Detours Gay Travel Blog

Detours Bucket List "Check": Uluru in Australia

• Detours
• Nov 27, 2024

We’ve all seen photos of the iconic oval rock formation known as Uluru, rising up 1,142 feet above the red Australian desert. 

It was formed over 550 million years ago by an ancient sandstone mountain range and eroded to expose the world’s largest, and most iconic, monolith. 🪨

Pictures only do it so much justice — this natural wonder of the world is an unforgettable experience that needs to be seen with your own eyes. 👀

Which is where we come in… 

On any of our Australia adventures, you'll get to experience the “red centre” otherwise known as the Outback. 

Everytime I hear the word Outback, the legendary Steve Irwin’s voice pops into my head. Rest in peace buddy! ❤️

Here you can experience the heart of Australian aboriginal culture at their most important spiritual location. 

But before you do, as your trip leader I wanted to provide you with context about this spiritual center, and the cultural significance of Uluru to the Aborigines of Australia. 

Getting to Uluru

After arriving at Uluru Airport from Brisbane, we’ll embark on a mini outback excursion (on the wrong side of the road I might add) for 10 minutes before arriving at our accommodations in the Northern Territory… which is one of Australia’s six states. 

Along with Western Australia, South Australia, Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, and the island of Tasmian (home to those devilish Tazzie Devils). 

And just like that, you’ve covered Aussie geography 101 in the most laid-back way possible… and don’t worry there won’t be a test! 👨‍🏫🇦🇺

Aboriginal Reclamation

As with most colonized countries, there is often a dark history around the rights and treatment of the Indigenous people, and it’s no different for the Aborigines in Australia. 

That said, Uluru was officially reclaimed by the Aborigines in 1985. And today it’s managed by its traditional peoples, the Aṉangu, and Parks Australia. 

The colonial name Ayers Rock is still used, but in 2002 it was officially changed to Uluru. 🙌

Now, it’s more commonly known as Uluru, which is a small win for Aborigines having autonomy over the naming rights of their most sacred site.

Hotels and accommodations that were originally constructed at the base of Uluru were moved 15 kilometers outside to preserve the land and limit human interaction. A national park was created to preserve this geological wonder.

Uluṟu-Kata Tjuṯa National Park 

One of the bonuses about joining Detours for unique experiences is that we cover everything for you. In this case, the entrance to the Uluṟu-Kata Tjuṯa National Park, dinner under the stars, a guided walk, etc.

Kata Tjuta (or the Olgas) is another iconic and culturally significant rock formation just 36 miles from Uluru. It makes up the second portion of your national park visit. 

Kata Tjuta is something like the younger, under appreciated sibling of Uluru, but still a deeply significant site for the Aṉangu people, who have been visiting it for the past 22,000 years.

Containing 36 domed boulders, this mini rock mountain range translates to “many heads” in the Pitjantjatjara language, and is definitely worth a visit!

Rock Art

Shallow basins at the base of Uluru have been used as meeting places for the Aṉangu for tens of thousands of years. These basins contain multiple layers of pictures, symbols, and figures painted on top of each other. 

Rock art, also known as pictographs, are found all over the world and depict scenes from the lives of peoples from our ancient past. (And what a great word to share at your next social opportunity.)

The Aṉangu don’t create rock art currently, but they’ve held the key to ancient knowledge and belief systems since time immemorial. 

These surfaces are like ancient canvases, classrooms, and libraries; and a place where creation stories and tjukurpa teachings were preserved and passed down through generations.

Tjukurpa and Dreamtime

Tjukurpa makes up the foundation, philosophy, and worldview of the Aṉangu. It encompasses their social structure, moral belief systems, and laws. 

This tradition is not written down, but memorized, and passed on in chapters to people through inheritance or kinship. 

Knowledge is also recorded in ceremonies, ritual objects, song, dance, and art. 🪃     

Anthropologists originally described this worldview (from their perspective) using the terms “Dreamtime” or “Dreaming.” 

From the perspective of the Aṉangu; Tjukurpa is no dream. And there is no such word in Aṉangu languages. Many details are known to non-Aboriginal people, but the secret, sacred information is still protected, and remains with the Aṉangu. 🤫

Cultural Centre

The Cultural Centre at the base of Uluru is a free-form structure built from locally made mud-bricks in 1995 to commemorate the 10-year anniversary of Uluru being handed back to its original stewards.

If time permits, give yourself some time to immerse yourself in the stories and art from the perspective of its original custodians.

The center has two distinct art galleries: The first is the Maṟuku Arts Gallery, which showcases punu (traditional wood art, tools, and weapons) and other artistic works from over 900 artists from 20 remote Aboriginal communities across the Central and Western Desert. 

The second gallery, Walkatjara Art, is owned and directed by the Aṉangu people, and serves as their community art center. 

You can see Aboriginal artists at work, learn more about Aṉangu culture, or bring a painting home that directly supports the community in a culturally appropriate way.

Climbing Ban   

Initially, tourists were allowed to climb to the top of Uluru, despite the Aṉangu people respectively requesting that visitors refrain from doing so out of respect for the formation and its cultural significance.

But as we know, people make bad decisions, and forget to use their brains! 🤣🧠🤷

Climbing was officially banned on October 26, 2019 after years of poor choices and disrespect atop the sacred site. 

A few lowlights included a French woman stripping at the top, an Aussie Rules soccer star launching a golf ball off the mountain island, and a few notable (and expensive) search and rescue missions for tourists veering off trail.  

We know our gay travel group companions would never do anything to disrespect this sacred site, and hopefully after reading this, you’ll know “what not to do” at Uluru.

Which has a nice ring to it, if I do say so, myself… 💁‍♂️

Sunrise

Since climbing is off the table, what better way to see Uluru, than from a bird’s eye view on an optional sunrise heli-tour… 🚁

Fly Uluru offers 30-minute helicopter charters, which is definitely worth the early wake up to see this beauty from the sky at sunrise. ☀️

If you’re like me, and you’re the complete opposite of an early bird, trust me, it’s well worth the early wake up call, and a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

If heights are an issue for you, no judgment. It will still be exceptionally beautiful from a more comfortable, feet-on-the-earth perspective…

Sunset 

Just like the sunrise, the sunset is another bucket list experience that you’ll have the privilege of witnessing.

And what better way to spend a sunset than enjoying a classic Australian barbie with a glass of wine, great company with a small group, and a stunning backdrop. 🍷🥩

I can guarantee you won’t see the color red pop quite like it does at sunset in Uluru…

Another fun fact, the rock actually changes color according to the position of the sun, which will allow you to see it in all its fiery orange glory!

When the sun finally does go down, you’ll be blessed with a sky full of stars like you’ve never seen before! 🤩✨

Crossing Uluru off the Bucket List 

Nothing quite says “down under” like a trip to the spiritual heartland of the Aboriginal red center and probably the heart of Australia itself; despite what Sydneysiders or Melburnians might say… 🌇 

Modern Australia certainly has its charm, but Uluru always seems to be a highlight of our trips to Oz; and something you’ll never forget. 

Because there’s simply no place on earth like it! 🌏