Cultural Experiences: Visiting Uluru
Stuck between a rock and a hard place when it comes to a gift for that ultimate thrill-seeker and top cultural enthusiast who has done pretty much everything out there? Fear not! Gifting Owl has you covered. We have an exhilarating catalogue of experiences sure to make some metamorphic memories in the very sacred heart of Australia's red centre.
Experiences that are vibrant with history and embedded with a rich living culture that has survived for over 60,000 years. You can be certain your giftee will never have experienced the sensation of trailing across the red sand dunes by camel's back on a clear crimson morning. Or the hidden exoticism of the tropical flora and fauna that lies in the ancient shadows of one of Australia’s most iconic landmarks, Uluru. Also known as Ayers Rock, Uluru is located in the Kata Tjuta National Park.
The breathtaking rock stands a staggering 348 metres tall, making it higher than the Eiffel Tower, not to mention one of the biggest and most impressive natural phenomena in all of Aus. The chance to explore Uluru and witness first-hand it’s intrinsic spirituality is a gift voucher that is bound to rock anyone’s world. Even the most well-travelled holidaymaker will never have felt goosebumps quite like those as they stare in awe at the sheer vastness and wondrous beauty of Uluru.
Memorable Segway Tours
You might be looking to treat that special someone to an up-close and personal experience, and what better way to do so than by speeding down the smooth sandstone paths by segway, as Uluru towers over you in all its red rock glory. If you’re an early riser, then there is no more suitable package than the Uluru sunrise and segway tour- after all the early bird catches the worm, right? And who needs wings when you can simply hop on a pair of electric wheels?!
This fun-filled 5-hour adventure commences with a complimentary ride from wherever you choose to stay at Ayers Rock Resort to the Uluru site itself. You will be treated to a light breakfast as you watch the spectacular sunrise, which is always guaranteed in Central Australia! The time of sunrise changes with the seasons, but here at Gifting Owl, we recommend the best time to book your trip is in autumn or springtime, with fewer variations in temperature so you can make the most of your hike. This is then followed with a segway training session, to hone your steering and balancing skills before venturing forth on your 2-hour wacky race excursion around the 9.4-kilometre circumference of the magnificent Uluru. Led by a local expert, you’ll learn about the exotic plant life as well as the astounding science behind the rock formation itself, which is believed to have formed a staggering 550 million years ago.
Be prepared for a fascinating geology lesson like nothing you have had before especially when the rock’s chameleon colours shapeshift in front of your very eyes from sunrise to sunset as you power along! But suppose geology isn’t your strong point. In that case, there is something for the biology fanatics out there. This trip finishes with a once in a lifetime chance to muse around the Mutitjulu Waterhole, where you can spot some of the 178 species of birds that inhabit the plains, such as nankeen kestrels and nesting black-breasted buzzards. Or maybe you’ve never been sold on science and would much prefer to grab that rock hammer and crack into the culture of the place, while comfortably sitting back and admiring the immense granite greatness from afar. Watch the stretching landscape brought to life with the infusion of history and culture, that meets firmly in the middle. You’ll have a chance to do so from the Talinguru Nyakunytjaku, which translates to ‘place to look from the sand dunes’, where you have the option to dine on some local cuisine while soaking up the sedimentary views with your loved ones.
Uluru stands as a proud natural museum of prehistoric art, exhibiting fossilised evidence of primitive human and animal existence that have inhabited the Uluru- Kata Tjuta park grounds for thousands of years. The granite canvas walls are plastered with Petroglyphs, where you can see the layers of Tjukurpa stories that have been passed down from generation to generation.
Still home to the Pitjantjatjara and Yankunytjatjara Aboriginal peoples, who refer to themselves as Anangu, Uluru remains a place of huge cultural significance having inhabited the area for some 22,000 years. For Anangu, Uluru holds powerful religious stature. It is a sacred place believed to be a resting place for ancient spirits. For this reason, climbing the rock is prohibited. Apart from its majestic physical impact, this deep and living Indigenous connection is one of the reasons why Uluru has been a favourite with tourists since the late 1950s. Many come to witness first-hand the spiritual presence inextricable from the land, which is so dearly valued by its Custodians.
So, here is your opportunity to rock your giftee’s world and set in stone some unforgettable memories. After all, no gift on earth can come close to matching the sensation of an intimate experience with the unexplainable beauty of nature.
