Yulara - Uluru days
We had so much fun at Uluru it's got it's own blog post!
Yulara is the town, and Ayers Rock Resort is a huge area in this town.
Ayers Rock Resort, a large resort with a variety of accommodation options ranging from the campground, to backpacker lodges, to self contained apartments and fancy hotels. With a town centre with a supermarket, Post Office, and a variety of shops and cafes. There's a free shuttle which takes tourists around the Resort area. The boys loved this, especially Xavier.
Saturday 28th April
Our first morning we had a quiet morning, waking josh at 9am we set off to visit the big rock. Climbing Uluru was closed first thing due to high winds so we decided to walk the base walk. With the Nicholas' we embarked on the 10.5km walk , an easy walk but a long one,especially with the young legs of Xavier, and at times Mitch too. It was hot but the view up close was amazing. The waterhole and the story of the last emu. The Aboriginal people would only hunt the last emu, so that the other Emus would come back again tomorrow.
A late lunch at the cafe with views of Uluru, we headed back to camp for a rest.
Back to Uluru for sunset with Brett, Heather, Tim, Bethany, Frank, Jessie, Mark and Lisa. A beautiful setting amongst friends in the desert. We enjoyed champagne ( thanks Jess) and nibbles as the sunset on Uluru. Some fantastic sights with rain clouds coming through the moon light near Uluru and on the other side of the road sunshine coming through the clouds. A brief moment the sun shone on the rock giving it a beautiful red glow. What a way to finish a great day!
Sunday 29 April
Waking to a wind breezing at the campground we thought we were in for a quiet morning. But we were lucky the climb was open, all systems go. Heather kindly offered to look after Xavier which he was more than happy about.
We made the climb up Uluru , a 3 km steep climb, taking us 2 hours 15 min. Brett, Tim, Bethany, Brad, Josh, Mitch and I made it to the top!! The kids did a fantastic job , almost fearless at times. Quite windy up the top , Brett lost his hat in a wind gust. It wasn't too hot at all, making it a very enjoyable climb. It really is a sense of accomplishment having made it. A great thing to have done with Brad, Josh and Mitch before they close climbing. In the near future (October 2018) you will no longer be allowed to climb. This was the last opportunity for Brad and the boys, which of course made them want to do it more. It's an amazing climb. We did witness some idiotic behaviours, like climbing off the path to follow a hat that had blown off ( not Brett!).
A restful afternoon then back out again. This time to Field of Light. Bruce Munro, a UK artist designed a light show amongst the fields. There are 50000 lights that are solar powered amongst spinifex with Uluru in the background. Well I say in the background, we couldn't see as it was dark but it's on the brochure. It was nice, but maybe we are spoilt with Vivid being a free event in Sydney as it didn't feel worth the money that we paid.
Monday 30th April
An incredibly quiet day, restocking, reorganizing and getting the car looked at due to not being able to engage 4WD. Thankfully only a sensor and safe to drive.
We spent some time in the town centre, wanderings through the shops and having coffee/milkshakes at the cafe which is a training cafe for Aboriginal people.
We enjoyed a talk about Aboriginal weapons and their different uses, as well as some time at the Astro Hub with science activities for the boys.
Xavier's teacher from Best Kidz arrived today with her boyfriend. We visited them at the Sails in the Desert, they kindly brought some shoes, a card and gift from Gran and Grandad. Xavier enjoyed seeing Miss Kelly, and we got a photo with Poppi the Best Kidz soft toy we are travelling with.
Our last night with the Nicholas' and we headed back to the Outback Pioneer Hotel for dinner. The boys enjoyed the free bus shuttle service and we all enjoyed good company. It's been a great trip, we've made some new friends that also love 4WD, camping and adventures! I'm sure we will see our desert wandering friends again.
Yulara is the town, and Ayers Rock Resort is a huge area in this town.
Ayers Rock Resort, a large resort with a variety of accommodation options ranging from the campground, to backpacker lodges, to self contained apartments and fancy hotels. With a town centre with a supermarket, Post Office, and a variety of shops and cafes. There's a free shuttle which takes tourists around the Resort area. The boys loved this, especially Xavier.
Saturday 28th April
Our first morning we had a quiet morning, waking josh at 9am we set off to visit the big rock. Climbing Uluru was closed first thing due to high winds so we decided to walk the base walk. With the Nicholas' we embarked on the 10.5km walk , an easy walk but a long one,especially with the young legs of Xavier, and at times Mitch too. It was hot but the view up close was amazing. The waterhole and the story of the last emu. The Aboriginal people would only hunt the last emu, so that the other Emus would come back again tomorrow.
A late lunch at the cafe with views of Uluru, we headed back to camp for a rest.
Back to Uluru for sunset with Brett, Heather, Tim, Bethany, Frank, Jessie, Mark and Lisa. A beautiful setting amongst friends in the desert. We enjoyed champagne ( thanks Jess) and nibbles as the sunset on Uluru. Some fantastic sights with rain clouds coming through the moon light near Uluru and on the other side of the road sunshine coming through the clouds. A brief moment the sun shone on the rock giving it a beautiful red glow. What a way to finish a great day!
Sunday 29 April
Waking to a wind breezing at the campground we thought we were in for a quiet morning. But we were lucky the climb was open, all systems go. Heather kindly offered to look after Xavier which he was more than happy about.
We made the climb up Uluru , a 3 km steep climb, taking us 2 hours 15 min. Brett, Tim, Bethany, Brad, Josh, Mitch and I made it to the top!! The kids did a fantastic job , almost fearless at times. Quite windy up the top , Brett lost his hat in a wind gust. It wasn't too hot at all, making it a very enjoyable climb. It really is a sense of accomplishment having made it. A great thing to have done with Brad, Josh and Mitch before they close climbing. In the near future (October 2018) you will no longer be allowed to climb. This was the last opportunity for Brad and the boys, which of course made them want to do it more. It's an amazing climb. We did witness some idiotic behaviours, like climbing off the path to follow a hat that had blown off ( not Brett!).
A restful afternoon then back out again. This time to Field of Light. Bruce Munro, a UK artist designed a light show amongst the fields. There are 50000 lights that are solar powered amongst spinifex with Uluru in the background. Well I say in the background, we couldn't see as it was dark but it's on the brochure. It was nice, but maybe we are spoilt with Vivid being a free event in Sydney as it didn't feel worth the money that we paid.
Monday 30th April
An incredibly quiet day, restocking, reorganizing and getting the car looked at due to not being able to engage 4WD. Thankfully only a sensor and safe to drive.
We spent some time in the town centre, wanderings through the shops and having coffee/milkshakes at the cafe which is a training cafe for Aboriginal people.
We enjoyed a talk about Aboriginal weapons and their different uses, as well as some time at the Astro Hub with science activities for the boys.
Xavier's teacher from Best Kidz arrived today with her boyfriend. We visited them at the Sails in the Desert, they kindly brought some shoes, a card and gift from Gran and Grandad. Xavier enjoyed seeing Miss Kelly, and we got a photo with Poppi the Best Kidz soft toy we are travelling with.
Our last night with the Nicholas' and we headed back to the Outback Pioneer Hotel for dinner. The boys enjoyed the free bus shuttle service and we all enjoyed good company. It's been a great trip, we've made some new friends that also love 4WD, camping and adventures! I'm sure we will see our desert wandering friends again.
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