, at-lu-for ru.
Conluding that Kangaroos go to poop at Uluru.
On serious side, I have dreamed to go to Uluru.
Regardless of kangaroo poo.
50 years later, and I am still dreaming.
Probably because I am a bit lazy, thus bad traveler.
But I love to read comments of other tourists.
I am never disrespectful, just find names funny.
I like name Kimberli.
Have you been there?
I am dreaming.

Checking out the rock
by: Adam Goodes

Why do you say that tourists are the ones that are desecrating the site when the indigenous people are the ones without toilets? I am an Australian and I deserve the right to live in my country without Aboriginals dictating how I should feel about a rock. If you truly disagree with me maybe you can throw a boomerang or a rock at me. Aboriginal culture goes against my religion. I REFUSE TO PRAY TO YOUR SACRED ROCK!

it's just a rock
by: AnonymousTina

Well, its not just a rock but rock of inspiration.
I was inspired and I wrote a story.
It's about tourist cracking sediment on the rock.
But what happens next is astonishing.
I start with normal people, then animated version,
and finish with normal people.
I just wondered if anybody is interested to make a movie. It is G rated.
Being kid in heart myself, ha,ha,
Looking forward to contact;
All the best,
Tina

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