Darwin to Uluru - Central Australia: Adelaide to Darwin - page 442

Yulara about 80km away, and the closest alternative to staying at Ayers Rock Resort. You
can pitch a tent for free (showers $3) or bed down in a well-maintained cabin. There's
fuel, a store with limited supplies and takeaway and bistro meals (mains $20 to $32),
plus a bar.

ULURU-KATA TJUTA NATIONAL PARK
For many visitors, Australian and international, a visit to Uluru is high on the list of
'must-sees' and the World Heritage-listed icon has attained the status of a pilgrimage.
But the park offers much more than just the multidimensional grandeur of Uluru. Along
with the equally (some say more) impressive Kata Tjuta (the Olgas) the area is of deep
cultural significance to the traditional owners, the Pitjantjatjara and Yankuntjatjara Ab-
original peoples (who refer to themselves as Anangu). The Anangu officially own the na-
tional park, which is leased to Parks Australia and jointly administered.
Although many of the 400,000 annual visitors whiz through here in 24 hours, it's re-
commended to spend at least the three days the entry pass allows. There's plenty to see
and do: meandering walks, guided tours, desert culture and contemplating the many
changing colours and moods of the great monolith itself.
The only accommodation is Ayers Rock Resort ( Click here ) in the Yulara village,
20km from the Rock, where you can expect premium prices, reflecting the remote locale.

8 Information
The park ( www.environment.gov.au/parks/uluru ; adult/child $25/free) is open from half an
hour before sunrise to sunset daily (varying between 5am to 9pm November to March
and 6am to 7.30pm April to October). Entry permits are valid for three days and avail-
able at the drive-through entry station on the road from Yulara.
Uluru-Kata Tjuta Cultural Centre ( 08-8956 1128; 7am-6pm) is 1km before Uluru
on the road from Yulara and should be your first stop. Displays and exhibits focus on
tjukurpa (Aboriginal law, religion and custom) and the history and management of the
national park. The information desk in the Nintiringkupai building is staffed by park
rangers who supply the informative Visitor Guide, leaflets and walking notes. During the
week a local Anangu ranger runs a presentation at 10am each morning on bush foods and
Aboriginal history.
The Cultural Centre encompasses the craft outlet Maruku Arts ( 08-8956 2558;
www.maruku.com.au ; 8.30am-5.30pm) , owned by about 20 Anangu communities from
across central Australia (including the local Mutitjulu community), selling hand-crafted
wooden carvings, bowls and boomerangs. Walkatjara Art Centre (

08-8956 2537;