Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park

The Uluṟu-Kata Tjuṯa National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage-listed area, is located 440 kilometres by road south-west of Alice Springs in Australia's Northern Territory. It is home to Uluru (known also by its European name Ayer's Rock), which stands some 348 metres high. The monolith has a great cultural significance for the traditional Aboriginal owners, the Anangu people. The park also includes the 36 domes of Kata Tjuta (The Olgas). Both iconic Outback landmarks date back hundreds of million of years.

Uluru's traditional owners are the Anangu, comprised of Yankunytjatjara and Pitjantjatjara people. They ask visitors not to climb Uluru as the ancient monolith is key to their ancient Dreamtime beliefs. They also ask visitors to respect the park and treat it with care, given that it forms part of their ancient tribal homelands.

The Australian federal government handed the land back to its traditional owners in 1985, with the local people granted a lease over the land. it was subsequently leased back to the National Parks and Wildlife Service, which jointly manages it with the Anungu.

Images

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