Here we are again. Travelling in Australia.
In May 2018 I took a sabbatical to Uluru. It's a trip I'd always wanted to make. 

The desert is a mesmerising place, the red soil/sand, the landscape, a sight to be seen, and it stretches for miles. 

Watching from the plane  did not disappoint, the landscape was, I though similar to the moon... well after all I'm a writer.

I started my journey by plane from Port Macquarie in New South Wales to Uluru Airport near Yulara, Northern Territory, about 5 hours’ drive from Alice Springs, and then coach to my accommodation at the Desert Gardens Hotel in Yulara. 

Walpa Gorge Walk 

Excitement and anticipation were bubbling over on my arrival. I'd decided to combine two loves in one trip.

1. Bush walking around Uluru (Ayers Rock), and Kata Tijuta (The Olgas)

2. Taking part in Rachel Scoltock's "Angels at Uluru Retreat"

On the first day after my arrival I took time to get my bearings and picked up my hire car. I wanted to visit  Uluru and Kata Tjuta when and how many times I wanted, and  not have to rely on other forms of transport. It was a good move.

That evening I drove out to Uluru to see the sun setting. It was simply magnificent, the changes in colour as the sun set were amazing, and breathtakingly beautiful.

I'd been told about the aura of the Rock many times, but until I'd experienced it myself... words fail me. I didn't even take a photo the first evening, the atmosphere was just too enlightening.

Two days of Rachel's excellent workshop, a prayer session at the women's waterhole, and an evening camel ride, took up the weekend, and had me in a great space for exploring the desert landscape. 

I actually love camels, my family think I'm mad, 'dirty and smelly animals", they say, for me camels are all big brown eyes, and velvet hide. I've had camel rides in many different situations and countries... I never tire of them, and I think they like me too. 

I made numerous trips out to Uluru and Kata Tjuta... early morning for walking around the circumference of the Uluru, and the walking trails at Kata Tjuta, returning for some sunset shots.

Uluru, Northern Territory, Australia

If you're not aware Uluru is a massive sand stone monolith in the Northern Territory's 'Red Centre', it is situated in the same national park as Kata Tjuta, a large group of domed rock formations or bornhardts, located 360 km southeast of Alice Springs in the Kata Tjuta National Park.

Kings Canyon Creek

Kata Tjuta is jointly managed by the Anangu people who are the traditional, and current owners of this land. There is a wonderful Art Gallery of Indigenous work and Information Centre out at Uluru, not to be missed. 

May was a great time of year for this trip, with the heat being pleasant, and the flies bearable... the great 'Australian Wave' was not needed to badly.

There was a trip out to Kings Canyon Walk, stretching at the western end of the George Gill Range. The walk is strenuous, a near 90 degree climb up, there is a gentler view of the range if you wish, and takes you through the creek area.

At Kings Canyon I took a helicopter flight over the George Gill Range, from this height, Uluru is still visible.

We flew over deep valleys, amazing rock formations, and sky-scraping trees, truly humbling scenery.

This was for me a trip of a lifetime, and although I've not done it yet, a return trip has always been on the cards. 

Probably fly into Alice Springs next time, hire a camper, take a few weeks, and drive further than Kings Canyon, of course, not without a few days to hang, and breath in the brilliance of the Uluru area, and culture.

Kata Tjuta means 'Many Heads' in Pitjantjatjara

Suffice to say I'm so happy for the Anangu People that you can no longer climb Uluru. The tradition of climbing Uluru caused great suffering for the Anangu peoples, especially when there was a fatality of the climb. Please never forget that this site is of cultural heritage,  and the greatest of respect should always be observed. 

What trips are on your wish list.