2018 – Part 59 – Tours of Uluru Kata Tjuta National Park

2018 – Part 59 – Exploring Uluru & Kata Tjuta

During our stay in the middle of Australia we went on three tours; two of Uluru, and the third was a morning tour out at Kata Tjuta.  These were part of the standard tours that Longitude 131 offered to their guests.

Park Entrance

Tickets are required regardless if you are part of a tour group or travelling on your own.  You can get them ahead of time online, or at the park entrance.

Mala Walk & Kantju Gorge

We took this tour on our first evening during our stay.  Once onboard our buses, the tour circled the base of Uluru before stopping to commence our walk.

This tour is a breeze, as it all on level ground.  If you want to complain, you’ll get your shoes quickly filled with the area’s distinctive red sand.  One stop on our walk was the base where one can climb to the top that came complete with many warnings:

At the time of our visit, it’s planned that climbing to the top will halt in October 2019.  The impact of people climbing to the top is obvious with the well worn path along the railing that was installed decades ago.

As we walked along the base our guide pointed out areas that provided a natural shelter from the elements.  Each of these areas had a specific use.

In between stops, our walk took us to the Gorge for sunset.

In the fading sunset light we made our short walk back to our buses that concluded this tour.

Uluru Sunset

On our second evening we returned to Uluru to watch the sunset from the main sunset viewing area.  There are two dedicated areas, one for passengers vehicles, and a second for buses.  Upon our arrival we were offer snacks and refreshments to take in the sunset:

We didn’t walk the whole way up the path to view the sunset, instead we stopped partway along the walkway so that I could setup a camera to attempt a time-lapse video (link will be posted).

Watching the setting sun change the colour of Uluru was spectacular to watch.

During the sunset we had a good conversation with one of our tour guides.  As a local Anangu, the story of his family gave insight to the importance, and significance of this place.

With the sun sinking past the horizon we made the short walk back to the bus where it was one of many in the parking lot.

Field of Light

Before our dinner outside, under the stars, we stopped at an art installation, Field of Light.  With over 50,000 stems and crowns, complete with LED lights inside, the fields were almost hypnotic as the colours would change in a wave like pattern.

The installation is planned to remain until December 2020.  After our time in the field we headed to our dinner, click here for the food we enjoyed during our stay in Uluru.

Kata Tjuta

Kata Tjuta is appoximately 40km west of Uluru in the same National park.  Unlike Uluru, the formation is not one solid piece, and over time, erosion has carved out cliffs, valleys and gorges to explore.  This morning tour had an early start to the day as the goal was to arrive in a Gorge to watch the sunrise into it.

Kata Tjuta

Kata Tjuta

Kata Tjuta parking lot

Unlike the ground around Uluru, Kata Tjuta is a the product of erosion into smaller rocks and pebbles, and the path we took was rocky and uneven.  It was so uneven that Amber’s knee decided to make her sit out the walk.

Rocky pathway into the Gorge

Bird!

Combining an early start, fresh morning air, this walk certainly woke me up.  There is a climb involved, however it wasn’t until I stopped for photographs did I notice as I was focused on the pathway to ensure I didn’t make any missteps.

We arrived at our spot where the rocks prevented any further progress.  Here was a chance to take in the unique habitat that Kata Tjuta offers.  Our guide was eagle-eyed and spotted several birds along the cliffs, and I took significantly longer before I spotted them as well.  With a short break to rest up, we made our walk back out to return to the bus and continue our morning.

Once on the bus we stopped to take in the full view of Kata Tjuta, and I chronicled with our minifigures how Amber didn’t fair as well as expected.

After some snacks and hot chocolate we returned to the bus where we headed to the cultural center.  The center is near Uluru and provides visitors with a chance to understand the history of the National Park being transferred to the Aboriginal tribes of the area.  As well, the center provides space where local artwork is available for purchase.

Once back on the bus, we made the short drive back to Longitude where we enjoyed our lunch.

Read more about our trip by clicking here.