UluruKata

UluruKata, also known as Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, is a protected area in the southern part of the Northern Territory, Australia. It encompasses the large sandstone monolith Uluru (Ayers Rock) and the rock formations of Kata Tjuta (The Olgas). The park covers about 1,325 square kilometers and lies within the traditional lands of the Anangu people, southwest of Alice Springs near the resort town of Yulara. Uluru rises about 348 meters above the surrounding plain, with a circumference of about 9.4 kilometers at its base. Kata Tjuta consists of 36 domed rock formations with several high points up to roughly 546 meters.

Historically and culturally significant, UluruKata is held sacred by the Anangu, who maintain a Tjukurpa (Dreaming) worldview connected to the landscape. The park is managed under a joint arrangement by the Anangu and Parks Australia, with protection of cultural values and natural conservation as guiding objectives. In 1987, Uluru-Kata Tjuta was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List for its cultural and natural value, and it remains a leading example of Indigenous land stewardship within a protected area.

Ecology in the park includes desert-adapted species such as spinifex grasses, shrubs, and animals like the red kangaroo, perentie lizard, and various bird species. The climate is arid, with hot summers, cool winters, and low year-round rainfall.

In 2019 the ascent of Uluru was permanently closed to visitors to respect Anangu wishes and safety concerns. Visitors can walk around the base of Uluru and explore the valley areas of Kata Tjuta via established tracks, while cultural tours and guided experiences offer insights into Anangu traditions and Tjukurpa.