Uluru/Ayers Rock NT 0872
Uluru is located 1 395 km s of Darwin and 465 km w
of
Alice Springs in the
NT's Red
Centre. This huge sandstone rock formation (348
m) together with
Kata Tjuta (the Olgas) are the Northern
Territory's greatest tourist attractions. Aboriginal
heritage dates back 10 000 years and the name
Uluru is a local family name applying to both the
rock and its waterhole on top. European exploration
began in 1870s with William Gosse sighting and naming
the rock in 1873 to honour Sir Henry Ayers (Chief
Secretary of SA) and Ernest Giles being the first
European to climb the rock in the same year. In 1958
Ayers Rock, together with the Olgas formed Ayers Rock
NP (today Uluru-Kata Tjuta NP). The title of the rock
was handed back to the traditional owners in 1985. It
is considered a sacred site by the Pitjantjatjara
& Yankunytjatjara tribes who urge visitors to
'respect our law by not climbing Uluru'. About 10% of
visitors do actually climb the rock which takes
approx 3 hours.
Visitor Information Centre: Ayers Rock Resort.
Tel (08) 8957 7377.
Regional Business Directory:
1. Beauty & Fashion
2. Business to Business
On the Map