Home to the 36 domes of Kata Tjuta (The Olgas) and the world-famous Uluru (Ayers Rock)Opens in a new window, the Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park also has many other wonders to discover, from indigenous cultural heritage to an astounding variety of birdlife. The park is both UNESCO and World Heritage listed for its cultural and natural significance.
Uluru, the great sandstone monolith that seems to glow with red and purple hues at sunset, is at the top of the list of most people visiting the park. The rock has deep cultural importance for the Anangu people and its sheer size and beauty are awing. Take the Mala and Kuniya walks at the base of Uluru to see ancient art on the rock shelters.
Don’t overlook the park’s other incredible geological wonder, Kata Tjuta. The formation of 36 sandstone domes is riddled with gorges and waterholes to explore. Meaning “many heads”, Kata Tjuta rises even higher than Uluru and is spread over 20 kilometres (12.5 miles).
Discover the site’s incredible geology on foot on the 2-3 hour Valley of the Winds walk, which takes you through the towering domes along rocky tracks to a lookout over the desert.
The shorter and less challenging Walpa Gorge walk takes you through the red sandstone walls to a rock pool that is a haven for a variety of birdlife. Watch an incredible sunset over the domes amid the grey-green scrub surrounds.
Learn about the living traditions of the Anangu people at the Uluru-Kata Tjuta Cultural Centre. The building was created in consultation with Anangu community members to represent two snake ancestors. Enter through the Tjukurpa Tunnel to learn about these ancestors. Continue inside to see displays of art and interactive storytelling, shown through dance and song.
The Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park is best seen during the dry, cooler months of May and April, when the desert nights are not too cold and the heat of the day is not so extreme.
