On Friday we were up bright and early (5am!) ready to be collected for our 3 day camping trip to Uluru (Ayers Rock), Kata Tjuta (the Olgas) and Kings Canyon - a joint birthday/Christmas present from Mum and Dad (thank you!). Our guide collected us from the hostel and we set off for the 5 hour drive to Uluru. On the way we stopped off to look at Mount Connor, an Ayers Rock lookalike, and Lake Amadeus, a huge salt lake in the heart of the Australian Outback, before heading on to our campsite at Yulara, the township that services the Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park. Once we got there we had a look around the 'town' (just a couple of souvenir shops and a cafe), before heading to the Cultural Centre to learn about the significance of the area to the local Aboriginals. We then finally headed to the rock, and it was even more amazing than it looks in pictures! The surface is really rough, and there are loads of caves and craters and waterholes (not that there is much water in them). Some of our group climbed to the top of the rock, but we were content to just look at it from the ground. We had a guided walk around the Mala walk trail, with our guide giving us loads of info on the geology/history of the rock, and we then walked around the base to the Mutijulu Waterhole, which actually had water in it! We also saw lots of rock art which was really cool. It was then finally time to head to the dunes viewing area to watch the sunset over Uluru, with a glass or 2 of champagne to accompany it - the rock turned a beautiful red colour as the sun was setting! Back at the camp we made tea before going to sleep under the stars in swags, although we didn't see many stars as it was pretty cloudy. The next day we had another early start so that we could get to the viewing area in time to watch sunrise over Uluru - absolutely amazing! We then went to explore Kata Tjuta, and had a guided tour of part of the Valley of the Winds walk, up to the Karingara lookout. It was another really interesting walk, with great views along the way - we even saw a Euro (small kangaroo). Back at the campsite we had lunch, and then went for a camel ride! It was really wobbly, but loads of fun, we were on a really strong minded camel called Bonnie. We also had photographs with a camel called Ned Kelly, who was apparently in the film Australia with Nicole Kidman and Hugh Jackman! We then went to cool off in the resort pool, before driving to our next campsite at Kings Creek Station where we had an outback BBQ complete with Kangaroo steaks and a campfire. Our last day of the tour had an even early start (4.15!), but it was well worth it so that we could get to the first lookout at Kings Canyon in time to watch the sunrise - such beautiful colours and amazing scenery! The darkness also hid the steepest part of the walk, so we couldn't get too worried about it! After sunrise we did the walk around the rim of the canyon, a 4 hour walk with a detour down to a waterhole called the Garden of Eden where we had apples for snacks, and even saw a snake! How apt. There were also lizards and loads of tiny frogs, and the scenery was stunning once again. After we'd finished the walk (which I was very proud of myself for doing!) we headed back to the campsite for the final meal of the tour - camel burgers! They actually tasted pretty much like beef, but it was good to try. After lunch it was time for the long drive back to Alice Springs, which was broken up with a stop at Erldunda, the lambert centre of Australia and also home to an emu farm which we had a look at. In the evening back in Alice Springs everyone on the tour who was staying in town went out for a meal, which was a really nice way to end an amazing few days exploring the Outback! We would definitely recommend Emu Run Tours for anyone who wants to visit Uluru!