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Tasmanian Walking Company to operate five-day guided tour through Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park

It is rare for a company to achieve a world-first, but that is precisely what a Tasmanian business will be doing with its new venture.

Walkers stargazing at the Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park. Picture: Helen Orr.
Walkers stargazing at the Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park. Picture: Helen Orr.

It has never been done before, and a Tasmanian company will be the first to do it.

The Tasmanian Walking Company (TWC) will operate a five-day guided tour through the World-Heritage-listed Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park in the Northern Territory.

Developed in consultation with Anangu traditional owners, the Uluru-Kata Tjuta Board of Management, and Parks Australia, the walk will allow groups of up to 14 people to explore the national park.

Walkers at the base of Uluru. Picture: Helen Orr.
Walkers at the base of Uluru. Picture: Helen Orr.

TWC co-owner Brett Godfrey said the 54 km walk had been a nine-year journey to become a reality.

“This journey started in 2015 when I walked with traditional owners for 150 kilometres from the South Australian border to touch Uluru seven days later,” Mr Godfrey said.

“It was one of my life’s great experiences, and it made me want to share this cultural phenomenon sensitively with anyone prepared to tackle the desert and immerse themselves in Anangu history.

“In my view, it will attract an international market and become one of the great walks of the world.”

Mr Godfrey said the five-day walk would include art workshops, lessons in land management practices, and dining experiences under the Milky Way.

“For most of the journey, visitors will trek in full view of the two rock formations, both remnants of millions of years of Earth’s history.

“Carrying only a day pack, they will stay in spectacular eco-sensitive retreats and be guided by the knowledge of those who have walked the land for tens of thousands of years before them.

“The ultimate destination is Uluru, a geological wonder deeply associated with Aboriginal culture and intrinsically etched into the Australian identity.

“This walk has been a decade in development but 500 million years in the making.”

Heath Garratt of the Tasmanian Walking Company walking around Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park. Picture: Helen Orr
Heath Garratt of the Tasmanian Walking Company walking around Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park. Picture: Helen Orr

Anangu Steering Committee Tapaya Edwards said his ancestors had lived on the land for more than 30,000 years and that his people welcomed visitors.

“This walk invites them to slow down, to look beyond the physical beauty of our home and to take time to learn about the customs that are so important to us.

“We hope that over five days, they will better understand our stories and our art, respect our traditions and land management practices and help us protect the environment.

“By walking in our footsteps and on our trails, they will also come to see that our ancient culture is still very much alive today.”

The walk will be launching in 2026.

simon.mcguire@news.com.au

Originally published as Tasmanian Walking Company to operate five-day guided tour through Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park

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Original URL: https://www.ntnews.com.au/news/tasmania/tasmanian-walking-company-to-operate-fiveday-guided-tour-through-ulurukata-tjuta-national-park/news-story/f397e6e790aa65a29d03d3894df08ca2