Australia’s Outback: My Trip to Uluru

Whether it is a relaxing day at the beach, an adventurous trek though costal forests or an evening at the Sydney harbor, many people associate life in Australia with the ocean. The vast majority of Australians live within driving distance of the ocean, and almost every major city is on the coast. But Australia isn’t only a coastal country, and if you venture further inland and off the beaten path, you will find a whole new world.

The interior of Australia, known as the outback, is a massive flat area with not much in the way of water. But in the middle of this empty arid expanse, is an incredible and unique natural wonder, Uluru.

Getting to Uluru (also known as Ayer’s rock) is as easy as flying to the Ayer’s Rock Airport followed by about a 20 min drive. You can stay in the nearby town of Yulara. However it’s also common to fly into Alice Springs (about 5 hours away) because the flights are typically more affordable and then you can take a multi-day tour to see Uluru.

There is a surprising amount of things to do in a town with such a small population of less than 1,000 people. Besides the many incredible hiking trails and viewing spots, there are Aboriginal cultural centers, arts shops, museums, and an event amphitheater. After the sun sets, Uluru has the most spectacular night-sky in the world, so star-gazing is a must-do. Best of all, there are camel rides.

Uluru itself is the main attraction, and there is hike around the base that provides a few hours of cultural learning and spiritual growth, with some great photo-ops to boot. The formation is a culturally and spiritually significant symbol to the Aboriginal people of central Australia, acting as a holy area and an educational center. The people there have recorded their history on the rock itself, dating back thousands of years. It is incredible to experience, and anyone interested in spirituality shouldn’t miss out.

Because the Uluru is in the middle of a massive desert, there are some things to keep in mind. It is insanely hot there, so water and sunscreen are a must. Also, there are flies everywhere, and their favorite spot to land is directly on your face.  But the flies and heat are small prices to pay for something so beautiful. If you get tired of beach days and city life, take a trip to one of the great natural wonders of the world. Plus, you might get hug a camel.

James Jolly is a TEAN Alum and student at Drake University. He was a TEAN Featured Blogger this past semester while studying abroad with TEAN in Newcastle, Australia.