The Aussie outback is a fair dinkum wonder, mate. A vast expanse of crimson stretches beneath your strides while the blistering Aussie sun beats down. She's a tough old bird, the outback. Yet, big-ticket items like Uluru have lured tourists from across the globe to explore the rugged Aussie bush. I recently set off on a ripper of an adventure to Uluru and Alice Springs, chasing some top-notch experiences.
During a week in the Aussie bush, I was up at Sparrow's fart every day, keen to make the most of my time in the red centre. Here's a rundown of the adrenaline-pumping adventures I got up to.
8 Top-Notch Activities in Uluru
Uluru is one of the world's biggest rocks and a true blue Aussie icon. This UNESCO World Heritage site is sacred to the traditional Aboriginal owners. Most activities in Uluru revolve around the rock itself.
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Sunrise Camel Ride with Uluru View
As dawn cracked, we slowly trekked through the colourful dunes, Uluru in sight. We were up before the sparrows, and by the time we mounted our camels, the outback was already awash with soft hues. The sunrise camel ride tour offered a bonza view of Uluru at dawn and was a highlight of my Uluru trip. We strolled through the shrubs and dunes, eyes fixed on Uluru as the colours shifted with the rising sun. The camels were really friendly and loved a good pat. This was one of the most chilled-out experiences in Uluru and a beautiful way to kick off the day.
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Sunset Viewpoint
On my first night in Uluru, we ventured out of the national park to a viewpoint that looked out over the dunes towards Uluru. While the sun sets opposite over Kata Tjuta, this spot is ace for watching Uluru's colours change as the sun dips. Being adventurous, I spiced up our viewpoint visit with some downhill dune-hopping action.
Uluru has a cracking Alice Springs Uluru Tour, where you visit the base of Uluru during the day and then head to a stunning lookout for wine, snacks, and dinner at sunset.
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Skydiving
Is there a more adventurous way to see Uluru than leaping out of a plane for the best view? No way, Jose. We jumped out of the plane after flying directly over Uluru, and once the adrenaline settled, the views were mind-blowing. Uluru looks heaps different from the air. The landscape was greener than I expected and almost didn't look like the desert.
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Bike Riding Around the Base of Uluru
Not all of us adventurers have deep pockets. We're always on the lookout for the best bang-for-buck experiences. For me, biking around the base is the most budget-friendly way to get up close and personal with the iconic rock while still getting a bit of a workout. It's 15km around the base, and by choosing a bike, you get to see every nook, cranny, and cave on Uluru's walls. Signs along the way offer a bit of history, insight into Uluru's significance, and a heads-up about sensitive areas you're not allowed to snap photos of.
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Field of Lights
The Field of Lights is a mind-boggling attraction, mate. Renowned artist Bruce Munro has put together an installation of 50,000 solar lights. These lights create a stunning spread of colors, mimicking a sunset beneath Uluru. You can wander through the lights or take in the view from the hilltop. Give yourself a spin, and you'll cop a squiz at the epic sights of Kata Tjuta as the sun dips in the background.
The Field of Lights tour takes you through this incredible sight at Uluru, with the rock glowing in the backdrop. You'll be sorted with a cuppa during this sunrise tour, leaving you gobsmacked. No worries about getting there and back, as free pick-up and drop-off to your hotel are sorted.
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Kata Tjuta
Kata Tjuta often plays second fiddle to Uluru, but it's a ripper of a spot in the Uluru region. It consists of 36 domes stretched across 20 kilometres. The tallest dome is Mount Olga, named in honour of Queen Olga of Württemberg by explorer Ernest Giles.
A top-notch tour takes you to Uluru for sunrise, then heads over to Kata Tjuta for a stunning sunrise view, followed by a stroll at the base of Walpa Gorge.
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Kings Canyon
Kings Canyon is a legendary spot in the Aussie outback. We kipped in a hotel nearby the night before and hit up Kings Canyon early in the morning. The 45-minute hike leads you to a natural marvel. The canyon snakes as far as the eye can see, eventually disappearing from view. This spot is otherworldly at sunrise as the light slowly sneaks through the canyon. We spent hours here, just taking in the rock formations.
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Ormiston Gorge
Ellery Creek is the Aussie version of an oasis. We left the red dirt track and briefly walked into the bush. We strolled alongside a sandy bank, wondering where this hidden waterhole might be. Before we knew it, we'd stumbled upon the outback beach! Sandbanks and gum trees circled a tranquil waterhole, a favourite haunt for the locals from Alice Springs. A few cheeky jumps off mini-cliffs and some antics at the waterhole, followed by a solid chill in the sun, made this one of the highlights of our trip.