Ayers Rock, Australia

Setting new heights for Ayers Rock

Tourists will soon be able to get a bird’s eye view of Ayers Rock, as one of Australia’s largest hot air ballooning companies launches flights over the iconic site.

Outback Ballooning will operate daily flights over the sacred rock, departing at dawn to allow passengers to witness the magnificent sunrise. The route will pass over the Patji region and offer never-seen-before views of the rock from the south.

Traditionally, tourists have only been able to visit Ayers Rock from the carefully regulated Uluru Kata National Park, but the new flights will start and end at points outside of the park.

Ayers Rock (Uluru as its known by locals) has been a tourist trap for many years, but treks to the top have been strongly discouraged in recent years due to cultural sensitivities. The hiking trail has often been closed too due to weather and cultural or safety reasons.

The balloon tours are set to start in March 2012.