The Red Centre
Yulara, Ayres Rock and The Olga's
Watching the sun rise, or set, over Uluru is a once in a lifetime 'must-do'. Or so says all the brochures. Forget the hype. For a truly remarkable experience, climb aboard a chopper and view it from the air.
Except for the fact that they must get up in the middle of the night to collect the passengers from their hotels, drive them to the heli-pad, and then wheel the chopper out, the chopper pilots must surely have the best jobs in the area. I think that even my camera wanted to say "Oooh" or "Aaaah" because the familiar 'click' was drowned out by expressions of rapture from the other passengers.
I have always told my children to avoid hotels with a name like 'Royal' or 'Grand' because they probably are not as the name implies. Fortunately I do not always follow my own advice. Our chopper trip was with a company called Professional Helicopter Services, and professional the definately were. Thanks guys.
And the best part is that while you are up there, you can get a brilliant view of the Olga's, a few kilometers away.
Except for the fact that they must get up in the middle of the night to collect the passengers from their hotels, drive them to the heli-pad, and then wheel the chopper out, the chopper pilots must surely have the best jobs in the area. I think that even my camera wanted to say "Oooh" or "Aaaah" because the familiar 'click' was drowned out by expressions of rapture from the other passengers.
I have always told my children to avoid hotels with a name like 'Royal' or 'Grand' because they probably are not as the name implies. Fortunately I do not always follow my own advice. Our chopper trip was with a company called Professional Helicopter Services, and professional the definately were. Thanks guys.
And the best part is that while you are up there, you can get a brilliant view of the Olga's, a few kilometers away.
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If you want to climb the rock, you had better start planning your journey now, because from the second half of 2019 climbing will be prohibited. But why would you want to climb when the traditional owners ask you not to because, to them, it is a sacred place.
There is as much to see from ground level. The old mans cave, the schoolroom, waterfalls and an array of flora. A few hours spent walking around the rock is a worthwhile activity.
Unlike the single stone mass that makes up Uluṟu, Kata Tjuṯa is made up of 36 imposing domed rock formations, aptly named ‘many heads’ in the local Aṉangu language. The alternative name, the Olgas, comes from the tallest peak Mt. Olga which was named after Queen Olga of Württemberg in 1872. This tallest peak stands at a towering 1066 metres above sea level. Only two walks are open to the public to protect the fragile desert environment and to allow the owners of the land to continue carrying out their ancient spiritual ceremonies.
There is as much to see from ground level. The old mans cave, the schoolroom, waterfalls and an array of flora. A few hours spent walking around the rock is a worthwhile activity.
Unlike the single stone mass that makes up Uluṟu, Kata Tjuṯa is made up of 36 imposing domed rock formations, aptly named ‘many heads’ in the local Aṉangu language. The alternative name, the Olgas, comes from the tallest peak Mt. Olga which was named after Queen Olga of Württemberg in 1872. This tallest peak stands at a towering 1066 metres above sea level. Only two walks are open to the public to protect the fragile desert environment and to allow the owners of the land to continue carrying out their ancient spiritual ceremonies.
Imagine taking shelter here to get away from the rain
The road to the Olgas
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The School Room
Climbing to rock
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