It seems a shame to sit here in the middle of the Australian outback, sipping champagne as I watch the sun set over Uluru, and not share the experience with you...! Yep, I'm currently in the heart of the Red Centre and have spent an exhausting but highly rewarding day exploring the highlights of this incredible region.
An early start saw us heading to Kata Tjuta at dawn, ready for a guided walk into Walpa Gorge where we learnt how the 36 domes of Kata Tjuta (also known as the Olgas) were formed whilst admiring the changing colours of the rockface. This was followed by a longer walk through the Valley of the Winds, a surprisingly lush, green oasis that contrasts brilliantly against the vivid red rocks and clear blue skies above.
This afternoon saw us embark on a trip to the region's undisputed key drawcard, Uluru (Ayers Rock). There are countless ways to view The Rock: on foot, by helicopter, by camel or even climbing it (still permitted, but strongly discouraged by the Aborgines, for whom Uluru is a place of huge spiritual importance). But we chose to travel in style on the back of a Harley Davidson! This really is such a fun way to explore - with an empty road in front, the wind in your face and a surprisingly comfortable saddle, we went just fast enough for a thrill but slowly enough to be able to take a few million more photos along the way (and let's face it, you can never have too many pictures of Uluru!). Definitely a top recommendation for putting a big smile on your face and for a whole new perspective on this iconic landmark.
The day finished with a fascinating guided walk around the base of Uluru - learning more about the stories and legends of the local Aborigines and the important part that the landscape plays. As the sun sets, the rock changes colour from a soft red to a glowing orange, so vivid it has to be seen to be believed. And then the show is over, we finish the champagne and head back to our luxurious accommodation at Voyages Longitude 131 for a gourmet dinner and an early night - well, it's up early tomorrow for another glorious sunrise over Uluru before we say farewell to the Red Centre and head south to Kangaroo Island.... More on that next time!
By Liz Lunnon, on location in Australia...
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