Uluru - Kata Tjuta National Park, Yulara - Ayers Rock Campground

 27 April - 1 May 2022

We left Curtin Spings after a slightly early morning tea, to travel the 80 or so kilometres to Yulara. Along the way we pulled into a rest stop with a dune walk that provided great views. Camping is permitted at this rest area but there are no facilities.  We arrived at Yulara around 11:00am and were able to check in to our powered site in the camping area. We had requested a specific section at the base of a dune, where we had camped last time we visited. We settled onto site 22 and enjoyed not having any rear neighbours apart from the birds. Many people only stay a day or 2 but we booked for 4 nights this time. Last time we visited we went on most of the walks at both Uluru and Kata Tjuta but this time the one thing on our list was the base walk.

In the afternoon we headed into the national park and to the sunset viewing area. Park passes can be purchased online or at the entrance to the park. We took our chairs, drinks and snacks with us and set up at the far end of the carpark where we knew we would get the best views. Unfortunately the sky didn't oblige with the best cloud cover but we did get some nice photos anyway.

The following day was well over 30° so we decided that any serious walking was out of the question. Instead we occupied our time in and around the resort - tidying, washing, shopping and going for a swim. Late in the afternoon we walked to the Naninga Lookout at top of the dune behind us to check on the clouds but decided against a return visit to the sunset viewing area. We had another 2 nights and hoped we might still get a good one.

Looking at the weather forecast for our second full day, at 27° maximum and cloudy we decided that would be the perfect conditions for the base walk. We set the alarm for 5:45am and were at the start at the start of the walk at 7:15am. As suggested, we set off in a clockwise direction carrying snacks and plenty of water, and wearing hats and good walking shoes. The walk is quite easy, but is rated moderate probably because of the distance. It was so interesting to see the chaging shape and features as we walked. There are a number of seats along the way, the first being at about the 3.5km mark. There is also a toilet at about half way although it is not signposted - it is back up on the road, not far from a sheltered seating area.

The walk is about 10.8 kilometres and took us about 2½ hours with plenty of stops along the way. Signage explains some of the Dreaming associated with Uluru and also those sacred and sensitive places where photography is not permitted. We started the walk at the Mala Carpark and did the short detour to Mutitjulu Waterhole. It is hard not to be awed by the experience of being in this very special place.

After a quiet afternoon we again climbed the dune behind us and liked the look of the sky so we headed back to the sunset viewing spot and this time Mick did get some craker shots. When we went down there on Wednesday there was hardly anyone there, but on Friday there were heaps - all enjoying the mild temperatures and fabulous views. 

We did contemplate going out to one of the sunrise viewing spots for Saturday morning, but the  forecast wasn't great so we had a lazy morning at camp instead. We did go for a walk up to Imalung Lookout which is on a dune in the middle of the resort, before doing some grocery shopping and fuelling up ready for the next leg of our journey which would see us away from shops (and phone signal) for 9 days.