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Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park - Cities, Towns and Localities |
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Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park offers a number of attractions
and activities for the visitor, from the sunrise and sunset viewing platforms of
Uluru, Kata Tjuta viewing points and a number of self-guided walks.
To enhance your enjoyment, there are a number of tour operators offering a
variety of tour options, including 4 wheel drive tours, coach tours, camel
tours, and local guided tours.
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Uluru Attractions Online |
Uluru
There are a number of ways to experience Uluru:
- Sunrise Viewing
The sunrise viewing area offers a cultural sensitive view of Uluru and
provides a great way to start your day.
- Sunset Viewing
After a wonderful day soaking up the cultural landscape, reflect on the
Aboriginal cuture as you watch the sun cast its final light over Uluru.
For those viewing Uluru at sunset, a handy tip by some of the tour operators
is not to stare solidly at Uluru. As the sun sets, your eyes become
accustomed to the light, so often the colour changes, although subtle are
not very obvious. Instead, look at Uluru, take a couple of photos, then look
away. Cchat to your family and friends. At intervals of 4 minutes, look at
Uluru and take another couple of photos. When you get home to view your
photos, the changes become more obvious.
For those lucky to have visited Uluru several times throughout the year, we
hope you get to experience the many colours and seasons that Uluru can
provide. From the iconic brilliant orche, through to silver, purple, and
black.
- Dune Walk
500 metres return allow 30 minutes
Starts at the Sunset Viewing
lookout. See the unique dune habitats, flora and fauna. Watch for evidence
of nocturnal activities of the local mammals and lizards. Enjoy view so of
Uluru and Kata Tjuta.
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Uluru Walks
There are a number of walks that can be enjoyed, either as self-guided, free
ranger-guided walks (held at certain times of the year only), or the ever
popular, award winning Anangu Tours.
- Uluru Base Walk
9.4 km self-guided allow 3-4 hours
By choosing to walk around Uluru
instead of climbing it, you will be respecting Tjukurpa and Anangu wishes.
Start at the Cultural Centre, proceed down the Liru Track. Continue
clockwise around the base of Uluru, returning to the Cultural Centre via the
Liru Track. If you choose to start the base walk at either the Mala or
Kuniya carparks, make sure you visit the Cultural Centre for important
safety advise, cultural knowledge and general information.
The Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park Visitor guide and maps contains much of
the information you will need to start you out with understanding and
enjoying the park.
- Liru Walk
4 km return self-guided allow 1.5 hours dry-weather wheelchair access
This walk will take you between
the Cultural Centre and the base of Uluru. The track winds through
stands of wanari (mulga) and after rain, often displays colourful flowers.
- Mala Walk
2 km return self-guided allow 1.5 hours wheelchair
access
You can purchase An Insight into
Uluru booklet or follow the signs to learn about Anangu
perceptions of Uluru.
Hear the story of the The Mala (rufous hare wallaby) Tjukurpa, on one of the
free ranger-guided walks, held during the cooler months of the year. Contact
the Cultural Centre for more information.
- Kuniya Walk
1 km return self-guided allow 45 minutes wheelchair
access
YFrom the Kuniya carpark, there
is a short track to the special waterhole, home of Wanampi, an
ancestral watersnake. The walk also takes in a rock shelter containing rock
art.
TIP
In summer it pays to start your walks early in the morning, as the sun and heat
can become unbearable for those not use to it, especially during the middle of
the day. Ensure you take enough water for your walk! And be prepared for flies. |
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Maruku Arts
C.M.A. Ininti Store, AYERS ROCK NT 0872
Ph: 08 8956 2153
Fax: 08 8956 2410
Details:
The Maruku Arts centre was established in 1984 by and for Aboriginal people in
response to a growing need for the effective co-ordination of marketing and
support services to Aboriginal craftspeople living in the region. Located at the
Mutitjulu Community within Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, Maruku operated as a
regional centre providing a service to some 800 Pitjantjatjara, Yankunytjatjara
and Ngaanyatjara craftspeople living in communities and homeland centres to the
west, south and east of Uluru.
Maruku employs highly skilled staff who devote much of their time to travelling
through the region liaising with craftspeople and buying their works. These
works are then returned to the Maruku warehouse where they are documented and
sold either locally through the Maruku retail outlet at Uluru-Kata Tjuta
National Park, wholesale to shops and galleries throughout Australia or through
prestige exhibitions.
Maruku Arts is 100% Aboriginal owned co-operative. The centre at Uluru operates
in the Mutitjulu homelands with the assistance of Mutitjulu Council. All income
from sales is returned to the centre and utilised to continue the purchasing and
marketing of crafts.
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Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park - The Climb
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Please do not climb Uluru
What is referred to as the climb is the traditional route taken by ancestral
Mala men upon their arrival at Uluru. Because of the great spiritual
significance for the local Aboriginal Owners, and as guest on Anangu
land, it is hoped that visitors to Uluru will respect their law and
culture by choosing not to climb.
With over 35 people having died while attempting to climb Uluru; whilst
many others have been injured, it makes the local Aboriginal owners sad, when a
person dies or is injured on their land.
By visiting their Cultural Centre, you can learn more about the significance of
Uluru.
There are a number of other challenging and interesting things to do whilst at
the Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park. Details can be found in their brochure, when
you purchase your visitor permit or you can talk to their Information Officers
at the Cultural Centre.
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Climbing Uluru Can Be Dangerous |
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The climb is physically demanding. It is recommended that you do not attempt the
climb if you have high or low blood pressure, heart problems, breathing
problems, a fear of heights, or if you are not reasonably fit. You should also
read the safety information provided in their brochure and available at the
Cultural Centre. The climb may also be closed due to a number of reasons, as
well as being closed daily outside of day light hours. Other reasons it may be
closed are:
- if the forecast temperature is over 36บC
- during wet periods, or when rain or storms are predicted.
- wind speed at the summit is more than 25 knots
- when there is low cloud, obscuring the summit
It may be closed if a rescue operation is in progress. It may also be closed
at the request of the Traditional Owners for cultural reasons, such as during a
period of mourning. |
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Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park - Sacred Sites
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IMPORTANT: SACRED SITES |
Around the base of Uluru are important sacred areas. Some of these are sacred
under traditional men's law and some are sacred under traditional women's law.
Viewing or entering these areas is forbidden unless properly authorised by
senior men or women. Knowledge of these areas is also restricted. This has been
the custom for tens of thousands of years. These sites are cared for by the
right people according to Anangu law. They are fenced and registered as sacred
areas. It is very important that you do not enter or take photographs of these
sacred sits.
Please respect these places and do not enter them. Trespassers can be prosecuted
under NT and Commonwealth laws. |
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