Travel | Uluru Revisited - Elements i love...

2 min read

As each and everyone of us wrestles with the mixed set of challenges that Covid has brought - the upside has surely been the opportunity to explore our own country. However with much of greater Sydney and some of NSW currently in lockdown I thought I would take a moment to revisit our trip to Uluṟu-Kata Tjuṯa National Park back in 2019.
Something to put on the once this is all over list , or once we get out of lockdown etc ....

Leaving our populated coastline and flying inland for hours reminds me of what a vast country we live in. From the air the land has a sense of sparseness with barely-there vegetation. However once on the ground, it is clear how much biodiversity exists in this landscape - not to mention the sheer magic of desert colours. The ghostly white spinifex against the ochre of the earth and the blue, blue sky. I managed to get my lovely mum up at 4.am so we could capture the sunrise ! Despite the temperature being a very chilly 8 degrees she loved it .. (Make time to visit Kata Tjuta and put Kings Canyon on the list)

The last few years have made many of us reassess our priorities and none more so than travel. We're probably all guilty of overlooking this spectacular UNESCO World Heritage site that is millions of years old and on our doorstep. For me travelling here emphasized how much there is to learn about our own country, First Nations people and their ancient culture.

‘Come with an open mind and heart and immerse yourself in it ’. After thirty-four years the climbing of Uluru came to an end in 2018, finally bringing peace for the Anangu people - the traditional owners. I've never been a great climber of monuments, its a bit like the Everest argument - maybe its more about ego and conquering than anything else. For me, the beauty is being in nature. Not climbing on top of it.

“Once the focus is away from the climb, there is going to be more focus on the culture and the environment and that is what this park is world-listed for.” Tijiangu Thomas

The closing of the climb was a powerful message. It is not only sacred places that need to be protected from the many feet that now travel the world; living landscapes like old growth forests and cultural places across the world should be respected and protected for future generations…

There was something spiritual and moving about the landscape, words cannot explain it - but like many moments in life it is only when you experience it for yourself that you truly understand it.

Between lockdowns and border closures it's clear that many Australians love a road trip and have taken to the red earth, big canyons and dreamtime skies in the past few months...as beautiful images have popped up on my socials. If you are lucky enough to get to travel there just make sure your shoes are made for walking…