Monday – March 31, 2025
You have seen this rock before but until you get up close to it the size is hard to imagine. Uluru (Ayers Rock) was forced from under a sea during a tectonic event millions of years ago. The rock was actually a vertical section much like a soil boring would be today (but obviously on a much larger scale). The section was lifted up then fell over to display the form it now has. One end of Uluru is 15 million years older than the other end.
Today began with an early journey from our hotel to the Cairns airport. We traveled on a Qantas flight which was more roomy than the Jetstar flight from Perth to Cairns last Thursday. We had been watching the weather for a couple days and it didn’t look promising for our arrival at Uluru. That prediction became a reality when we landed in the rain. Couldn’t even see Uluru from the air due to the cloud cover and rain.
We got our bags, loaded them on our bus and began driving toward Uluru. We weren’t aware of it but the original intent was to drive completely around the base of the rock (9.3 km) and stop along the way to go on a couple short walks. I had packed my camera in my checked luggage so didn’t have anything with which to take photos. Kelsey and Jan used their phones for the first area where we stopped – Mala Walk. By the time we reached the second stop I asked the driver if I could get into my bag and retrieve the camera. He opened the luggage area below the seats, I got the camera and took photos (some with water spots noticeable).
We were disappointed to reach Uluru while it was raining but those who had been to Uluru before and most who work in the area said it was a rarity to have rain and waterfalls so we were actually lucky to see both. I guess that is true but when you expect to see one thing and what you actually see is totally different it can be disappointing. We made the best if it and learned much as we took the short walks.
The Anangu are guarded about how much of their legend related to Uluru they pass on to outsiders. Our driver was only given 3 stories he could repeat. One had to do with a man who took refuge in a cave near the top of the rock. A second had to do with a woman whose relative had been injured by a tribe and left to die. She shape shifts from a snake to a woman, comes back and kills the person who caused the injury and shape shifted again into a snake to watch over the area. That story is named Tjukuritja. One of the photos in today’s media explains this story. I don’t recall the third story. All the stories are meant to explain the markings on Uluru.
We continued on the Kuliya walk to Mititjulu Waterhole which was being filled by all the water running down the sides of Uluru. We paused at this sight and didn’t speak for a couple minutes. It was a very relaxing feeling hearing only the sounds of nature and the flowing water. There is video and photos from the waterhole in today’s media.
Back at the bus we drove to a spot that is used in the evening to view Uluru. The color of the rock was much different due to all the water but you could get a sense of the size of the rock. You could also see the path worn in the rock where people used to climb to the top. The practice of climbing Uluru was halted in 2019 after a ruling council of 12 (4 Australians, 4 Anangu and 4 park rangers) agreed it should be halted. There was a chain that had been affixed to the rock to assist people as they began and ended the steep climb. That chain was removed in 2019. As you view the photos from today’s media, that path is about one-quarter of the way over from the right side of the rock.
While we were at this viewing area we took a photo of our group of 9 passengers and 1 MSC staff. There is also a photo of Sandra and today’s driver, Andy.
We drove on to the Ayers Rock Resort where we had lunch. Before we left MSC Magnifica we were asked to select 2 items from a list of starters, main and dessert. I chose cauliflower steak and a dessert of 3 sorbets. There are photos of both in today’s media.
Following lunch we checked into Sails In The Desert – one of the hotels at the resort. I believe it was originally a Sheraton hotel but now is a part of the Ayers Rock Resort. We found the room comfortable and it also had a nice shower like the Sheraton in Port Douglas. Most of the walkway between our room and the reception and eating area was covered so the rain was only a nuisance.
We met at the main dining area for a buffet dinner that was quite extensive and included kangaroo as one of the meats. It also had a chocolate fountain and many different desserts – including macaroons which Kelsey has become addicted to!
Video and photos from the day we arrived at Uluru (Ayers Rock).
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