Australia, Ayers Rock, Uluru, Northern Territory

Uluru (Ayers Rock)

Uluru is the homeland of the Pitjantjatjara and Yankunytjatjara people (also known as Anangu). It was returned to their care and ownership in 1985. The area contains carvings and paintings by Aboriginal people. The area also contains a number of sacred sites which are closed to the public.

Uluru was named 'Ayers Rock' by European explorer Ernest Giles who sighted it 1872. He named it for the South Australian premier of the time, Sir Henry Ayers. In 1995 the name of the National Park was changed from Ayres Rock-Mount Olga National Park to Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park to acknowledge Anangu ownership and their relationship with the area.

Huge, red and towering over the landscape.

Situated in Kata Tjuta National Park, it is the world's largest monolith, rising 348 metres above the desert floor. It has a circumference of 9.4km.
Its ascent is 1.6km and steep in parts.
Depending on the time of day and the position of the sun, dust and cloud cover, and atmospheric conditions, its colouring can change from various shades of red to orange to lilac. At sunset this change can happen in a matter of minutes.

Approx 450km south-west of Alice Springs.

Accommodation available from camping, lodges to hotels.

For more information click here.

CLIMATE
Summer 21-36 (celsius)
Autumn 13-28
Winter 4-20
Spring 15-31

GETTING THERE

AIR
Fly from any capital city and land at either Alice Springs or Ayers Rock.
Flight from Alice Springs to Uluru takes approximately 40 mins.

RAIL
Catch a train from Sydney, Melbourne or Perth and connect with "The Ghan" from Adelaide, to Alice Springs.
From Queensland, catch "The Inlander" from Townsville to Mt Isa, then coach or fly.

ROAD
Three main highways, fully sealed roads, the Stuart from Adelaide to Darwin; The Barkly from Townsville through to Mt Isa; from Perth join the Victoria Highway at Kununurra.

DISTANCE AND TRAVELLING TIME

From:
Sydney 2954 km
Melbourne 2278 km
Brisbane 3509 km
Perth 3628 km
Adelaide 1544 km

Road (days):
  3
  3
  2.5
  4.5
  1.5

Ayers Rock Resort Visitors and Information Centre
For local information, Aboriginal culture, displays and museum.
Tour bookings.
Open 8am to 9pm daily.
Ayers Rock Resort
Tel (089) 562 240
...more info