Uluru is considered the spiritual heart of Australia.
This is sponsored content by Voyages Ayers Rock Resort
Magic: there's no other word to describe the effect that Uluru has on those who descend upon it. There's a beauty to Uluru that's otherworldly — once you're within its presence, it's immediately clear why this is a sacred site to the Aṉangu people and such a special destination for all Australians. There's no better time to discover the spiritual heart of the country with your family; a place that so perfectly captures the splendour and the stark contrasts. There are so many ways to appreciate and experience the magic of Uluru, so many varied activities and vantage points from which to enjoy one of the world's natural wonders. Do a few of these, or do them all, regardless, you will soon be under the rock's spell.
CHASE THE SUN
The beginning and the end of each day at Uluru is truly spectacular, a riot of colour you won't believe possible in the desert until you see it. The great bulk of Uluru morphs through red and rust, burnt ochre and deep burgundy; the sky is a million hues as dawn strengthens or dusk fades.
In the evening, ride a camel, have a BBQ, or take a helicopter flight to enjoy the sunset. At dawn, watch the desert wake up as the canopy of stars becomes blue sky, and that magical rock appears.
WALK AROUND THE BASE
How do you begin to get your head around the sheer size of the world's largest monolith? How do you get a feel for the spiritual importance of this ancient and sacred site? By walking its circumference.
This 10-kilometre loop displays the surprising diversity of Uluru's surrounds, from lush green spaces to arid desert, with plenty of unique plants, animals and geological features to discover.
TAKE A GUIDED TOUR
The desert around Uluru holds many secrets, from traditional stories to ancient knowledge. To discover those secrets, take a guided tour of the Uluru and Kata Tjuta area.
Hear the Aṉangu creation and Tjukurpa stories. Sample some bush tucker. Learn about the local wildlife and plant life. Listening to these stories and getting a feel for the knowledge that the traditional owners of the land have about Uluru perfectly captures its importance to Australia.
SEE THE FIELD OF LIGHT
The Field of Light Uluru – the famous installation from internationally celebrated artist Bruce Munro – has to be one of the world's most successful artworks, given it's so universally loved and so often visited. This carpet of tiny bulbs on the desert floor brings out the innate magic of the Uluru experience, adding a little extra wonder.
You can enjoy the Field of Light in a number of spectacular ways: at sunset or sunrise, as part of an extended day tour or as an add-on to a dinner. Whichever you choose, you'll be captivated by this spectacular work.
THE SOUNDS OF SILENCE
This has become one of the signature experiences of the Uluru area: the Sounds of Silence dinner, an evening under the stars with the shadow of Uluru fading in the background.
Watch the sunset over the rock with a glass of champagne and tasty canapes; listen to the deep tones of a didgeridoo playing as you join fellow diners; help yourself to a buffet of elevated bush tucker as the sky begins to sparkle with a million stars. Pairing it with the Field of Light exhibition creates an even more unforgettable evening.
EMBRACE THE ARTS
A seamless way to immerse in local Aṉangu culture, while also creating something original and beautiful to depart the trip with, is through a dotpainting workshop at Maruku Arts.
This not-for-profit art and craft corporation offers visitors the chance to sit down with a local Indigenous artist and learn a few secrets of this complex and meaningful art form. Using traditional tools and employing symbols used for thousands of years, the creation of a dot-painting is an opportunity to reflect on life; to consider where you are and where you're going, and to capture those thoughts in the most unique way.
GET ABOARD A CAMEL
Embrace the spirit of early explorers and take to the desert by camel. This is an enjoyable, relaxed way to explore the area around Uluru, with the help of the animals that were once the principal means of Outback transport until roads and railways were set up.
There are myriad journeys to be had on camelback, from riding into the sunset at Uluru to taking in the beauty of dawn or enjoying a unique perspective of the Field of Light.
ENJOY A SEGWAY TOUR
Although ancient and so heavily imbued with tradition, Uluru might just be the ideal place to explore by Segway, one of the most modern forms of transport.
Climb aboard one of these exhilarating vehicles and prepare for the ride of a lifetime, as you travel a 12-kilometre circuit around the base of Uluru, stopping intermittently to be treated to thought-provoking insights into ancient rock art, flora and fauna; and stimulating tales of Aṉangu culture and traditions.
FEAST AT TALI WIRU
A special place deserves a special meal, and the intimate Tali Wiru dinner is exactly that. Tali Wiru means "beautiful dune" in the Aṉangu language, and that perfectly describes the setting: an open-air restaurant in remote desert, with the brilliant visage of Uluru as the backdrop.
The four-hour fine dining experience finds you feasting on an exceptional four-course meal perfectly matched with premium Australian wines; each innovative dish fusing Indigenous flavours foraged from the surrounds. From yabbie caviar to pickled emu apple and freeze-dried finger lime, it's a feast for every sense.
There's no denying that the experience of Uluru delivers an unexplainable sense of magic – for visitors around the world, but for Australians especially. To discover more about spectacular Uluru and the surrounding region, visit www.ayersrockresort.com.au.
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