Uluru & Kata Kjuta National Park (Ayers Rock and the Olgas), NT
Uluru and Kata Kjuta National Park is the most known national park of Australia and a World Heritage-listed site. Uluru is the aboriginal name for Ayers Rock, the world's most famous monolith and the icon of Australia; while Kata Kjuta is the aboriginal name of the Olgas and means many heads to explain the enormous domes that rose millions ago east of Uluru. The geology of the rocks is explained at the visitor information centre and in the national park at the cultural centre that lies in the shadow of Uluru. History of the Olgas and of Ayers Rock is well explained in the park and a big importance is given to the Anangu culture. The Anangu are the aboriginal people that lived the area before and during the presence of white people around Ayers Rock and the Olgas. As demonstration of the importance of their culture, the park is managed by local aboriginal guides together with white people and lot of tours include explanation and history of the aboriginal dreaming stories and traditions, performances and dances.
The park appeared to me very organised and strict in rules: it is not possible to stay overnight and camping inside and no firewood or animals are allowed in the park, that is protected by the Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act. A fee of $25 is required to pay at the entrance and it lasts for 3 days. Accommodations are provided in Yulara, the small town created in order to preserve Uluru areas and supply accommodation, eateries and tour facilities. There it is possible to find a supermarket, newsagent, bank and airport as well as campsites, apartments and the resort, plus some shops and theatre and amphitheatre where performances, shows and art craft markets take part in.
The park has opening and closing time depending on the season and some of the walking trails can be closed because of elevate temperature or rough weather. When I was there, the temperature was over 36 degree and some walking trails in the Olgas were closed after 11 am for the hot weather and as well climbing Uluru wasn't allowed.
Uluru is 348m high and has a circumference of 9.4km, it's believed that the rock continues several kilometre underground as well as the Olgas, that are taller and reach 548m in height.
Both the rocks are stunning and surrounded by the power of its ancient spirit. They are absolutely to explore and photograph in their splendour.
A funny note: the first tourists arriving from Alice Springs confused the big monolith, Ayers Rock, with Mt Conner, a wonderful mount that rises 300m above the ground and is located near Curtin Springs, part of a private property, the Curtin Springs Station. They just realised their mistakes, only when they had shown their photographs to other. What an embarrassing mistake!!
The park appeared to me very organised and strict in rules: it is not possible to stay overnight and camping inside and no firewood or animals are allowed in the park, that is protected by the Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act. A fee of $25 is required to pay at the entrance and it lasts for 3 days. Accommodations are provided in Yulara, the small town created in order to preserve Uluru areas and supply accommodation, eateries and tour facilities. There it is possible to find a supermarket, newsagent, bank and airport as well as campsites, apartments and the resort, plus some shops and theatre and amphitheatre where performances, shows and art craft markets take part in.
The park has opening and closing time depending on the season and some of the walking trails can be closed because of elevate temperature or rough weather. When I was there, the temperature was over 36 degree and some walking trails in the Olgas were closed after 11 am for the hot weather and as well climbing Uluru wasn't allowed.
Uluru is 348m high and has a circumference of 9.4km, it's believed that the rock continues several kilometre underground as well as the Olgas, that are taller and reach 548m in height.
Both the rocks are stunning and surrounded by the power of its ancient spirit. They are absolutely to explore and photograph in their splendour.
A funny note: the first tourists arriving from Alice Springs confused the big monolith, Ayers Rock, with Mt Conner, a wonderful mount that rises 300m above the ground and is located near Curtin Springs, part of a private property, the Curtin Springs Station. They just realised their mistakes, only when they had shown their photographs to other. What an embarrassing mistake!!
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