Like many others, a road trip to Australia’s red centre has always been on my bucket list. After years of toying with the idea, I bit the bullet, hired a campervan and prepared myself for the twenty-four hour drive from Melbourne to Uluru.
Uluru was every bit as majestic and mesmerising as I imagined. Huge is an understatement. Imposing and utterly beautiful, we walked around the base of the giant rock and were able to appreciate the different crevices and shapes, and the colour changing as the sun hit it in different positions. It is definitely worth reading the signage and visitor information at the site which explains the history and significance of Uluru to the indigenous Australians who have lived in the region for thousands of years.
We also took the time to visit Kuja Kjata which was equally as impressive. These incredible formations allow you to appreciate the might of nature.
The roadtrip in itself wasn’t as challenging as I thought it would be. There was quite a lot of kangaroo, sheep and emu roadkill along the way which was a bit daunting, but on the positive side we saw a number of gigantic wedge tail eagles feeding on roadkill. It was an unexpectedly incredible sight!
On the 24 hour drive back to Melbourne, we stopped in the South Australian town of Hahndorf which I also highly recommend. It’s adorable town with a German feel, filled with luscious greenery and European architecture. Such a contrast to the outback!
Tips
- Fly nets for your face are a must when away from the resorts. You may think it’s a tourist gimic, but the flies are intense at both Uluru and the Olgas.
- If you get a chance, do see the Field of Light display at Uluru, it is a stunning light display against the desert landscape.
- Kangaroos travel on the road as the sun starts going down. It’s amazing to see a kangaroo roaming free in the outback, but the risk of hitting one outweighs the reward, so try to avoid driving at sunset.
- Throw out all fruit and vegetables before crossing into South Australia and passing the Quarantine point. We made the mistake of accidentally carrying one tomato, which thanks to a fine has now become the most expensive tomato in the world…
