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Rich & Elaine's Overseas AdventuresAyers Rock 'Uluru'The mystique and scenic wonders of Ayers Rock Uluru, Central Australia will draw you into the culture and vastness of this absolute Australian outback experience. 'Ayers Rock'- Aboriginal name - 'Uluru'. No matter how many pictures you have seen of Ayers Rock, nothing will prepare you for your first view. Whether you arrive by plane, coach or vehicle it explodes out of the rich red plains of central Australia like a giant wart. Selected Books on Northern Territory and Australia
Ayers Rock rises 348 metres from the desert floor and has a girth of 9.4km and there are no two views the same. A treasured icon of the ancient aboriginal people and also one of the great wonders of the world, Ayers Rock will overwhelm you with the power of its ancient spirit and it is estimated that two thirds  of this ancient rock lies beneath the earth’s surface.Ayers Rock's traditional owners the Anangu people claim to have lived there for ever and preserve many sacred sites which they keep private, some places being appropriate for men, some only for women and others only for senior people. You certainly do experience the spiritual energy as you walk around the perimeter of this the world’s largest monolith. To climb Ayers Rock requires a high level of fitness and the Anangu people are concerned for your safety and would prefer visitors to respect their culture and not climb. We loved wandering around 'the rock' exploring it's nooks and crannies, finding the native bird hide outs, water holes and sacred corners, we were in awe of the sheer magnitude of it all. We personally had a strong feeling not to climb the Rock this was a very personnel decision, as we do love to climb and seek out views and achieve great heights. But people still do climb.
There is an excellent cultural centre in the shadow of the Ayers Rock, where you can see the Aboriginal art and craft work and study the relationship between the people, the plants, the animals and the lands physical features. Yulara is a small tourist town 25kms from Ayers Rock where there is a wide range of accommodations, restaurants and visitor’s centres.
30km’s drive from Yulara the awesome Olgas rise out of the earth like giant domes and they are simply
 stunning. There are 36 separate domes the tallest being 200m higher than Ayers Rock the traditional aboriginal name for the Olgas is Kata Tjuta. We personally loved being out at the Olga’s, the neat walks you could do on well formed tracks, catching the different lights and rock structures it looked like a rock climbers paradise but this was a no go. The flies were out to get you so the idea was to keep moving and don’t sit on one of those seats, well spaced for weary walkers. Both of these areas are located in the 1,325 hectare World Heritage Uluru Kata Kjuta National Park which is listed for its natural phenomena and spiritual significance. The area provides desert walks through rich red, iridescent oranges, the burnt yellows of Central Australia and walkers can follow the trails through Kata Kjuta that leads you to a land of colours and textures.
Kings Canyon should be on your 'don't miss' list; it is a 3hr drive on an excellent straight Road from Yulara and there is a great 3hr walk around the canyon rim giving you amazing views. There are chasms plunging 207m to the canyon floor, water holes with luxuriant cycads around the edges, outstanding beehive rock formations and river red gums, wattles, fig trees and lush ferns give this a rain forest appearance.
 We really enjoyed our day out there.There are informative signs telling you about the rock formations and aboriginal cultural uses of the area. The vibrant colours, the rock formation and varied bird life of Kings Canyon is a photographers dream. An excellent resort and wilderness lodge are nearby and also a well equipped camp site at Kings Creek Station with a shop, fuel, a restaurant where the barramundi, along with a chilled beer is not to be missed and while we are on the subject of food please don’t forget the fun breakfast at Kings Creek Station on the way in - about 36kms from Kings Canyon - but you do have to be there before 9-30am - a great start to the days adventure.
This large area of Central Australia is a ‘Must Do’, the sunrises and sunsets in the Olgas and Ayers Rock are stunning and the rock formations quite amazing - no picture can do it justice.
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