In the fall of 2017, the board of Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park voted unanimously to ban the climbing of Uluru—it’s about time.
For the uninitiated, Uluru is a large sandstone rock formation in Australia’s Northern Territory. Standing next to it feels like you’re in the colossal outfield of some cosmic ball game. With nothing but rusted sand and brush around it for miles, it juts out of the earth, a huge, forgotten plaything of giants. It’s monolithic. Its presence is a near-anomaly.
The ban, which is set to be imposed in October 2019, might disappoint tourists, but it shouldn’t. Frankly, it’s high time that climbing this UNESCO world heritage site was banned—here’s why, and what to do instead!
R-E-S-P-E-C-T
Uluru, which is also known as Ayers Rock, is sacred Aboriginal ground. You probably wouldn’t sing at the top your lungs in Notre Dame Cathedral—this is pretty much that with more selfies. The local Anangu people believe that Uluru was left behind by the ancestral beings who created the land itself. They believe that the spirits of these beings still live there, and it’s the Anangu’s sacred duty to look after the site.
Imagine trying to do your job with a bunch of backpackers walking all over your metaphorical desk. Now, imagine that desk is a church, mosque, or temple. (Or 10,000 signed Beyonce posters—whatever metaphor drives it home.) Part of the privilege of travel is to witness new cultures in their pure form, and climbing Ayers Rock is literally stomping all over Aboriginal spirituality. Boo, no. Ban: 1, Climb: 0.
It’s Freakin’ Dangerous
As if respecting the locals isn’t enough motivation, climbing Uluru is also dangerous. There are warnings everywhere around the site, declaring that the ascent is perilous. Ayers Rock is 340 metres high. If you factor in Australia’s blistering heat or high winds, you’re looking at a possibly deadly climb.
Just back in 2010, a 54-year-old man died, collapsing near the base of the rock. Beyond that, 35 other people have perished in the attempt since 1958. There are very literally other hills to climb—it’s about time people forcibly sat this one out.
According to locals, disturbing the site is also bad for your karma. Tourists who have taken rocks from the site are said to be cursed with misfortune. Park rangers get packages sending back stolen “sorry rocks” or twigs nearly every day. So, do you feel lucky?
No Climbing, No Problem
Some think the ban will affect tourism, BUT there’s still plenty of things to see and do in the area that make for an amazing visit!
You can hike all the way around it, taking in the magnificence of the landscape from the safety of the ground. There’s also an on-site museum, which shares the legends and the history of this natural wonder. (Keep an eye out for beautiful Aboriginal art in the gift shop!) Another great hike is the nearby Valley of the Winds—something we already wrote about in our Australian travel guide. It’s about TIME the Olgas got their time to shine!
Shutting down the climbing of Uluru is a local victory and a sign of more understanding times. It ensures that the integrity of this sacred site will be preserved for the Aboriginal locals and future visitors alike.
The best view isn’t from the top of anyway—it’s the breathtaking sight of the sun rising or setting over this ethereal, natural wonder.
Welcome to part two of our blog series, “23 Amazing Places to Visit in Australia”!
We’re giving you the insider track on vacation destinations and little-known locales in Oz—all based on our personal experiences and those of our friends across the country! Forget the Sydney Opera House or Great Barrier Reef (both amazing, of course), and get up close and personal with the REAL unseen beauty of Australia. Travel guides can only dream of this kind of insider info! In part one we snorkelled with whale sharks, tanned beachside with some kangaroos, and took a sunrise hike through the Olgas. This week, we’re dropping even MORE knowledge, so make yourself a flat white, sit back, and read on to discover your future favourite travel destination and/or totally life-changing experience. You won’t regret it!
7. Witness Alternative Culture in Nimbin
Sometimes it’s better to just sit back and take it all in, rather than rush from place to place. This laid back philosophy will probably be the feeling you get from the villages of Nimbin, just 70km west of Byron Bay. While the counterculture of these hippie towns is illegal, they thrive and remain undisturbed by the outside world. Nimbin is widely-known as Australia’s “alternative lifestyle capital.”
Although it might seem more like a social experiment, it’s worth a day’s visit! We recommend camping at Granny’s Farm and taking a tour through the local-made museum. There are also a few beautiful hikes in the area, if that tickles your fancy. Whether you want to BE a hippie for the day or just stare at them, Nimbin is a stop you can’t miss.
When To Go
Anytime
Location
Nimbin, Northern Rivers, New South Wales
8. Wet Your Whistle at an Authentic Historic Outback Pub
The desert is dry—why suffer when there are local watering holes just off the main highway? The Larrimah and Daly Waters are two must-stop pubs in the Northern Territory! Larrimah Pub not only cracks a VB or XXXX Gold for you, they also have an array of local wildlife wandering around the property. Hand-feed kangaroos or check out venomous snakes (in tanks) while sipping your favourite brew.
On the other hand, Daly Waters Pub—established in 1930—provides amazing service, excellent food, and really funky décor (we found Canadian Tire money decorating the walls). Despite that small piece of Canada, we guarantee you’ll feel out of place in the best way possible!
When To Go
Anytime
Location
Stuart Highway, Larrimah, Northern Territory
Stuart Highway, Daly Waters, Northern Territory
9. Catch Crabs—for Lunch—at Port Parham
If you’re looking for a quick bite, this is the place to do it—just make sure your lunch doesn’t bite you first! Wade out here at low tide, and wear your shoes or rubber boots, as the Blue Swimmer crabs love nibbling at your toes. Walk out about 200 meters with a rake to search for these tricky little guys. With a little bit of patience, and some friendly local advice, you’ll be able to feed everyone in your entourage in no time!
P.S. Camp for free here!
When To Go Anytime; go at low tide and check for size and limit regulations
Location
Port Parham, South Australia
10. Take a Ride on Australia’s Biggest Pest in Broome
Take in one of the country’s best sunsets while riding high on Australia’s biggest pest: a camel! Surprised? In the early 1800s camels were imported from India, Afghanistan, and Arabia as a means of cheap and hardy transport—aptly nicknamed “ships of the desert.” Now, Australia has the largest population of wild camels on the planet!
With a small amount of predators on the continent, camel populations have continued to explode. One of their friendly uses is to take you along the stunning Cable Beach as you watch the sunset over the Indian Ocean. Romance! Adventure! Humps for DAYS! Can you ask for more than that?
When To Go
April – June
September – November; avoid the wet season and cooler winter temperatures
Location
Broome, Kimberly Region, Western Australia
11. Witness the Most Spectacular National Park in Oz
Just north of the Tropic of Capricorn is Australia’s best-kept secret—Karijini National Park. About 1,055 kilometres from Perth, Karijini is often overlooked.
Its rugged and spectacular scenery offers a variety of recreational experiences, including hiking endless gorges, cooling off in pristine waterholes with cascading waterfalls, exploring 10-foot termite mounds, colourful cliffs, and chasms, and meeting wild horses (aka brumbies). While it’s hard to narrow down, our top spots in Karijini are: Hancock Gorge, Fortescue Falls, Weano Gorge, Hamersley Gorge, Circular Pool, and Fern Pool. It’s one best-kept secret you won’t want to keep to yourself!
When To Go
April – November; avoid the summer heat and cyclone season
Location
Karijini National Park, Pilbara Region, north Western Australia
With that, we’ve reached the end of this week’s instalment. We hope you’ve got some new adventure fuel in the tank, and tons of fresh ideas for your next vacation. Click back here next week for part three in the series, and more great things to do and see down under!
