The highest point is Mount Olga, named in honour of Queen Olga of Württemberg by the explorer Ernest Giles. Take a helicopter flight to appreciate the scale of the formations, Witness sunrise or sunset over the red rocks of Ulu. The rocky material that ultimately became Uluru and Kata Tjuta was in one of the mountain ranges formed — the Petermann Ranges. Find out more. The origins of Uluru (and Kata Tjuta) date back about 500 million years, to around the same time the Australian continent was formed. Book one of our highly awarded group tours and look forward to sights and experiences you will never forget. "You would expect Uluru to start breaking up along the bedding planes, which are now vertical, but it doesn't, so it's really been welded together well.". The origins of Uluru (and Kata Tjuta) date back about 500 million years, to around the same time the Australian continent was formed. Kata Tjuta is a Pitjantjatjara Aboriginal word meaning "many heads." However, the sand that became the arkose sandstone of Uluru was dumped at the bottom of the mountain range. The rock that sticks up now as Uluru was probably in a tight fold, said Dr Bradshaw, and that may be why the rock itself is so hard, resistant and homogenous. "screenSet": "Aus-ProfileUpdate", ", "The original sediments that formed Uluru and Kata Tjuta were special in their own way," said Dr Bradshaw, "because they were coming right off a big mountain range. Helicopter tour at Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, Northern Territory © Shaana McNaught, Tourism NT. Kata Tjuta is made up of 36 domes spread over an area of more than 20 kilometres (12.4 miles). For a unique and luxurious immersion into the environment, stay at Longitude 131°. Information on listed products and services, including Covid-safe accreditations, are provided by the third-party operator and were correct at the time of publishing on Australian Tourism Data Warehouse. "screenSet": "Aus-RegistrationLogin", "screenSet": "Aus-RegistrationLogin", Fly over Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park in your choice of Plane or Helicopter. VISIT ULURU AND KATA TJUTA Affordable, direct, friendly transfers. }, Norfolk Island. The red colour of Uluru is due to the oxidation or the rusting of the iron-bearing minerals within the rock as it has sat there in the desert air for hundreds of thousands of years, said Dr Bradshaw. "startScreen": "gigya-reset-password-screen" Kata Tjuta, Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, Northern Territory © Shaana McNaught, Tourism NT, Enjoy the many walking tracks for all abilities. The Ghan is a comfortable and scenic train journey between Adelaide and Darwin. All prices quoted are in Australian dollars (AUD). "startScreen": "gigya-register-screen" The entire circuit takes about four hours. You'll begin your walks with a deeper understanding of the formations and the spirit of this special area. Click, tap or hover to hear the songs and stories of Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, guided by Anangu traditional owners. The newly-formed Petermann Ranges were similar in size to the French Alps or the Himalayas. "campaignIntegrationUrl": "/bin/create/recipient", }, Jetstar and Virgin Australia fly to Ayers Rock Airport direct from Sydney. Maruku Arts, Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, Northern Territory © Tourism Australia, Visit Aboriginal art galleries and meet the artists. But without any plant cover they eroded rapidly. Longitude 131, Ayers Rock Resort, Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, Northern Territory © David Hancock, Longitude 131. Our online bookings are now open and we look forward to welcoming you aboard. Click here to visit Uluru & Kata Tjuta Scenic Flight Uluru & Kata Tjuta Scenic Flight. It’s got it all - stunning scenery, fascinating history and delicious food. Planet Earth was a different world back then; there were no land-based plants and it would be another 250 million years before dinosaurs roamed. "It's got the big feldspar crystals in it which means it was very close to the source and it hadn't been in a big river system being shifted for a long time, so not much chemical or mechanical erosion happened to it.". Uluru. Watch the sunrise at Uluru, and then travel to the 36 domes of Kata Tjuta. The walk is closed when temperatures reach 36°C (96.8°F), which is very common in summer (December to February). Get all the latest science stories from across the ABC. Some websites which are linked to the Tourism Australia website are independent from Tourism Australia and are not under the control of Tourism Australia. After this long period of rapid mountain building and erosion the centre of Australia turned into an inland sea and a phase of deposition began in what is now known as the Amadeus Basin. ", "And then the deformation of it was also special. Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site, protects Uluru (the monolith formerly called Ayers Rock) and Kata Tjuta (rock … Experience Aboriginal culture, desert adventures and the changing colours of Uluru in Australia's Red Centre. This service may include material from Agence France-Presse (AFP), APTN, Reuters, AAP, CNN and the BBC World Service which is copyright and cannot be reproduced. The Kata Tjuta dune viewing and sunset viewing areas offer magnificent panoramic views of the domes and are relaxing places to sit and absorb the ever-changing landscape. Another mountain-building event, known as the Alice Springs Orogeny, began around this time. While you're at the cultural centre you can buy local artwork, souvenirs, snacks and drinks from stores managed by traditional owners. Around 400 million years ago the sands and gravels of Uluru and Kata Tjuta were so far down, and under so much pressure, they changed from sediment into rock. There are also barbecues and toilets. By clicking any link on this page you are giving your consent for us to set cookies. This afternoon, visit the Uluru-Kata Tjuta Cultural Centre. Kata Tjuta, Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, Northern Territory © Tourism Australia, Learn about the significance of Kata Tjuta. The sediments that make up Kata Tjuta were moved by a river system into an alluvial fan. You'll go between the domes, through creek beds and to the Karu and Karingana lookouts. "And it stands together as a really coherent and welded-together rock that has been etched and polished over tens of millions of years to be the beautiful Uluru that we see now. It's really welded together as a rock.". click here. Uluru is the most iconic natural landform in Australia — and its formation is an equally special story of creation, destruction and reinvention. Now it's worth just $1, 'No immediate plan' for surgery after Daniel Andrews injures spine in fall, 'Never complain, never explain': What to make of the Queen's response to Harry and Meghan, Why the royal household's HR department couldn't support Meghan Markle, Cairns Hospital declares 'code yellow' emergency after influx of COVID-19 patients from PNG, Telstra opens all-Indigenous call centre in bid to make amends with remote customers it exploited, Kylie and Dannii Minogue among mourners at private funeral for music icon Michael Gudinski, Does the crash of a UK firm foreshadow another 'Whyalla wipe-out? The deformation flipped the sediments on their side so the originally horizontal layers of sand and gravel, known as the 'bedding planes', are now vertical. Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park is jointly managed by its Anangu traditional owners and Parks Australia. If you're planning a trip to Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, be sure to stop by the Cultural Centre to learn more about the … The rocks making up Uluru and Kata Tjuta were also involved. Welcome to Tourism Australia {{firstName}} {{lastName}}. Away from the city lights, you'll see an incredibly vibrant night sky. "login": { We are standing in a sacred place, looking up at Uluru. Then, join your guide for a drive around the base of Uluru. Kata Tjuta is sacred to the Anangu people, who have inhabited the area for more than 22,000 years. "event": "taCustEvent", "homePagePath": "/content/australia/en_us.html", Get expert help from an Aussie Specialist who has the knowledge and experience to help you plan and book every detail of your trip. The 2.6-kilometre (1.6-mile) Walpa Gorge Walk is one of the shorter and easier trails around Kata Tjuta. Some popular 4WD routes through deserts link Alice Springs to the Kimberley region and Kalgoorlie in Western Australia. }, {"PageInfo":{"component":"PageInfo"},"Hero":{"component":"Hero","subTitle":"Home to red rock domes","title":"<p>Guide to Kata Tjuta<\\/p>\\r\\n","playerId":"default"}}. While you're up there, the pilot will take you on a spectacular fly past Uluru too. The longest trail is the 7.4-kilometre (4.6-mile) Valley of the Winds Walk. Anangu welcome you to Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, a living cultural landscape where earth and memories exist as one.. More than just a photo opportunity, our iconic rock formations hide ancient wisdom and diverse plant and animal life. Look closer to discover an awe-inspiring environment where Tjukurpa whispers the creation stories. At sunrise and sunset, the domes glow and turn a deep shade of red. You can choose from a number of walking trails that range from easy strolls to longer, more difficult tracks. By Stephanie Williams. "screenSet": "Aus-RegistrationLogin", "startScreen": "gigya-update-profile-screen" The ancient red rock formations of Kata Tjuta rise from the dusty land to make an incredible sight in Central Australia. }, Click here to Learn More Learn More From A$ 265. A major sealed highway connects Alice Springs with Darwin and Adelaide; it’s about a 16-hour drive from Alice Springs to either city. "We had these high mountains with granite outcropping and shedding of conglomerates which ended up being the rock type that we see at Kata Tjuta," said Dr Bradshaw. *Product Disclaimer: Tourism Australia is not the owner, operator, advertiser or promoter of the listed products and services. A speedy & convenient shuttle service to Ulu r u and Kata Tju t a. Uluṟu-Kata Tjuṯa National Park is a protected area in the Northern Territory of Australia.The park is home to both Uluru and Kata Tjuta.It is located 1,943 kilometres (1,207 mi) south of Darwin by road and 440 kilometres (270 mi) south-west of Alice Springs along the Stuart and Lasseter Highways. Together, these giant stone formations form the two major landmarks within the Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park. There are many Pitjantjatjara legends associated with Kata Tjuta. Tourism Australia does not endorse or accept any responsibility for the use of websites which are owned or operated by third parties and makes no representation or warranty in relation to the standard, class or fitness for purpose of any services, nor does it endorse or in any respect warrant any products or services by virtue of any information, material or content linked from or to this site. Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park is recognised by UNESCO as a World Heritage Area for both its natural and cultural values. Virgin offers direct flights to Alice Springs from Adelaide and Darwin. Rising 300 metres above the grass-covered plains that surround them, the orange and black sandstone domes known as the Bungle Bungle are one of the world’s most fascinating geological landmarks. While you're here, visit one of the art galleries. Over millions of years, this event created the great big folds visible when you fly over Central Australia today. Sunrise and sunset options available! One of the ways local Aboriginal people share their ancient stories is through art. One tells the story of the great snake king Wanambi who is said to live on the summit of Mount Olga and only comes down during the dry season. { Ayers Rock Resort has options from camping to five-star luxury. If you are already staying at the Uluru (Ayres Rock) resort or camping area the Uluru Sunrise And Sacred Sites Tour is a perfect way to indulge in the cultural significance of the Majestic Rock. 1.5 Day Overnight Uluru and Kata Tjuta Tour (Dingo Dreaming) 3 Day Small Group 4WD Eco Experience Tour; 4 Day 4WD Uluru Red Centre Perentie Dreaming Tour; 6 Day 4WD Uluru Red Centre Desert Dreaming Tour We acknowledge Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the First Australians and Traditional Custodians of the lands where we live, learn, and work. Immerse yourself in Australia's oldest cultures amid spectacular landscapes on this adventurous itinerary, which includes visiting... Tour the ancient landscapes of Central Australia on this iconic Aussie road trip through Alice Springs, Kings Canyon and Uluru. It’s steep in places, but the circuit is worth the effort. Its overseas travel, without the stress! 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"taIdRetryLimit": 3 "profileUpdate": { As to the original Petermann Ranges, you can still see the 'nubs' or 'roots' of this once mighty range today, Dr Bradshaw said. After a long phase of erosion that lasted hundreds of million of years, Uluru and Kata Tjuta eventually emerged from the softer rocks.