Discover Ayers Rock

By Jenny Brewer

Ayers Rock (Uluru) is one of the most famous Australian icons located in the Uluru National Park. Located within a days drive south west from Alice Springs, it should be seen at least once in a lifetime for its sheer beauty, ever changing colours and vast, wide plains.

Pick up your new car at Alice Springs and enjoy the freedom to explore not only this famous attraction at your leisure but the sheer thrill of driving in the red centre and all there is to offer in all directions.

There is a lot to do here. Once you have stopped in at the cultural centre to get your bearings, then you have a choice of simply watching the changing colours of the Rock at sunrise or sunset, going on the climb, taking a camel or Harley Davidson tour, sunset dinners or even a flight over the rock for a different perspective.

The majority of tourists who visit come with Ayers Rock in mind, either to attempt the walk or capture the magnificent changes in colour at sunset or sunrise. Whatever you choose you will need to stick around a couple of days at least to make the most of your stay here.

Ayers Rock Campground is a fantastic base to explore the surrounding landscapes, with excellent facilities and plenty of room under the native oak trees. There is such a diversity of plant and animal life here. Although the conditions appear severe, with hot days and sub zero nights, many species have found a way to adapt and thrive in this remote corner of the territory.

This entire region has huge cultural significance. Aboriginals have great respect for the giant structure, with dreamtime stories about the area still told today. You can also take a tour with a local guide who can explain more about the ancient culture, bush tucker and surrounding vegetation.

The Olgas are not as famous but equally as impressive in their own right. About thirty kilometres drive from Uluru, the best time to visit is at sunrise as the temperatures can increase rapidly in the middle of the day. There are two walks available. The Valley of the Winds walk takes you on a trip around a number of the dome shaped Olgas, and the other takes you to the Kalpa Lookout. With only the red outback plains and brilliant blue skies in the distance, it really is an incredible attraction from any angle.

Head three hours north east from Ayers Rock and you will enter the Watarrka National Park, home of Kings Canyon. There are all species of exotic plant life here, as well abundant wildlife. Pack your walking shoes for a three to four hour walking trail which will take you to the rim of the Canyon for spectacular views.

Most popular natural attractions are the Garden of Eden which features a waterhole and abundant vegetation. There is also a shorter walk which takes you to the middle of the Canyon and will also give you some fantastic scenery. The unusual rock formations of the Lost City will keep you in awe, named because at different angles they do look like the forgotten remains of an old city.

Kings Creek Station is located just over thirty kilometres from the Canyon and is a great place to rest and unwind for a few days. There are also adventure activities to choose from here such as helicopter flights over the canyon, camel riding and quad biking.

Ayers Rock, the Olgas, Kings Canyon and the stark red landscapes of the red centre are everything Australia is known for and proud to show off to rest of the world. Many people choose an outback adventure to escape to a place where there is freedom, rugged beauty and incredible landforms. You have it all here.