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Uluru (Ayers Rock) Travel Guide

Travel to Uluru (Ayers Rock) - Uluru-Kata Tjuta N. Park

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The enormous monolith and World Heritage Site of Uluru, also known as Ayers Rock, fascinates and inspires people from around the world with its glowing presence at sunrise and sunset. The Uluru and Kata Tjuta you see today are the remains of erosion that began around 500 million years ago. Like icebergs, both formations are but visible tips of enormous slabs of rock that extend as far as six kilometres into the ground.

Archaeological work suggests that Aboriginal people have lived in the area for at least 22,000 years. The Anangu people are Uluru's traditional custodians but until recently, the famous monolith was known as Ayers Rock, named after former premier Sir Henry Ayers by European explorer William Gosse, who first sighted the rock in 1873. Uluru was returned to the care and ownership of the Anangu in 1985 and they now jointly manage the national park with Parks Australia.

Attractions in Uluru (Ayers Rock)

The Uluru-Kata Tjuta region is rich in indigenous culture and many options exist for travellers who want to learn about the area from an Aboriginal perspective - whether by visiting Uluru-Kata Tjuta Cultural Centre, buying local art or joining a tour with a local Aboriginal guide.

Activities in Uluru (Ayers Rock)

The Anangu people prefer visitors don't climb Uluru because it's a sacred site, so nowadays many visitors choose to do the 9.4 km Uluru base walk instead. The walk is divided into sections, or visitors can choose to walk the entire circumference. It begins at the base of the climb and three to four hours should be allowed to complete the full distance.

The unsealed Mereenie Loop is recognised as one the greatest desert drives in Australia. Connecting Alice Springs with Watarrka National Park and Uluru-Kata Tjuta via a stretch of dirt track that ploughs through the West MacDonnell Ranges, it's an interesting alternative to the Explorer's Way for anyone with a 4x4.

Relaxing

The Ayers Rock Resort complex in the township of Yulara is made up of six hotels. They range in style from prestigious Longitude 131 and a five-star resort through to self-contained apartments, hotel and budget rooms and campgrounds.

Getting Around

Situated 462 kilometres by road south-west of Alice Springs, Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park is connected to Alice by networks of sealed roads and has its own airport, with flights to and from Alice Springs, Melbourne, Sydney, Cairns, Perth and Darwin.