Uluru and Kata Tjuta

The distances in the outback are great and the drive out here felt longer than most thanks to much anticipation, but the moment we spotted Uluru on the horizon really was special (after the classic Mount Conner false spotting that is). Whether from a distance or close up, the rock is spectacular.

First up was a bike ride around the base. Excited to be back on bikes after an 8 week break, we marvelled the changing rock faces as we rode the 11km loop and imagined the waterfalls and rock pools that would flow after rain and catch in the rock’s rivets, cups and caves. We visited the Uluru Kata Tjuta Cultural Centre to learn about the Anungu people and their Dreamtime stories, and then ended our day with drinks and canapés (aka snacks we pulled together from our camping supplies) as we watched a magical sun set over Uluru.

Our 7.5km Valley of the Winds hike through Kata Tjuṯa the next morning was windy and cold (our weather app told us ‘feels like 0.5 degrees’ when we woke), but absolutely beautiful. Kata Tjuṯa, translated as ‘many heads’ may be less famous than Uluru, but the giant mounds of rock, the tallest of which stands 200m higher than Uluru, are arguably even more impressive to behold. After completing the hike, we were more than happy to put our feet up and relax on an outback camel ride. We’ve all fallen in love with camels on this trip and were excited to get to know our camel hosts, Lassy, Sunny and Nugget, while we rode through the desert.

The next morning, we got up in the dark and headed to the sunrise viewing point to farewell Uluru and the Red Centre as the sun rose. And then we were on our way back towards the highway, headed southwards, inching our way closer to home.Read more