Uluru-Kata-Tjuta National Park
And finally we arrive at the Red Centre, home to perhaps the greatest natural Australian icon of them all, Uluru (Ayers Rock). Uluru, to give Ayers Rock its original Aboriginal name, rises 348m out of the surrounding sandy scrubland, dwarfing everything else in sight. It is 2¼ miles long, and the circumference is around six miles.
Like an iceberg, however, it is believed that at least two thirds of the Rock (or about 3½ miles) lie below the surface of the ground. Not only is Uluru an amazing natural wonder, it is also of immense cultural and spiritual importance to the traditional landowners, the Anangu Aboriginal people, and visitors to the region should be encouraged to join a cultural tour to learn more about the Rock’s significance.
Archaeological research has shown that the area encompassed by the Uluru-Kata-Tjuta National Park has been inhabited by the Anangu people for at least 22,000 years – therefore it is only right that these people are the traditional custodians of the land, although it was only returned to them in 1985 and now comes under their joint control with Parks Australia. There is a AU$25 charge for entry into the National Park, but this allows visitors to return on three consecutive days.
Uluru is of course a photographer’s dream – at sunrise and sunset, the sun turns the rock a series of reds, pinks and oranges. Also within the Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park lies Kata Tjuta, known to visitors more commonly as the Olgas, a huge pile of 36 domes of rock that date back up to a staggering 500 million years. Lying just less than 20 miles to the west of Uluru, the Olgas are just as impressive – the highest dome is about 200m taller than Uluru, and there are some great walking trails around them, the Valley of the Winds being the most well-trod. Yulara is basically the resort that serves visitors to both Uluru and Kata Tjuta, and is home to a selection of accommodation types, from camp site to luxury hotel, restaurants, and shops.
Visitors to Uluru Kata Tjuta National Park will be rewarded with stunning views and a fascinating experience whatever time of year they choose to visit. Generally the region’s weather is bright, clear and sunny, but temperatures vary enormously from season to season and throughout the day. At the height of summer (January), daily temperatures reach a high or around 38 degrees Celsius, and in June, night time temperatures can hover around 4 degrees C.
Like an iceberg, however, it is believed that at least two thirds of the Rock (or about 3½ miles) lie below the surface of the ground. Not only is Uluru an amazing natural wonder, it is also of immense cultural and spiritual importance to the traditional landowners, the Anangu Aboriginal people, and visitors to the region should be encouraged to join a cultural tour to learn more about the Rock’s significance.
Archaeological research has shown that the area encompassed by the Uluru-Kata-Tjuta National Park has been inhabited by the Anangu people for at least 22,000 years – therefore it is only right that these people are the traditional custodians of the land, although it was only returned to them in 1985 and now comes under their joint control with Parks Australia. There is a AU$25 charge for entry into the National Park, but this allows visitors to return on three consecutive days.
Uluru is of course a photographer’s dream – at sunrise and sunset, the sun turns the rock a series of reds, pinks and oranges. Also within the Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park lies Kata Tjuta, known to visitors more commonly as the Olgas, a huge pile of 36 domes of rock that date back up to a staggering 500 million years. Lying just less than 20 miles to the west of Uluru, the Olgas are just as impressive – the highest dome is about 200m taller than Uluru, and there are some great walking trails around them, the Valley of the Winds being the most well-trod. Yulara is basically the resort that serves visitors to both Uluru and Kata Tjuta, and is home to a selection of accommodation types, from camp site to luxury hotel, restaurants, and shops.
Visitors to Uluru Kata Tjuta National Park will be rewarded with stunning views and a fascinating experience whatever time of year they choose to visit. Generally the region’s weather is bright, clear and sunny, but temperatures vary enormously from season to season and throughout the day. At the height of summer (January), daily temperatures reach a high or around 38 degrees Celsius, and in June, night time temperatures can hover around 4 degrees C.
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