Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park

Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park (Ayers Rock)
Registration year: 1987, 1994
World Heritage Type: Mixed Heritage
Registration criteria:
It must be an outstanding example of traditional human settlements, land or sea use, or human interaction with the environment that characterises a culture (or cultures), especially when its survival is threatened by irresistible historical forces.
Its direct or tangible association with an event, living tradition, idea, belief, artistic or literary work of outstanding universal value (although this criterion should preferably be used in conjunction with the other criteria).
- It includes a natural phenomenon or area of exceptional natural beauty and aesthetic elements.
- It is a remarkable example representing a major stage in the Earth's history, including a record of the evolution of life, significant ongoing geological processes in the formation of landforms, or significant geological or physiographic features.

Access: From Sydney International Airport, take a domestic flight for about 3 hours and 30 minutes, or from Cairns International Airport, take a domestic flight for about 2 hours and 30 minutes to Ayers Rock Airport. Approximately 25 km from Ayers Rock Airport, about 25 minutes by car.

Discover Uluru (Ayers Rock), the second largest monolith in the world, in Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park

Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park is located in the southern part of the Northern Territory, almost in the center of Australia. Dotted with attractions such as Uluru (Ayers Rock), a gigantic monolith that stands in the desert with a circumference of about 9.4m and a height of about 340m, and Kata Tjuta, a series of 36 large and small oddly shaped rocks, this national park was registered as a World Heritage Site as a natural heritage site in 1987. In 1994, its value as a cultural heritage site that embodies the history and traditions of Australia's indigenous Aboriginal people was also recognized, and it was registered as a mixed heritage site.

Uluru is so impressive that it catches the eye of everyone who visits. It is believed that the huge monolith protruded from the ground after the erosion of a huge mountain range about 600 million years ago, and subsequent crustal movements and further erosion. This monolith was formed from iron-rich sandstone, and its red rock surface is impressive due to the oxidation of the iron. It is a place that is deeply connected to the creation myth of the Aboriginal people, and has been carefully protected as a sacred place since ancient times. Uluru is also well known as Ayers Rock, which was named by a British explorer, but today it is commonly called Uluru, the Aboriginal name, in honor of Aboriginal culture. The name Uluru, which means "center of the world," shows how important this place is to the Aboriginal people.

By the way, Uluru is often referred to as the "world's largest monolith," but the largest in the world is actually Mount Augustus, located in Western Australia. It is surprising that it is about 2.5 times the size of Uluru. However, the scale of Uluru is also overwhelming, and it takes about 3 hours and 30 minutes to 4 hours to walk around the entire circumference of Uluru, which is about 9.4 km. There are many beautiful trails around Uluru, so be sure to experience the scale with your whole body.

The moment when Uluru turns red. Be moved by the mystical sight at sunrise and sunset!

Uluru is said to change into seven colors depending on how the light hits it. If you want to see its beautiful form, the best time is at dusk, when the huge rock face turns a deep red. There are many sunset viewing tours available from Ayers Rock Resort, the base for sightseeing in Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, so be sure to join one.

Another popular activity is the sunrise tour, where the divine morning sun shines on Uluru. If you have time, why not try to compare the sunset and sunrise? The ever-changing colors of the landscape and the unique presence of Uluru will surely create a memory that will last a lifetime.

One of the joys of traveling to Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park is spending a relaxing time at Ayers Rock Resort, which serves as the base for sightseeing at Uluru. The resort, adjacent to the national park, is in an excellent location, about 20km from Uluru, about 50km from Kata Tjuta, and about 6km from Ayers Rock Airport. The resort, which spreads out in the desert, has an oasis-like atmosphere. Although it is small enough that you can walk around it, it is filled with stylish luxury resort hotels, restaurants, shopping zones, and more, allowing you to enjoy an elegant time.

Walk through the beautiful valley of the mysterious rock formations of Kata Tjuta

If you visit Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, you should also visit Kata Tjuta, which means "many heads" in Aboriginal. Kata Tjuta, also known as Mount Olga, is known as a sacred place for Aboriginal people, just like Uluru. 36 huge rock mountains of various sizes are scattered across the vast land of about 3,500 hectares. It is a place where you can enjoy the art of the earth created by the complex topography. One of the most recommended tours is the trekking tour around the Valley of the Winds and Walpa Gorge in Kata Tjuta. You can experience not only the majestic rock formations, but also the animals and plants that live toughly in the harsh environment, and the overwhelming size of the land seen from the observation deck. There are also tours that combine these trekking tours with the sunset at Uluru, so be sure to check them out.

"Uluru" and "Kata Tjuta". The World Heritage Site "Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park" is home to two magnificent sights, and offers an exciting journey that can only be experienced here.

Travel writer/Toru Yoshihara

Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park is a place where you can enjoy sightseeing all year round, but from December to February the daytime high temperature can exceed 40°C, so it's essential to take measures against the sun and drink plenty of water! Also, from June to August it can get very cold in the mornings and evenings, so be sure to take measures against the cold. If you want to enjoy trekking or walking around Uluru and Kata Tjuta, you'll need to wear comfortable walking shoes or trekking shoes!