SACRED Journeys, IN STYLE
Northern Australia records some of its most spellbinding stories on rock, transforming travels and turning wild places into sacred ground. If you’re keen to connect with a slice of Indigenous Australia in indulgent, spoil-yourself ways, these destinations with guided walks, talks, bush tucker feasts and heli-adventures are guaranteed to woo you in every way.
ULURU-KATA TJUTA NATIONAL PARK, RED CENTRE NT
2020 is the year to see Uluru in a completely different light, without the usual tourist ant-trail which ended with the rock’s closure to climbers last October. Australia’s most distinctive World Heritage Area is also fee-free until 31 December, and socially distanced campsites at Ayers Rock Resort guarantee you a rare taste of serenity.
Located on the homelands of the Anangu (pronounced arn-ung-oo) people, Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park offers plenty of cultural learning opportunities through dot painting workshops ($72/adult, half-price for kids) and Indigenous-led sunrise and sunset walking tours (from $132/adult, $105/child).
If you book ahead, Maruku Arts will organise 1–2 hour-long workshops in traditional dance, bush medicine or wood carving for your group or family (maruku.com.au), and there are plenty of free activities for all at Ayers Rock Resort, including campers. The resort’s workshops change regularly but usually include guided bush food garden walks, Indigenous storytelling and didgeridoo lessons.
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