Three things to know about visiting Uluru - from an Aussie couple that have been seven times
Brian and Lynda Ralph first travelled to Uluru back in 1974 as an adventurous young couple.
Fast forward 50 years and the Aussie pair have been back six times, enjoying everything from a super-budget camping "safari" where they had to bring their own tent, to working as tour cooks, to multi-generational family holidays, and luxury escapes.
"I think what happens every time is that if we're ever going anywhere in Australia, immediately we think 'well do we go via Uluru'," Brian tells 9Travel.
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Brian and Lynda Ralph have been to Uluru seven times. Supplied
"For example in 2004 we booked a 4WD tour on the Gibb River Road, and just accidentally had to go through Uluru for a week before we got there."
It's been a big year for the region, marking the fifth anniversary of the closure of the climb and the 39th anniversary of the handing back of the lands to Traditional Owners in October.
"There is something very special about Uluru and Kata Tjuta. The more we go the more we learn," Brian, 75, says.
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Their most recent trip was in 2022 where they visited with their children and grandchildren.
"For Lynda's 70 birthday, we said we'd love to take the kids back and take our grandkids for them to actually get a sense of how special and spiritual Uluru is," Brian tells us.
But while that holiday was extra special Brain laughs when he recalls how even on that trip, he and Lynda did it on the way to a Kimberley cruise they had actually booked for a holiday.
"It's always been 'okay, is there any excuse we can we can go do to get to Uluru on the way somewhere?'"
A camping safari was how Brian and Lnda visited Uluru in their younger days. Supplied
Lynda says she is often guilty of suggesting they return the most, sharing that she feels a "deep connection" with the site.
"There's a special emotion that I felt all along for the place, and then to get to really see how they respect it and honour it," Lynda, 72, tells 9Travel.
"Of course a lot has changed over the years. We saw when people weren't doing that, we were having campfires and, you know, skidding around and climbing the rock, we were guilty of that too.
"I think it's special they've found their recognition. And we can all respect it and protect the area that they love."
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Three things to know when visiting Uluru
If you're visiting for the first time - they both agree it is a must to organise an Indigenous tour guide.
"We've always made every possible attempt we could to get on every Ranger guided tour, because that's where you get the really special insights about about the Indigenous people and the focus of the place," Brian says.
"To hear local people talking about the way in which they view the rock and they respect it."
The Mala Walk is one of the couple's favourite spots. Supplied
He also suggests hiring a car is the best way to get around.
"No question. You hire a car. It means you can be out at the sunrise when you want. You can be out at the sunset when you want. You can go to Walpa Gorge at the right time you want, and so on. It just gives so much more flexibility."
Finally, remember there is more to see than Uluru itself. For Brian and Lynda, the Mala walk to Kaṉtju Gorge is a favourite.
"They do all the ranger walks there and it's just a sort of serene place to go and reflect and hear the stories," Brian says.
"We've done the base walk about three times. And every time we go, we walk up Walpa Gorge Walk and Valley of the Winds Hike, at least in our early years."
