Uluru is one of the iconic symbols of Australia, and for good reason. This desert monolith in the center of the continent is as awe-inspiring as pictures suggest, and I highly enjoyed the time I spent at Uluru and the neighboring rock domes of Kata Tjuta in June 2012. Uluru and Kata Tjuta were not just inscribed as a World Heritage Site for their natural component, but also for their cultural component. To that end I very much enjoyed learning about the Anangu culture through visiting the Uluru cultural center and by taking the Kuniya walk to the Mutitjulu Waterhole at the base of the monolith, a hike that includes views of rock art and displays about desert living. Kata Tjuta also had memorable hiking opportunities, including a trail through a gorge and an amazing walk through the Valley of the Winds. The unforgettable highlight of any trip to Uluru and Kata Tjuta is watching the fascinating range of color shifting on the rocks at sunrise and sunset, and I was not disappointed. Just as spectacular for me was the opportunity to view the vast southern sky at night, unpolluted by nearby civilization and replete with constellations I rarely see.

Logistics: Uluru/Ayers Rock is fastest to reach by air, although it is also accessible by road. I recommend renting a car locally to access the various trailheads and viewpoints at Uluru and Kata Tjuta.