Emily Jade

The Uluṟu-Kata Tjuṯa Signature Walk with Tasmanian Walking Company is genuinely one of the best things I’ve ever done in Australia.

Walking through the Red Centre gives you an appreciation for this country that you simply don’t get from flying in, taking a photo of Uluṟu and flying home again. Over five days, we walked from Kata Tjuṯa towards Uluṟu, watching it slowly get closer each day. There were early starts, incredible sunrises, long days on our feet, plenty of laughs and, unexpectedly for me, quite a few tears.

What made it so special was the combination of the landscape, the cultural experience and the people. Learning about the land and its significance to the Aṉangu people gave the entire walk a much deeper meaning.

And while it is definitely an adventure, Tasmanian Walking Company does it beautifully. Your main luggage is transported for you, the food is fantastic, the guides are brilliant and the accommodation gets better as you go. Finishing a big day of walking knowing there was a beautiful lodge, a chef-cooked meal, a plunge pool and a spa waiting for us was my kind of hiking!

The final day was a huge 22km around Uluṟu and the moment I finally got to walk beside it and touch it was something I’ll never forget.

Yes, your legs will know you’ve done it. Yes, there are some very early mornings. But you’ll also see the Australian outback in a way very few people ever do, make wonderful friends and learn so much about this extraordinary part of our country.

I came home incredibly grateful that places and experiences like this exist in Australia.

Every Aussie should do this walk at least once.

I’m already planning to give it to my daughter for her 21st birthday. Luckily, that gives me about six years to recover before I have to do it again.