Uluru Kata Tjuta National Park

Discovering the Outback of Australia: Uluru and Kata Tjuta
By Melinda Wythes

Sitting at the heart of Australia, on the outback plains, is one of the most famous places in Australia, Ayres Rock, also known as Uluru to the local indigenous people.  With a rise of 348 metres high and a 9-kilometre walk around the base, this sandstone rock hold great spiritual traditions and beliefs to the local people, the Pitjantjatjara and Yankunytiatjara people, they also call themselves the Anangu.  

There have been many different Dreamtime stories told about how Uluru was created: from two boys playing in the mud, to the pythons and poisonous snakes that lived in the rock.  Uluru, today, still holds much spiritual belief and traditions to the local Anangu people.

Tourists today can take a tour around the base of the rock by one of the Anangu people and learn about the traditions and beliefs that are associated with Uluru, as well as the facts about the local wildlife and flora.  Due to theses traditions and beliefs, we ask that you do not climb the rock or take any rock away from Uluru, as the it is believed to be cursed and will give you misfortune.  Also, there are sacred areas of the rock that should not be photographed, as ritual relating to gender are performed in different areas and should not be seen by the opposite gender.

The Rock has been known to change colour as the different light throughout the day changes, from bright reds at midday, to the soft grey during the wet season.  This is the one “must see place” in the Australian Outback.  It has culture and traditions linked to it, it is in one of the most beautiful spots of the world and there is nothing to compare it to anywhere else.

Only 25 kilometres from Uluru is it’s “sister” Kata Tjuta.  With an appropriate of many heads, Kata Tjuta is made up of over 36 steep-sloped mounds, with the highest reaching as much as 548 metres.  The English name for Kata Tjuta is Mt Olga, or the Olgas, named after Queen Olga of Wuttemberg.  

Just like Uluru there are many Dreamtime stories associated with Kata Tjuta, the main one about a snake that lives at the top of the highest peak and only comes down during the dry season.  However, these stories are kept within the local tribes of the areas.  The spiritual ceremonies that are performed here, at Kata Tjuta, have been done so mainly at nighttime.  Formally the ceromies were performed as public punishment and often resulted in death.

Together Kata Tjuta and Uluru serve as important features to the Indigenous people of Australia.  When visiting these places, just be mindful of the traditions and beliefs of the local people to these areas.  Both places are easily accessed and there are many tour company operators that will travel to Uluru and Kata Tjuta.