Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park is a key place of spirituality in the Australian Northern Territory. Uluru is a sight to behold for its majestic monolithic presence ascending from the arid desert plains.
Cost:
The only lodging in the area is the Ayers Rock Resort in the town of Yulara. The resort comprises several different hotels with various price ranges and styles. We opted for the Desert Gardens hotel which is a middle range lodging costing $400 AUD a night. There are standard campgrounds nearby that cost $43 AUD a night and luxury campgrounds that range from $3780 to $4200 AUD a night.
My mom and I rented a car to drive us around the national park. Note that the national park pass must be purchased separately for a cost of $38 for a three day pass or $50 for a yearly pass for visitors 18 years and older. There are scheduled buses that Ayers Rock Resort provides for an additional cost to transport guests to the national park. Since we would be hiking nearly every day, having a rental car made the most sense since we wanted to hike at our own pace and not feel rushed.
Things to do:
There is no shortage of activities both in the national park and at the resort. There are camel rides into the desert during sunrise and sunsets, elegant dinners serving entertainment and native flavors and free activities for both adults and children.
There are multiple ways to explore the area. The base walk of Uluru took us roughly four hours to complete, though most claim to finish within three hours. If walking for several hours seems unappealing, there are also cycling and segway tours that can speed up the process.
The most recent addition to Ayers Rock Resort evening activities is Wintjiri Wiru. This culturally and artistically immersive experience tells the story of the Mala people using over a thousand programmed drones choreographed to illustrate the tale against the backdrop of the night sky. Accompanying the show is a delicious dinner and canapes served in an Ayers Rock Resort hamper basket.
For those on a budget, the resort offers a range of free cultural activities. Musically minded individuals can listen and participate in didgeridoo workshops. Creativity can be unleashed practicing traditional dot painting of various stenciled Australian animals. I participated in the bush food experience where I learned about the hunting methods and tried local fruits gathered from the area. After the demonstration, I was able to identify some of the edible plants on my walk around the resort.
Cultural Center:
The cultural center is a must when visiting Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park. The park sits on Yankunytjatjara Pitjantjatjara land and it is customary to seek out the history of the indigenous people. The center provides information about the history and cultural significance of the area. There are art galleries and videos providing information on life in the area.
Words of Caution:
Please note that photography and videography is prohibited in certain areas of the Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park. These areas are considered sacred and should not be shared with those unauthorized to view them.
During the warmer months and into early winter there are flies everywhere. There are fly nets available for purchase in shops around the Yulara town square. These nets prevent flies from landing on hikers' faces as they walk around the park.
Stay hydrated. While there are water stations around the hiking trails, all visitors should bring extra water, especially in the summer months.
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