Address: Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, Lasseter Highway, Uluru NT 0872, Australia Tel No: +61-889561128
Uluru (Ayres Rock) is a huge, single rock formation in the Uluru Kata Tjuta National Park which covers 512 square miles; it is located in Central Australia’s Northern Territory and has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1987. The park has another major feature, Kata Tjuta (The Olgas) which are a range of 36 rock domes, they are located approximately 25km West of Uluru.
Both are considered sacred places by the local Pitjantjatjara people, known as Anangu, who have been connected to the area for thousands of years. The names Uluru and Kata Tjuta come from the local people and mean ‘Mother Earth’ and ‘Many Heads’ respectively. The dual names of Uluru and Ayres Rock came about when in 1873, the Surveyor William Gosse sighted the landmark and named it Ayers Rock in honour of the then Chief Secretary of South Australia, Sir Henry Ayres, Since then, both names have been used.
Aboriginal culture states that Uluru was formed by their ancestral beings during ‘Dreamtime’ The rock’s many sacred caves and fissures at its base are thought to be evidence of this, and some of the forms around Uluru are said to represent ancestral spirits. Rituals are still often held today in the caves around the base where ‘No Photography’ signs are posted out of respect. The rock also extends around 1.5 miles underground, the Anangu believe this space is actually hollow containing an energy source that marks the spot where their ‘dreamtime’ began.
The best time to experience the magical and awe inspiring sights is at sunrise and sunset as the colours of the entire landscape change based on the light.
There is an official sunset/sunrise viewing point where you can see the spectacular landscape when it is coloured a fiery orange/red by the sun’s rays.
OPENING TIMES
From 5am to 9pm depending on the time of year and the Sunrise and sunset times
PARKING
Mala Car Park
CHARGES
Adult $38 for a three day pass, under 17’s free
EATING/DRINKING
Initi Cafe & Souvenirs, open 9-4.30pm Monday to Saturday
FACILITIES
The Cultural Centre. There are shops where you can buy local art and souvenirs There are many tours available from short two hour walking tours starting from around $90 to day trips around $200
NEAREST TOWN
Yulara is the nearest town to Uluru, it is approximately 20 kilometres to the Mala Car Park . This is a small township of under 1,500 people. You can find accommodation here from 5 star hotels to camping, please note that there is no camping inside the National Park.
HOW TO GET THERE
AIR: Ayers Rock Airport is the closest airport to Yulara (10 minute drive into town). You can take the free shuttle bus to Yulara or hire a car at the Airport.
From Yulara you can take a bus into the National Park.
BY ROAD: The drive from Alice Springs to Uluru (Ayers Rock) is 450 km There are 2 main routes to travel between Alice and Uluru, the all bitumen Lasseter and Stuart Highways. Or the Mereenie Loop Road (4WD required). The pass required to travel on this road is available at the Visitors Centre in Alice Springs or along the way at Kings Canyon or Glen Helen depending on which way you are travelling.
TOUR: Join a multi day tour from Alice Springs or Yulara that can take you to many of the main sites over the course of a few days.