Planning to go to Uluru? You should take into consideration two things – firstly, plan your trip ahead as Uluru is not a spontaneous destination you would like to try. Trust me as that is exactly what I did.
Second thing – don’t even consider bringing a souvenir like red sand or rock from Uluru – you might be cursed forever. Luckily I have not experienced this one personally – however many people did and this is what they had to say about it.
Sacred place
“Every day, rangers from Uluru – Kata Tjuta National Park receive parcels containing souvenir rocks and sand. Taken by tourists as a memory of their experience of Uluru, these little ‘pieces of place’ are returned from all over the world.”
The parcels often come with the handwritten letters of apology – and so the returned rocks have been known as the ‘sorry rocks’.
A very few believe that they have been riddled with bad luck or even been cursed as a result of removing the rocks.
“I just want to return the rock to its rightful place and say goodbye to the bad luck” – January 2014, Hing Kong”
Uluru is considered to be a spiritual place with incredible and powerful energy. It certainly made quite an impression on me.
First things first
Many people travel through Aussie outback for weeks – visiting Alice Springs and finishing up in Uluru. However, you can also catch a plane from anywhere in Australia and just fly in for a couple of days – 3 days is enough to experience its beauty.
Fly from Sydney and 3 hours later find yourself in the Red Centre of Australia surrounded by red sand and desert climate.
Rent a car in advance
I have mentioned planning the trip ahead – manly because you do want to have a car there and the rental companies have a limited supply. First in best dressed!
The town area is about 20 minutes drive away from Uluru and Katja National Park. If you missed out on the rental car, there is a great service of buses that take you to see the Rock and National Park. The cost is AU$50 return per person hence why it might be better to rent a car.
Buy a hat net for flies – or alternatively wear light clothes.
You will be swamped with flies as you walk around Uluru. Don’t wear black clothes as they are more drawn to darker clothing.
Purchase the insect hat net in any souvenir shop in Uluru or just buy one beforehand online. They cost around AU$6.
I was there in June and walked Uluru early in the morning (6.30 am – 9 am) and there were already so many flies around us, I can only imagine what it was like later during the day or in the summer.
Stay in luxury or on a budget on a campground
There are only a few options to choose from to stay in Uluru. You can decide whether to experience luxury or do Uluru on a budget. For a nice hotel stay be prepared to pay AU$300-500 per night. Longitude 131 is the most luxurious experience at AU$3000 a night.
For a budget stay you can choose a dorm bed in a hostel for AU$40 a night or a tent spot in the campgrounds.
Check this website for all information about accommodation here
Experience Field of Light installation – a must on your list
Don’t miss this once-in-a-lifetime experience – Bruce Munro’s internationally acclaimed art installation Field of Light, set glittering at the base of Uluru, will now be on show until 31 December 2020. When Bruce Munro visited Uluru he got inspired to create an outstanding light show just by the Uluru jewel.
Check some options for the experience here as you can experience the installation in several ways. Check and pre book here
I recommend spending more and opting for a Star pass where you get to experience sunset by Uluru with wine and canapes. Full brochure available here
Walk around Uluru and Kata Tjuta National Park
Absolutely magnificent walk and suitable for all fitness levels. Again, choose the walk early in the morning as it gets very hot throughout the day. We were there in June and it was quite hot already. Take plenty of water with you. There will be some water station to refill your bottle.
