We had a wonderful final day in the Outback, visiting Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park. Kata Tjuta are the sacred mountains of the Pitjantjatjara aborigines who reclaimed the rights of their land from the Australian government. They now lease this land to the Australian government as a national park. Our initial hike through Kata Tjuta offered amazing views and tales of the native men who roamed this area to hunt kangaroos and emus that came seeking water. They had an elaborate manner in which they stalked animals, waiting until they fed so they were full-bellied and slower prey to catch. As they attacked, they would cut off the animals’ exits as they fled the area which was the main water source. This allowed close enough contact to then spear the fleeing animals.
Upon leaving Kata Tjuta, we drove the Uluru (also known as Ayers Rock), which is one of the seven natural wonders of the world. We hiked part of the circumference of the massive rock monolith, and learned of sacred locations and caves where the Pitjantjatjara cooked food, held ceremonies, birthed and nursed their young, and more. It was fascinating to be in a place where only 50 years ago many of these customs still took place. The Pitjantjatjara has asked the Australian government to not allow anyone to climb the Rock and ban photography of certain sections that are considered highly sacred out of respect to their culture.
As we finished our hike around Uluru, a heavy rainstorm moved in. Despite getting soaked by the torrential downpour, we were extremely fortunate to witness a plethora of waterfalls quickly form on the Rock. We were told by our guide, Duffman, that we were quite lucky to see this natural phenomenon. It rarely rains heavily in the Outback and to see such waterfalls was an amazing sight, offering a new perspective of the Rock. Apparently, some guides who have been coming to the Rock for 10+ years have never witnessed waterfalls rush off the mega walls of this natural monolith. It was truly a feat of nature and an amazing way to top of our day in such a special place.
– Jaimie & Topher
