Why Uluru?
Uluru, UNESCO World Heritage listings
Uluru is usually found on the travel wish list of even the most stay-at-home Aussie and no matter how many pictures you’ve seen, nothing will prepare you for your first views of the spectacular rock formation, which is as tall as an 85-storey building with a circumference of nearly 10 kilometres.Indigenous Australians believe Uluru and nearby Kata Tjuta to be the centre of all Dreaming.
Official conservation bodies recognise Uluru’s star and spiritual qualities, too. In 1994, Uluru became one of a few sites in the world to hold dual UNESCO World Heritage listings, acknowledging its ecological, as well as its cultural, value.
PLACÉS
Placés to visit on the Way
Pink Lake
Pink Lake is a small, circular, salty pink lake on the Western Highway just north of Dimboola in Australia. The lake received its name from its distinctive pink colour. The brightness of the hue varies according to the level of rainfall.Until recently it was assumed that red algae created the pink hue; however, recent research reported by Australian Geographic describes the colour as result of a pigment produced by the Salinibacter ruber bacteria.
Location
Dimboola, Victoria
What I like about it
The beautiful reason to stop at Pink Lake is it sets a scene for beautiful photos — one where the blues and greens of Australia's landscape make room for another color for memoriable collections. Pink Lake provides a source of minerals and flavour in the salt that crusts across its surface.
Coober Pedy
Journey to South Australia’s desert underground mining settlement of Coober Pedy – Australia’s opal capital. Around 150 million years ago, Coober Pedy was covered by ocean – and when the water receded, the sandy silica minerals from the seabed flowed into the rocky cracks and cavities and solidified over time into multi-coloured gem-stone – opal. Explore the opal capital!
Location
Coober Pedy, South Australia
What I like about it
Coober Pedy is famous for its sun-baked lunar landscape, fascinating history and quirky lifestyle. Descend beneath the ground and discover a labyrinth of underground houses, hotels and even shops. Spend a peaceful morning in underground churches, fossick for your own opals or take a tour to one of the many surrounding natural wonders.
Kings Canyon
Watarrka National Park is only three hours’ drive from Uluru, and is home to the mighty Kings Canyon – a majestic destination featuring 300m high sandstone walls, palm-filled crevices, and views that stretch across the desert.
Location
Kings Canyon Access, Petermann, Northern Territory
What I like about it
Feel on top of the world as you walk along the towering red rock cliffs of Kings Canyon and take in views of the forest of palms below.Boasting some of the best views of the night sky you can only get in the Outback, enjoy a unique outback dining experience offered by Kings Canyon Resort – Under a Desert Moon. The iconic dinner experience features a world class, four-course dinner that focuses on using fresh locally sourced produce.
Gallery
Places on the way
