Uluru - Much More than a Big Red Rock

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Uluru

After visiting Kata Tjuta, we were taken to view Uluru at sunset. The sight to see really was the number of tourists sitting and watching this big rock in the middle of the desert! The sunset wasn’t all that great due to some low clouds on the horizon (and lack of dust in the air), so we didn’t get the colour changes that are supposedly so beautiful. The sunset itself was quite nice - but it was behind us as we looked on at Uluru. I think the view from the opposite side might have been more spectacular. After sunset we returned to Yulara. Our campsite was very comfortable with sturdy tents, raised camp beds an outdoor covered kitchen and full bathroom facilities (the best showers on the trip).

Over dinner that night, our guide, Debora, informed us that we had to wake up at 4:30 the next morning in order to make it back to “the rock” for sunrise. Yikes! - and we thought our 6am pickup had been early. Somehow we managed the early morning awakening and after a very quiet bus ride found ourselves at the base of Uluru. Some people in our group wanted to climb the rock but, out of respect for the Pitjantjatjara and Yankunytjatjara Aboriginal peoples we decided to do the walk around rather than over Uluru. In any case, due to high winds, the summit climb was closed.

As we walked the 9.4 km trek around the rock we were awed by its ability to change form and evoke such a variety of emotion. As the sun edged over the horizon, soft light cast shadows over the rock's surface creating new features at every glance. Some spots looked like the rock had spit out huge boulders that lie at the base, leaving gaping holes in an otherwise flat rock surface. In other places, it looked like the rock had been pulled so taut that it had torn apart like fabric. Throughout the 3 - 4 hour walk we enjoyed the sunrise and "god light", areas of aboriginal rock drawings, water holes and dry waterfalls, and the company of good people (though frequent photo stops left us behind the main group).

After the walk, we returned to our camp for lunch and then packed up and headed for our next stop. Along the way, we stopped to view Mount Connor - another large monolith in the middle of the desert. We stepped up and over a red sand dune and had a glimpse of Lake Amadeus - a huge inland salt lake. There was so much salt in this body of water, it looked frozen!

Next stop - King's Canyon.

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Photos

Crested Pigeons at Uluru
These pigeons flew in to get the sunset view of Uluru.

Rainbow Bee Eater
These little guys flittered around the base of Uluru.

Sunrise at Uluru
Did I mention that we got up at 4:30 am to see Uluru at sunrise on a cloudy day?

Uluru at Sunset
There wasn't enough dust (and no pollution) to make a great sunset so it took a long exposure and some photo stitching to get this shot.

Uluru from Kata Tjuta
There really isn't much else around.

Don't Climb Uluru
Read the sign

Don't walk the walk
The local aborigines ask visitors to not climb on their "site of spiritual significance". We found it disappointing that visitors are given the option to climb.

Getting that unique shot
As the sun set across the Red Centre everyone scrambled to get their unique shot of the big red rock.

Not just a red rock
Watching the sun set over (actually, the sun is behind us, not the rock... there's probably a better way to get a sunset view) Uluru.

Crested pigeon
This little guy kept flying into my composition. I think he was looking for payment.

Uluru Base Walk
A view during the 9.4 km sunrise walk around Uluru.

Uluru Base Walk
The rock changes dramatically as you get closer.

Uluru Base Walk
... another view of Uluru.

They say there used to be an ocean here ...
At 6% humidity, this would be the last place on Earth to find whales.

The Base of Uluru
I think theyneed to water the lawn.

Base of Uluru
During rain storms these waterfalls are a bit more wet.

A living Uluru
Life carries on in the most hostile of environments.

Tom and Sarah at Maggie Spring
Taking a break (and waking up) during the Base Walk.

Uluru Waterfall
One of many dry waterfalls draining from Uluru's plateau.

Uluru Waterfall
... another dry Uluru waterfall.

Uluru - up close
Just another of Uluru's fine features.

Uluru rock art
Stories on top of stories.

Sunset view
This is the view of the sunset taken from the "sunset viewing area". Note that Uluru is directly behind the camera.

Not Uluru
Mount Connor can be seen on the way to Uluru.

Mount Connor
Not Uluru.

Comments

[Emma]

Go there
It is soo good I reccomend GOOOOO