I don't know about you but, for me, Uluru (or Ayers Rock, depending on what generation you belong to) is one of those things you can't grow up in Australia and not think to yourself, 'one day.' It never occured to me that I wouldn't go. Even if it took 29 years. So off we went earlier this year, even if it was 'just' for a long weekend.

And in true tourist style, what'd we do? Nope--not climb the rock (you can, but you're very kindly asked not to, and the walk around the base is even better)--we booked a camel tour.

That's right. A tour. On a CAMEL.
Was it kitsch? You betcha. Was it worth it? YES.

We were picked up from the resort around 1:30-2 for the 2pm 'Camel Express' tour. The driver of the bus was, at it turns out, the owner, and he was fun, chatty and jovial. The farm itself is... a lot like the rest of Yulara and the Uluru Kata-Tjuta National Park. Red, dusty and picturesque. We were taken inside, greeted, and, as we were there in what's considered 'off season' (late May--the peak tourist season for Uluru is considered Winter, and it's not hard to see why given it's the middle of the DESERT), and the only people on the tour were our little group of 3, and a very sweet international couple.

We were shown out back to meet one of the farm's newest residents--a baby camel called Scruffy. You can tell me it's a bad idea, but you won't convince me: I want a baby camel. She was a sweetheart--cuddly and friendly and a total charmer.

And then the 'tour' started. We were introduced to our trusty steeds, and listened to them grunt and moan while we mounted (interesting fact: the voice of Chewbacca in a Star Wars? A camel. Seriously. I laughed it off when were told, but once you hear a camel 'talking' it's a certain undeniable truth. And hilarious). The camels are tied up in a 'train', led by a guide who took us through the desert, introducing us to a few sites, sounds, and explaining some of the local flora. We had our obligatory photo op, and the guide was lovely. We were also told some of the history of camels in the Outback, and the importance of population management, given the devastating impact they can have on the local ecosystem.

In truth, the 'Camel Express' tour is really just a 45 minute camel ride. You could do one here, do one elsewhere, do one in Egypt. But it's a 45 minute ride on a freaking CAMEL through some of the most picturesque scenery you can possibly imagine. The photos you've seen of the Outback--even the most beautiful ones--really don't do justice to something that has to be seen to be truly understood and appreciated. And at $75, it's also one of the cheapest, and funnest, tours you can do while staying at Ayers Rock Resort, where almost all the other tours are run under a monopoly (but one which at least works with the local community, which is lovely).

Well worth the cash, and well, WELL worth the trip to the stunning Australian Outback.

Approximate cost: $75-$119