Ayres Rock and Olgas



Our first close up of Uluru

Like most tourists to the red centre a visit to Uluru (Ayres Rock) and Kata Tjuta (The Olgas) was on our must visit list. I was expecting to be a little disappointed due to the over commercialisation of the place as there are 5 Star Hotels, a fleet of AAT-Kings Tourist busses, spas and pools  and all the trappings of a expensive American style over the top style resort. And yes - sadly all the things I was concerned about are there (including 1000’s of people) But what I didn’t take into account was the raw natural beauty of the Rock and the Olgas. Unless they build a roller coaster over the top, a tunnel of love through the middle and water parks down the sides these sights are truly awe inspiring Aussie icons and the park is a credit to the park management.

The Rock, Olgas and pre-dawn moon

I got up before sunrise on our first morning at the Rock and followed a convoy of vehicles out to the designated “sunrise viewing” spot for cars (25km from the Yulara Resort Caravan Park). There were three busses and at least 25 cars at the viewing platforms by 0630. Unfortunately due to the smoke from many bush fires in the area the famous changing colours of the Rock as the sun came up didn’t really eventuate.  Still it was great to be up watching the sun rise and admire the Rock.



Weathering of the Rock

The base walk around the circumference of the Rock is about 12 km and Linda and I set off early in the day to beat the heat. It took us about 4 hours to do the walk as we took our time and soaked up the atmosphere of the rock.  It’s a brilliant walk with a nice wide flat path. On the northern side the path deviates away from the Rock about ½ km due to several indigenous sensitive sites but on the southern side you can get up close and personal with the Rock.

 

 

One cave looks like a love heart?

From a distance the Rock looks like a smooth damper but up close you can see the huge caverns and eroded areas.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The climb up the Rock

A lot of people go to Uluru to do the climb to the top of the Rock – I had all intentions of climbing the Rock but didn’t in the end because:

·         For most of the time the climb was closed due to strong winds

·         The traditional owners ask you not to climb the Rock due to cultural reasons

·         I chickened out – one small fence rail, a very steep climb, a long way down with no hand holds if you slip, and over 35 fatalities recorded on the climb – added up to a no go for me.

 

 

 

We shared aour table with visiting Brazilian Geogoligists

On our first night we splurged out and did the Sounds of Silence dinner on the sand dunes. An entrée of sparkling wine and canapés whilst watching the sunset over the Rock and Olgas and then a three course meal under the stars with fine food and wine wasn’t a bad way to spend an evening. A tour of the night sky with a guide highlighting some of the southern constellations and even Mars and Saturn was good entertainment. They had also set up two telescopes – one on a galaxy far far away (couldn’t see Luke Skywalker) and the other on Saturn – it’s the first time I have actually seen Saturn’s rings through a telescope. Bloody good night.



Walpa Gorge

On our second day we went the 45km to the Olgas – just as awe inspiring as the Rock and different due the massive valleys and gorges - it makes you feel pretty and small and insignificant as you look up at the 100’s of metres of conglomerate rock walls.

 

 

 

 

 

We walked the Valley of the Winds, had a bite to eat at the Sunset Viewing area (also the only place at the Olgas with toilets J) and then walked Walpa Gorge before heading back towards Yulara Resort 20 km for the sunset viewing.



Walpa Gorfge

 Once again the smoke haze from the bush fires made sunset poor conditions for photography but we did get to see 30-40 feral camels heading out for their evening feed.

Talking about wild life – we saw lots of small birds, camels, feral cats, rabbits and a lone euro (rock kangaroo).  Funny thing - we met Japanese, German, Greeks, Dutch, and Italians but never saw a European J J

 

 

 Mount Connor and bushfires

As the area around the Rock had just experienced the best season in over 20 years (in some places the grass was chest high) bush fires were becoming a common occurrence. The afternoon after we came in to the Rock the road was closed and as we left Uluru numerous bushfires threatened to close the road again. It was a relief when we turned northeast after Curtain Springs Station as there were several fires raging to the south and a strong southerly wind. There are going to be some serious fires at the end of next summer when everything has died and dried out.

If you are an Aussie – go to the rock, gently push your way into the crowds of tourists, and see one of our natural wonders of the world.