Uluru-Kata Tjuta Signature Walk: "A desert journey into the heart of Australia and a trail that unites two geological icons, Kata Tjuta with Uluru ... it will become one of the great walks of the world."
Brett Godfrey, Tasmanian Walking Company co-owner and respected tourism leader.
 |
| Artist impression, Tasmanian Walking Company © |
In the beating central heart of Australia, the amazing, atmospheric Uluru and Kata Tjuta are icons known the world over – and the breaking news of this particular desert journey certainly made my heart skip more than a beat!
I've visited both places in the past as a travel writer, staying in all kinds of accommodation including basic camping, great resorts and the luxurious Longitude 131˙, close to Uluru but still all outside the Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park itself.
The camping was a visit on an incredible road trip, en route to the Tanami Track, Broome, the Bungle Bungles, Gibb River Road and beyond, in the days when climbing Uluru, while not encouraged, was still permitted. The morning of the climb I had no doubts about my ability to scale the rock – I was young-ish, fit-ish and loved walking. Yet as I began to climb I had an overwhelming sensation of a force or energy holding me back. I simply could not proceed.
Feeling rather puzzled (there were female tourists returning from the ascent in white stilettoes for heaven's sake), I left my fellow climbers and started to walk around the base of Uluru on my own. How magical was that? I was aware of Uluru's extraordinary energy but able to experience the perimeter's more gentle vibes – and I had no wish at all to stand on top.
We continued to Kata Tjuta and the energy for me there was incredibly powerful, yet softer and more mystical. The formations are stunning and different parts are highlighted as the light changes from dawn through sunrise to sunset.
 |
| Katja Tjuta. Photo by Tourism NT © |
Since then I have visited on several assignments, one to mark the opening of the first luxurious Longitude 131˙, with its ground-breaking, safari-style desert accommodation with views of Uluru. I was the lucky one who got to see the sunrise on Uluru from bed while my photographer husband was camped out on a sand dune pre-dawn in temperatures of -4˙, to capture the resort at sunrise. (Happily, the uber-luxurious nature of the property was such that a member of staff appeared at his side with his favourite coffee!)
So now, reflecting on past visits, I 'get' the importance of this new announcement, a walk connecting Uluru and Kata Tjuta and with the opportunity to stay within a World-Heritage listed national park.
 |
| Walking at sunrise with Kata Tjuta. Photo by Tourism NT © |
About the Uluru-Kata Tjuta Signature Walk
Tasmanian Walking Company is proud to announce a world first; from 2026, it's a five-day fully guided walk inside the grounds of the World-Heritage listed Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park.
Developed in consultation with Anangu Traditional Owners, the Uluru-Kata Tjuta Board of Management and Parks Australia, the all-inclusive experience will unite two of the world’s greatest natural wonders, Uluru and Kata Tjuta.
Small groups of up to 14 will spend five days and four nights inside Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park learning about ancient Anangu culture and history, connecting with nature, and staying exclusively in environmentally sustainable accommodation.
Tasmanian Walking Company co-owner and respected tourism leader Brett Godfrey, whose nine-year journey to bring the 54km walk to market, describes the experience as "a desert journey into the heart of Australia and a trail that unites two geological icons, Kata Tjuta with Uluru.” “This journey started in 2015 when I walked with Traditional Owners for 150 kilometres from the South Australian border to touch Uluru seven days later. It was one of my life's great experiences, and it made me want to share this cultural phenomenon sensitively with anyone prepared to tackle the desert and immerse themselves in Anangu history.
 |
| Heath Garratt/Tasmanian Walking Company © |
“In my view, it will attract an international market and become one of the great walks of the world,” Mr Godfrey said. The multi-day Uluru-Kata Tjuta Signature Walk starts in the shadows of Kata Tjuta’s giant dome formations and arcs east, traversing an extraordinary landscape along remote desert trails, cresting red dunes, and through mulga woodlands. Over five days, there are art workshops, lessons in land management practices, and daily three-course meals, many under night skies lit up by stars from the Milky Way.
"For most of the journey, visitors will trek in full view of the two rock formations, both remnants of millions of years of Earth’s history. Carrying only a day pack, they will stay in spectacular eco-sensitive retreats and be guided by the knowledge of those who have walked the land for tens of thousands of years before them,” Mr Godfrey explained.
“The ultimate destination is Uluru, a geological wonder deeply associated with Aboriginal culture and intrinsically etched into the Australian identity. “This walk has been a decade in development, but 500 million years in the making.”
 |
| Uluru. Photo by Tourism NT © |
Chair of the Anangu Steering Committee – Tapaya Edwards says:
“My people have lived on this land for more than 30,000 years and we welcome visitors from all over the world. This walk invites them to slow down, to look beyond the physical beauty of our home and to take time to learn about the customs that are so important to us.
“We hope that over five days, they will better understand our stories and our art, respect our traditions and land management practices and help us protect the environment. By walking in our footsteps and on our trails, they will also come to see that our ancient culture is still very much alive today.”
Managing Director of Tourism Australia, Phillipa Harrison says:
“International travellers are increasingly on the lookout for tourism offerings with a focus on wellness, adventure and cultural experiences so the opportunity for a multi-day walk through the heart of Australia will no doubt be highly sought after.
“When the Uluru-Kata Tjuta Signature Walk launches in 2026 it will provide a unique five-day experience that combines learning about the world’s oldest living culture with the experience of one Australia’s most recognisable natural wonders.
“Uluru and Kata Tjuta are bucket list experiences for so many international travellers and there is no doubt many will be keen to see these iconic sites as part of the new walk through the World-Heritage listed Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park.”
 |
| Heath Garratt and Vincent Nipper Anangu Senior. Photo by Tasmanian Walking Company © |
Northern Territory Minister for Tourism and Hospitality, Hon. Marie-Clare Boothby says:
“Congratulations to the Tasmanian Walking Company on launching the Uluru-Kata Tjuta Signature Walk, it will be sure to be a popular hiking trail for adventure visitors to the Territory and marks the second offering in the NT joining the Larapinta Signature Walk that opened in 2022.
“Some 1.6 million people travelled to the Northern Territory last year including almost 191,000 international visitors, with more than half visiting Uluru-Kata Tjuta to experience its natural beauty and connect with Aboriginal culture. The Territory Government through Tourism NT is delighted to be able to work alongside Anangu and Tasmanian Walking Company to market this exciting new world-class, nature-based experience.
“The five-day walk will create a platform to promote the Northern Territory’s ancient culture in Central Australia and drive direct and indirect employment opportunities for the local Anangu community.”
More Information
The Uluru-Kata Tjuta Signature Walk commences in April 2026 and marks the second offering in the Northern Territory for the Australian Walking Company, after the company launched the Larapinta Signature Walk in 2022.
For more information about the Uluru-Kata Tjuta Signature Walk and to register early interest, visit Tasmanian Walking Company
Click HERE to read the full itinerary for the new Uluru-Kata Tjuta Signature Walk.
Source: Press Release.
 |
| Night Sky over Kata Tjuta. Photo by Tourism NT © |
No comments:
Post a Comment