TOURS
Visitors can participate in a number of tours and activities. Guests staying at Voyages Longitude 131 don't have to worry about pre-booking or coordinating anything; it's all been arranged, and included in the rate. Everyone is free to participate in all or none of the tours. There are usually two tours a day (morning and afternoon). You don't want to miss them. They are either to Uluru or Kata Tjuta, the two places you came to explore. The guides provide cold water and fly nets (which can also be purchased in town); they also bring snacks and/or serve Champagne). A very cool Aussie couple from Melbourne laughed when I put my fly net over my head. They said they'd never wear one of those silly-looking things. About two seconds after they stepped out of the van, they went straight to the guide and asked if they could have theirs back. That's how bad the flies are. They go straight for the moisture of your mouth and eyes. Your only defense is the Australian Salute (you wave your hand frantically in front of your face), or the fly nets. Fortunately, when the sun goes down it's like someone flipped a switch. The flies disappear.

KATA TJUTU (THE OLGAS)
The first tour I took was an easy walk through Walpa Gorge at Kata Tjuta. Kata Tjuta is an Aboriginal word meaning "many heads." More than 30 rounded red domes rise from the desert floor. The tallest is 1,800 feet high. The English names for Kata Tjuta are Mount Olga and The Olgas. My boy Ernest Giles named it after reigning Queen Olga of Wurttemburg. Kata Tjuta is a 40-minute drive from Longitude 131. The rocks are amazing to see. The Anangu people and geologists have differing views on how the rocks were formed. I won't get into them here - it would take way to long -- but here's a link that will help.

ULURU - KATA TJUTA CULTURAL CENTER
The Uluru - Kata Tjuta Cultural Centre is a good first stop for visitors. Thirty minutes is enough time to learn about the rock and see some videos (no pictures are allowed). You can read some of the Uluru creation stories. Known as Tjukurpa, they describe the travels and actions of Kuniya (Woma python), Liru (poisonous snake), Mala (rufous hare-wallaby) and Lungkata (Centralian blue-tongue lizard). The Uluru - Kata Tjuta Cultural Centre: tel.: 61-8-8956-1128; fax: 61-8-8956-2360.

ULURU (AYERS ROCK)
Uluru is Australia's most famous icon. From a distance it looks really smooth, but up close there are all kinds of holes, caves, tunnels, natural sculptures, and even paintings. There are even gray streaks running down the side. They are caused by waterfalls, which form when it rains (a rare occurrence). At 986 feet high and 5 miles around, Uluru is one of the largest monoliths in the world. It's made of arkosic sandstone, infused with minerals like feldspar. The rust color comes from oxidation. It's amazing to see Uluru and Kata Tjuta change colors (from the reflection of the sun) -- particulary at sunrise and sunset, when it appears to glow. It changes so many colors, it's mind boggling. For more click HERE.