Taking a wild ride around Uluru

As our 25th Wedding Anniversary approached this year, we pondered the many ways we could mark such a special occasion…

At the top of my bucket list was a trip to Australia’s heart, Uluru. A ride on a Harley Davidson was a close second.

So in our five-day break I fell in love… not with my groom of 25 years (although he’s not a bad bloke!) but with the clear blue skies, rich red earth and green scrub of Australian’s Desert Country.

What was the highlight of this trip for me? Easy! A very early morning ride on the back of a Heritage Soft Tailed Harley Davidson to see the sunrise at Uluru!

It was still dark when we were picked up by two very respectable looking bikers (smelling of the most wonderful men’s cologne) these were not the rough and ready boys I was expecting!

We donned our leather jackets and helmets, swung our legs over those beautiful bikes and we were away! Above, the Milky Way was jumping out of the night sky at us, surrounded by billions of bright stars!

As we headed off into the darkness, shooting stars fell from the sky, and I found myself under the spell of the Centre. As we rode towards the sunrise, the sky lightened and the horizon came alive with a band of hot pink that had to be seen to be believed.

The night air lost its crisp edge, the air rushed into my face and the honey-like smell of the native bushes wafted up to meet us.

At our viewing spot we waited patiently and as the morning sunlight caught the edges of “The Rock”, it seemed that the sleeping giant was awakening.

A cup of coffee, a muffin, and many photos later, we were back on the bikes and making our way back home. By now I had the hang of leaning into corners and felt completely relaxed on the back of the bike.

I’m sure my rider was grateful not to have my fingernails digging into his shoulders on the return journey!

Whilst this ride was, without any doubt, the highlight of our trip to Uluru, here are some other wonderful things to see and do at the Red Centre:

1. Visit the camel farm and perhaps take a camel ride at sunset.

2. Call into the Cultural Centre and be amazed by the history on display. (This is included on some trips or it is possible to get there via a small bus but you do need to book this in advance).

3. Book a helicopter flight at sunset and see both Uluru and Kata Tjuta (previously known as The Olgas) from above.

4. Join a bus tour for the Sounds of Silence dinner – a fabulous experience, not to be missed!

5. Hop on a bus tour and visit Kata Tjuta, do the Walpa Gorge walk and then arrive at Uluru in time for drinks and nibbles before seeing the unbelievable transformation of The Rock at sunset – truly stunning! You’ll also have the opportunity to buy art and crafts from indigenous artists when you do one of these tours.

6. Listen to bush yarns, learn how to throw a boomerang and spear and for the men, learn how to play the didgeridoo (not an activity that woman are permitted to participate in).

7. Attend a dot art workshop and meet an indigenous artist.

8. Browse in the indigenous art galleries and maybe splurge on a painting.

So, why not start planning this trip and have a wonderful time. Oh, and give my regards to the Harley boys!