The enormous monolith and World Heritage Site of Uluru, also known as Ayers Rock, fascinates and inspires people from around the world with its glowing presence at sunrise and sunset. The Uluru and Kata Tjuta you see today are the remains of erosion that began around 500 million years ago. Both formations are but visible tips of enormous slabs of rock that extend as far as six kilometres into the ground.
Archaeological work suggests that Aboriginal people have lived in the area for at least 22,000 years. The Anangu people are Uluru's traditional custodians but until recently, the famous monolith was known as Ayers Rock, named after former premier Sir Henry Ayers by European explorer William Gosse, who first sighted the rock in 1873. Uluru was returned to the care and ownership of the Anangu in 1985 and they now jointly manage the national park with Parks Australia.
Due to its sacred history, it is important as a responsible traveller to consider the local history, people and customs of Ayers Rock.
You can help support the Uluru-Kata Tjuta region and the rich indigenous culture whilst learning about the area from an Aboriginal perspective, by visiting Uluru-Kata Tjuta Cultural Centre, buying local art or joining a tour with a local Aboriginal guide.
The main travel tip is that the Anangu people prefer visitors don't climb Uluru because it's a sacred site. So nowadays many visitors choose to do the 9.4 km Uluru base walk instead and I strongly recommend the full walk, as it really is a wonderful place to visit and spend time. The Ayers Rock walk is divided into sections, or visitors can choose to walk the entire circumference. It begins at the base of the climb and three to four hours should be allowed to complete it.
The unsealed Mereenie Loop is recognised as one the greatest desert drives in Australia. Connecting Alice Springs with Watarrka National Park and Uluru-Kata Tjuta via a stretch of dirt track that ploughs through the West MacDonnell Ranges, it's an interesting alternative to the Explorer's Way. Final tip, Australia can throw up tough travel conditions at times and to use a local travel expert or travel operator is always recommended.
| ©2009 Colin B Richards. All rights reserved. |
Here's a trip that James Bond wouldn't have the time for. But if you do, your Bond girl will never forget it. "She'll be catching her breath for six months."
Start in Orlando for a few days at DisneyWorld and get a hotel near "Downtown Disney" or at the Animal Kingdom Lodge. Then take AmTrak from there overnight to Philadelphia.
From the Philadelphia train station rent a car (with a
navigational system) and drive to Atlantic City to sea the
boardwalk, the Atlantic and gamble a little. There's not too
much else to do besides gamble and eat, so after
Read this article in full
There's no denying it's a busy world nowadays, and most of us lead lives to match. When it's time to get away from it all, even though many people seem quite prepared to go to the more crowded spots, for my money you can't beat a bit of peace and quiet and a chance to forget about the 21st century altogether.
One of the best places to go if you're looking for this sort of thing is not difficult to get to, though you may not have considered it before. I'm talking about Bonnie Scotland, of course, where despite its size
Read this article in full
High spirits and vitality govern in abundance when in Barcelona. This infectious capital of Catalonia, and second largest city in Spain, exudes soul and energy, living life to the full. Barcelona's verve is matched by its magnificent architecture, characterised by one man's signature, Antonio Gaudi.
Running from seafront through to Placa de Catalunya, Las Ramblas is a fusion of market stalls and street entertainment. Watch out for the mime artists, though keep a hand on your wallet.
In progress since 1882, La Sagrada Familia is perhaps Antonio Gaudi's most magnificent achievement. As yet
Read this article in full
Perched atop the Sierra Nevada is the world's second largest alpine lake, Lake Tahoe.
Vacation rentals in Lake Tahoe are situated in the midst of all major attractions such as world-class ski resorts, magnificent golf courses and excellent casinos. Lake Tahoe vacation rentals offers you a wide range of vacation homes ranging from affordable vacation rental homes to luxurious condos in both the regions of North Lake Tahoe and South Lake Tahoe. Straddled by California and Nevada on each end, a vacation home in Lake Tahoe is the best way to enjoy a perfect vacation. Whether you are a water sport
Read this article in full
In 2004, I completed two Inuit art buying trips to Iqaluit
(formerly Frobisher Bay), the capital of Nunavut, Canada's newest
territory. For both trips, I flew out of Ottawa on Canadian North
airlines. The other airline that services Nunavut is First Air.
Only the last half of the jets was allocated for passengers as
the entire first half was for cargo. Being so remote, Canadian
Arctic Inuit communities pretty well have to have everything
shipped up there by plane or by boat during the summers since
there are no roads connecting to the rest of Canada or even
between each Nunavut community. The Arctic landscape from the air
was desolate,
Read this article in full
 |
Download free Falls of Clyde Screensaver | |
 |
Travel Guide store | |
 |
Travel News | |
 |
Subscribe to News Feed [Disclaimer] |
We support this site using affiliate marketing as a way to earn revenue. All the ads, and many of the links mentioning other products, services, or websites are special links that earn us a commission when you use or pay for their product/service.
Please do not use our site if this alarms you.
