Welcome, fellow wanderers! Can you believe it? We’re here! Uluru, the heart of Australia, is calling our names. The sun is just starting to peek over the horizon, painting the sky in hues of pink and orange. Today is Day 2 of our Uluru holiday. I can feel the excitement as we embark on our next adventure – Uluru and Kuniya Walk. I’m so stoked to share this journey with you, so grab a coffee, our chariot awaits, and let’s hit the road.
This morning, we’re driving straight into the magic of Uluru – Kata Tjuta National Park. We’ll be exploring along the way, then onto the mythical Uluru and the start of the legendary Kuniya Walk. We’ve ditched the tour buses and rented our own set of wheels to get us around – more flexibility, less crowds and in a lot of cases cheaper for four people. So, buckle up! Our journey begins now. Let us immerse ourselves in this primeval land, where legends echo through the red earth and every step is a picture in the making. And here’s a secret: Amid the grandeur of Uluru, it’s the quiet moments that steal the show.
Picture this, It’s an early morning start we’re on the road not another soul in sight, we’re leaving the Ayers Rock Resort, silhouettes of our motel accommodation shrinking in the rearview mirror. Our destination: Uluru, and the sacred Kuniya Walk that promises a glimpse into the heart of this ancient land. The sun is rising across the vast Australian outback, it’s the middle of winter (June) in Australia, the desert morning air is crisp, and the red earth beneath us seems to beckon us with legends and by-gone stories of these sacred lands. We are on a pilgrimage, heading off like early explorers to fully investigate this huge, rounded, red sandstone monolith rising to a height of over 340 metres from these red desert plains – an early morning mission to Uluru and the sacred Kuniya Walk.
Yawns were quickly forgotten as we pulled onto the desert road. Minutes later, we arrived at the Uluru – Kata Tjuta National Park entrance – 🔥Tip – You’ll need a National Park Pass for everybody in the vehicle – swipe one of the passes at the boom gate to gain entry (if you are on a tour bus, check with the tour company) – there are huge fines $$$ if you are caught without one. After a quick check in at the boom gate, the Park unfolded before us, a vast expanse of ochre sand, red desert and green trees (there had been some recent rain and the desert was a sea of green), Uluru was on the horizon.
The road signs pointed us in the right direction (Wi-Fi is a bit hit & miss after leaving the resort), the roads sealed and bitumen made it a very easy drive. Uluru began to emerge, a red monolith against an awakening sky, excitement crackled in the car, a shared sense of anticipation as we approached this ancient wonder.
Now it was just us, the endless sky, the long stretches of sealed tarmac and the growing presence of Uluru. After a number of turnoffs we neared the base, the car park came into view and the growing presence of Uluru. Stepping out of the car, the sheer scale of the Rock became overwhelming. It wasn’t just a landmark, it was like a living entity, the serenity, radiating an undeniable power that sent shivers down my spine. We took a deep breath, the serenity only broken by the crunch of the red earth beneath our boots. As we walk, keep those cameras handy! The play of light and shadow on Uluru’s rust – coloured surface is nothing short of mesmerizing. And don’t forget to capture the flora and fauna, the resilient desert plants. You could be lucky enough to come across a cheeky rock wallaby, and maybe a wedge-tailed eagle soaring overhead.
We will be exploring all of Uluru in a later Blog, but today the Kuniya Walk awaits. Backpacks adjusted (water and fly nets are a No.1 priority), eager to unravel the mysteries this sacred place held, the Kuniya Walk beckoned. With a promise of ancient stories and breathtaking vistas, a dusty path leading from the car park hinted at not just a walk, but a journey back in time.
Join me next time as we explore mind-blowing rock formations, hidden caves and rock art paintings and secret water holes of the ancient Kuniya Walk – TO BE CONTINUED!!!!!!!!
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