Backpacking Uluru (Ayers Rock) and Kata Tjuta (The Olgas)

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  • uluru-19088
    COME AND SEE AUSTRALIA'S MOST FAMOUS NATURAL ATTRACTION - ULURU (AYERS ROCK): Photo courtesy Tourism NT
  • uluru-13731
    WHILE YOU HERE, CHECK OUT THE NEARBY KATA TJUTA (THE OLGAS) ROCK FORMATION, WHICH IS JUST AS SPECTACULAR: Photo courtesy Tourism NT
  • uluru-19013
    ALSO NEARBY IS THE LESSER KNOWN MOUNT CONNOR, WHICH IS 3 TIMES BIGGER THAN ULURU: Photo courtesy Tourism NT
  • uluru-6286
    TRY SOMETHING DIFFERENT AND HEAD OFF ON AN ADVENTURE AND DO A CAMEL TREK INTO THE OUTBACK: Photo courtesy Tourism NT
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Uluru (Ayers Rock) and Kata Tjuta (The Olgas) Highlights

  • Experience Australia's most recognisable natural icon, Uluru (Ayers Rock), which stands at 348 metres high and 3.6 km long and is over 500 million years old. It is particularly impressive at sunset and sunrise where you can witness the amazing colour changes.

  • Visit the 36 undulating domes scattered over an area larger than Ayres Rock, known as Kata Tjuta (The Olgas), which are just as impressive as Uluru (Ayres Rock) for their sheer size, formation and beauty.

  • Walk around the base of Uluru to see caves filled with Aboriginal artwork and some spectacular views of the rock and surrounding scenery.

  • Undertake one of the many other excellent walks available to explore the stunning views and scenery of Uluru (Ayers Rock) and Kata Tjuta (The Olgas).

  • Visit the Uluru-Kata Tjuta Cultural Centre and learn about the local Aboriginal Anangu people's culture, get an introduction to Tjukurpa (law, knowledge, religion, philosophy), Anangu art, Anangu way of life (traditional and current), history, languages, wildlife and joint management of the Park.

  • Take a tour to get up close to Mount Connor, which in terms of size it is said to be three times larger than Uluru.

About Uluru (Ayers Rock) and Kata Tjuta (The Olgas)

The two main attractions in the area are Uluru (Ayers Rock) and Kata Tjuta (The Olgas), which are both located in the Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park. Both of these impressive natural attractions have great Aboriginal cultural significance for the Anangu traditional landowners.

You can undertake various walking tours by the Anangu traditional landowners, who will tell you about the fascinating Aboriginal Dreamtime stories of the area, as well as local flora, wildlife and bush foods.

The nearest town to these places is Yulara. This small town provides various types of accommodation ranging from a backpackers hostel, camp grounds to five-star hotels. There are various facilities available in Yulara, such as a supermarket, cafes, restaurants, shops, petrol station and the airport is also located not too far from town.


Uluru (Ayers Rock)

This truly spectacular rock, known as Uluru (Ayers Rocks) is Australia's most recognisable natural icon. The famous sandstone monolith is much bigger than it looks in photos. It stands at 348 metres high and 3.6 km long and is over 500 million years old. Most of the rock is actually below the surface.

Many first time visitors to Australia believe that Ayres Rock is visible from Alice Springs. In outback terms, it is only a stones throw from Alice Springs, but in real terms, Ayres Rock is located some 461 km southwest of Alice Springs in the Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park.

Thousands of people visit the Rock each year to view the spectacular colours of sunrise and sunset. Climbing the Rock is still allowed, although has been severely restricted. Walking around the base of the Rock can take up to five hours, but allows you to see caves filled with Aboriginal artwork and some spectacular views of the rock and surrounding scenery. Certain areas are restricted as Sacred Aboriginal sites and may not be visited.

Kata Tjuta (The Olgas)

Approximately 30km to the west of Uluru (Ayres Rock) is Kata Tjuta (The Olgas), which are 36 undulating domes scattered over an area larger than Ayres Rock. The Aboriginal term means many heads. The Olgas are just as impressive as Uluru (Ayres Rock) for their sheer size, formation and beauty.

Orientation Map for Uluru (Ayers Rock)


View map of Uluru (Ayers Rock) in a larger map

Uluru-Kata Tjuta Cultural Centre

Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park Headquarters
Yulara, Northern Territory
Phone (08) 8956 1128
Website