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NORTHERN TERRITORY HOLIDAY REVIEWS
Northern Territory
Probably one of the most remote places left on the planet, the Northern Territory occupies the centre of Australia, a massive area relatively devoid of population but big on natural wonders. An adventurous spirit is required to holiday in the Northern Territory, site of the mysterious Uluru (Ayers Rock) and home to some quirky “Outback”more
Probably one of the most remote places left on the planet, the Northern Territory occupies the centre of Australia, a massive area relatively devoid of population but big on natural wonders. An adventurous spirit is required to holiday in the Northern Territory, site of the mysterious Uluru (Ayers Rock) and home to some quirky “Outback”more
The desolate red heart of Australia - Kirby Go. Date of travel: Feb 2007
When is a rock not just a rock? When it's 3.6 km long and 348 meters high, and attracts 300,000 visitors a year. Uluru, or the "rock star" formerly known as Ayers rock is all that and more. Hot desert wind hit me as soon as I stepped off my Qantas aircraft, I took a breath of dry fresh air, and fed my lungs with something other that recycled air that I've been breathing in flight for about 20 hours. I looked around the runway and over the chain linked fence, all I see is flat sandy and shrubby desert as far as my eyes can see. I am now officially in the middle of nowhere, tucked in one of the farthest corner of the world. That thought made me smile. A free shuttle picked up all the tourists, and drove us to Yulara, a made up town to service the booming tourist industry of Uluru, which is 20 km away. There are only less than half a dozen accommodation options. I was dropped off at Outback pioneer resort, it was actually nicer than I anticipated, a cluster of small building spread out over the resort compound, includes the reception, gift shop, travel agency, car rental, three restaurants, a pool, a bar with live evening entertainment, and desert trails behind the resort. The first night, I can't wait to eat Australia's game meats. Menu includes kangaroo, Emu, crocodile that peak my interest. I can't decide which one to get so I order all three of them. They give you the steak and you barbecue them yourself and an all you eat salad bar, I was in heaven. I later asked the waitress if they serve Koala, and she gave me a dirty look. My alarm woke me up the next morning at 4:30, I booked myself a sunrise tour, it was a good 20 minutes drive before we reach the official sunrise viewing area. I counted 11 buses. There was definitely an air of quiet excitement in the air. We were served hot beverages and a snack. Soon after the sun peeks over the horizon and sends its first bright beam, Uluru emerged from the safe embrace of the moonlight, as his dark silhouette, gave way to dark brown, red, and ochre, there was an eerie silence as the crowd was held mesmerized by the grand entrance, the only sound was the clicking of cameras. No picture would have prepared me for its grandeur. Uluru impressed me with its beauty and mystique. After the sunrise we were drove right to Uluru for a close encounter. I joined a guided tour for a few sites with the park ranger. He told us a few stories of the traditional owners of Uluru called the Anangu. Uluru is steeped in cultural and spiritual significance to them. We were told of some of their ritual and ceremonies, their way of life and the different plants and trees that served as food, medicine and tools, we were also shown a few caves and ancient cave arts, and a beautiful gorge with water hole. An hour and a half later we'd only covered a few meters. I am not done with Uluru, as most tourist head back to the hotel, I wanted to climb it. The parks board, have installed some steps for people to do so, but the weirdest thing is right before the step there was a huge sign, also installed by the parks board urging people to not to climb it as the Anangu people held a deep ceremonial meaning to the climb, they find it terribly offensive - tantamount to someone peeing in the pulpit! I resist the urge and respected the wish of the traditional owners and did not climb, even if the Australian parks board is sending mixed messages. What I did instead is walked abound the whole base, its about 9.6 km around, completely doable until you're faced with 45 degree heat, and legions of flies swarming you. I set out for my walk, I took my time, as I explored the different sides of the rock, I pretty much have the whole place to myself. Most of the tourist have gone home. As a matter of fact, I've only bumped into 2 couples during my walk, I've learned to ignore the flies after the first hour, I feel like one of those children from Africa with bloated stomachs and oblivious to the flies in their faces. They have became my companion, along with the different voices and colors of the wind that seem to speak to me, I love the tranquility of my walk as I took in the ancient wisdom this place has to teach me. I completed walking around it in 3 hours. Later that evening, as I drink my root beer and listen to a band playing in the resort, I looked around and realized that I have yet to see one single aboriginal, Anangu person. I did not encounter one in the whole resort, in the town of Yulara or even when I was hiking Uluru, I wasn't expecting a group of them with painted faces, half naked, dancing, but I find it disturbing that even in their traditional homeland, they are nowhere to be seen.
When is a rock not just a rock? When it's 3.6 km long and 348 meters high, and attracts 300,000 visitors a year. Uluru, or the "rock star" formerly known as Ayers rock is all that and more. Hot desert wind hit me as soon as I stepped off my Qantas aircraft, I took a breath of dry fresh air, and fed my lungs with something other that recycled air that I've been breathing in flight for about 20 hours. I looked around the runway and over the chain linked fence, all I see is flat sandy and shrubby desert as far as my eyes can see. I am now officially in the middle of nowhere, tucked in one of the farthest corner of the world. That thought made me smile. A free shuttle picked up all the tourists, and drove us to Yulara, a made up town to service the booming tourist industry of Uluru, which is 20 km away. There are only less than half a dozen accommodation options. I was dropped off at Outback pioneer resort, it was actually nicer than I anticipated, a cluster of small building spread out over the resort compound, includes the reception, gift shop, travel agency, car rental, three restaurants, a pool, a bar with live evening entertainment, and desert trails behind the resort. The first night, I can't wait to eat Australia's game meats. Menu includes kangaroo, Emu, crocodile that peak my interest. I can't decide which one to get so I order all three of them. They give you the steak and you barbecue them yourself and an all you eat salad bar, I was in heaven. I later asked the waitress if they serve Koala, and she gave me a dirty look. My alarm woke me up the next morning at 4:30, I booked myself a sunrise tour, it was a good 20 minutes drive before we reach the official sunrise viewing area. I counted 11 buses. There was definitely an air of quiet excitement in the air. We were served hot beverages and a snack. Soon after the sun peeks over the horizon and sends its first bright beam, Uluru emerged from the safe embrace of the moonlight, as his dark silhouette, gave way to dark brown, red, and ochre, there was an eerie silence as the crowd was held mesmerized by the grand entrance, the only sound was the clicking of cameras. No picture would have prepared me for its grandeur. Uluru impressed me with its beauty and mystique. After the sunrise we were drove right to Uluru for a close encounter. I joined a guided tour for a few sites with the park ranger. He told us a few stories of the traditional owners of Uluru called the Anangu. Uluru is steeped in cultural and spiritual significance to them. We were told of some of their ritual and ceremonies, their way of life and the different plants and trees that served as food, medicine and tools, we were also shown a few caves and ancient cave arts, and a beautiful gorge with water hole. An hour and a half later we'd only covered a few meters. I am not done with Uluru, as most tourist head back to the hotel, I wanted to climb it. The parks board, have installed some steps for people to do so, but the weirdest thing is right before the step there was a huge sign, also installed by the parks board urging people to not to climb it as the Anangu people held a deep ceremonial meaning to the climb, they find it terribly offensive - tantamount to someone peeing in the pulpit! I resist the urge and respected the wish of the traditional owners and did not climb, even if the Australian parks board is sending mixed messages. What I did instead is walked abound the whole base, its about 9.6 km around, completely doable until you're faced with 45 degree heat, and legions of flies swarming you. I set out for my walk, I took my time, as I explored the different sides of the rock, I pretty much have the whole place to myself. Most of the tourist have gone home. As a matter of fact, I've only bumped into 2 couples during my walk, I've learned to ignore the flies after the first hour, I feel like one of those children from Africa with bloated stomachs and oblivious to the flies in their faces. They have became my companion, along with the different voices and colors of the wind that seem to speak to me, I love the tranquility of my walk as I took in the ancient wisdom this place has to teach me. I completed walking around it in 3 hours. Later that evening, as I drink my root beer and listen to a band playing in the resort, I looked around and realized that I have yet to see one single aboriginal, Anangu person. I did not encounter one in the whole resort, in the town of Yulara or even when I was hiking Uluru, I wasn't expecting a group of them with painted faces, half naked, dancing, but I find it disturbing that even in their traditional homeland, they are nowhere to be seen.
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