Who – August 24, 2019

including crocodile, kangaroo and barramundi,

all matched with Australian wines.

After all of the light of day falls away, staff

switch off our lamps and above us appears a

vivid star show the clarity of which I’ve never

seen before. A Star Talker teaches us how to

identify the constellations that shine above us

and how they lead Aboriginal stories.

Sitting under the sparkling sky as the

temperatures drop, I feel incredibly lucky

to be witnessing such natural beauty.

After a restful night’s sleep, I wake early for

delicious breakfast at Ilkari before taking off

for a tour of Kata Tjuta and the Valley of the

Winds with AAT Kings, who collect a small

group of us in a coach at 6.30am.

We arrive just as the sun is rising for what

will be a three-hour hike through these

impressive rock formations.

Our knowledgeable guide tells us about the

geology and history of the area and explains

how the traditional people of the land use the

earth to heal ailments.

We’re the first group to arrive here and the

stillness is breathtaking.

A winding walk through curves of orange

stone and a climb upward over jagged rocks

bring us to the Valley of the Winds.

The valley appears almost unexpectedly

after a short climb up through rugged terrain

and the view is unlike anything I’ve seen.

Beyond the valley are more magnificent

rock formations, each different to the last.

My voice echoes as I let out an appreciative

‘Wow’ a word I’ll repeat on the trip to Uluru.

After an afternoon of rest, I head to the

Uluru Camel Farm where I take a beautiful,

relaxing hour-long camel ride through the

dunes to the Field of Light, an installation by

internationally celebrated artist, Bruce Munro.

Munro meticulously created the inspiring

colourful artwork that comes to life as the sun

falls over Uluru. It’s a truly magical experience,

wanderingthroughtheilluminatedfieldmade

upof50,000spindlesoflightinthequietofthe

desertandoneI’llneverforget.

Thenextmorning,I wakeearlyagainto

departforanUlurusunriseandsegway

experience.WhenI arriveatUlurujustasthe

sunisrising,it’sa breezyfourdegreesanda

rayofpinkisilluminatingtheskybehindthe

sacredredrock.

I hearothersrepeatwhatI’mthinking;

there’ssomethingintheairhere.

It’sa feelingofsignificancebeyondthe

beautyoftheformationitself.

Aftera quicklessoninsegwaying,I’moff

buzzingaroundwitha tourguidewhotells

methatUlurustartedunderwaterandbegan

withtwofans,onemadeofsandandanother

ofconglomeraterock.Duetomovementofthe

earth’splates,thepressureresultedinthese

twofanscondensingintorockandasAustralia

driedup,Uluruappearedasweknowit today.

Asweventurearoundthisgreatspace,we

passcavesandsacredspaces– spotswe’ll

feelfortunatetoseewiththenakedeye

andrespectfullynotphotographdueto

theirculturalsignificancetothetraditional

ownersoftheland.

AsweneartheendofourUlurutour,we

noticethattouristsarestillflockingtoclimb

themonolith– anactivitythatwillbeillegal

fromOctober26.

Afterourtour,weleavethesegwaysand

walktowardstherockwhereweseetraditional

paintingsandmarkingsundertheroofofa

cave,blackenedbyyearsoffireusedtowarm

thespaceinthecoldofthenight.

LeavingUluru,I’mgratefultohaveseen

it andI vowtobringmyfamilybacktothistruly

remarkabledestination.

ayersrockresort.com.au

The Sounds of Silence
dinner takes you on
a culinary journey
of native foods and
matched wines.

The Field of Light

by renowned

artist Bruce

Munro.

The comfortable

superior room at

Sails in the Desert.

Who l 71