In Australia, almost in its very center, is the Kata Tjuta National Park. It is known primarily for its famous mountains in the desert. Ayers Rock (also known as Uluru) and Kata Tjuta proper (translated as “many heads”, she is also called Olga, in honor of the daughter of Russian Emperor Nicholas I, Princess Olga).
Uluru is a majestic red monolith rising above the surrounding desert at an average of 350 meters (836 meters above sea level). In diameter, the length of this unique formation is about 3100 meters, the width is about 2000 meters.
Uluru and Kata Tjuta on the map
- Geographical coordinates
- Distance from the Australian capital city of Canberra is about 2050 km
- The distance to the nearest airport in Ayers Rock is approximately 20 km.
There is an interesting feature in Uluru: the ability to change its color depending on the time of day. In the morning, the rock has a dark purple color, which gradually turns into fiery red. A little later, the color turns into pink, and by noon it turns completely golden.
Kata Tjuta is located 25 km west of Uluru and exceeds it in size (about 7 by 5.4 km). It looks from space as a heap of giant boulders. According to geologists, both rock formations are connected into a single monolith underground.
Locals, as expected, consider these places sacred. According to legend, in ancient times, snake people lived here in two tribes, who periodically quarreled with each other. And once they met in a decisive battle, as a result of which everyone died. The natives also claim that Uluru is a portal connecting the world of people and the world of spirits.
Climbing the mountain is considered sacrilege by the locals. They themselves, of course, do not climb there, fearing the wrath of the spirits. Although tourists try not to miss the opportunity to conquer this peak. For lifting there are special supports. It hardly looks like a full-fledged staircase, but still they will help you avoid accidents, which, unfortunately, have happened before.
Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park is a desert reserve in the heart of the Australian mainland.
"Uluru-Kata-Tyuta" is located in the southern part of the Northern Territories - one of the subjects of the federation. The park is open all year round and there is an entrance fee. A favorable period to visit is in or during the Australian winter (May - October), when during the day the air does not warm up above + 25 ° C. The protected area is under dual management - the Australian Conservation Service and the Anangu Aboriginal community. Indigenous people lead excursions around the park, telling the story of its creation, about fauna and flora.
At the Uluru-Kata-Tjuta Cultural Center, visitors can learn more about the creation of a protected area, get acquainted with the traditions and life of the natives, and purchase original handmade souvenirs.
Ayers Rock Resort operates within the park. In "Uluru-Kata-Tjuta" there are many routes of different lengths and degrees of difficulty. For example, the main trail leads to Uluru, and if you walk about 7 km along the Valley of the Wind route, you can get to Mount Kata Tjuta. This is the easiest and shortest path with a length of only 2.6 km.
The best time to walk around the park is early in the morning, before a lot of people show up.
The sun at sunset creates an enchanting picture, the rocks begin to glow from brown-gold to soft pink and purple red. The observation decks offer excellent panoramic views. Sitting on a bench, you can relax and enjoy the delights of ever-changing landscapes.
Since this area is sacred to the Aboriginal tribe, the behavior of visitors is strictly regulated. Large monetary fines are provided for any violation of the order.
The national park is located approximately 365 km southwest of Alice Springs and can be reached by road in just 4.5 hours.
Since ancient times, the desert territories of the center of Australia belonged to the Anangu tribe, who were engaged in hunting and gathering here 10 thousand years ago.
Only in 1870 did the first European expeditions visit these places, the participants of which were explorers Ernest Giles and William Christie Goss. In 1872, a telegraph line appeared, and by the end of the year, the first geographical maps of the Uluru-Kata-Tyuta area appeared.
When surveying the territory, Ernest Giles saw Kata Tjuta from the side of the Royal Canyon. He named it Mount Olga in honor of the daughter of the Russian Emperor Nicholas I - Grand Duchess Olga, who was also the wife of Charles I, King of Württemberg. Later, William Goss discovered Uluru, which he named after Sir Henry Ayers, Governor General of South Australia.
The purpose of further research was to determine the possibility of using this area for cattle breeding, since in the late XIX - early XX centuries. settlers from the Old World began to move here. Because of the creation of farms, they had numerous skirmishes with the indigenous people. In order to somehow solve this problem, in 1920 part of the Northern Territories of Australia was given over to the reservation for the Aborigines.
Information about the red mountains in the middle of the desert spread around the globe, and since 1936 tourists began to visit the territory near Kata Tjuta and Uluru. In 1948, a road was laid to Uluru, since the 1950s. bus tours were organized here.
Due to the increasing anthropogenic pressure in 1958, the area with the mountain formations of Kata Tjuta and Uluru was declared a national park. In 1975, the Yulara resort with a small airport was built near Uluru.
In 1976, the Australian Union government returned the rights to the territory of Uluru from Kata Tjuta to the natives inhabiting it, and in 1985 they leased it for 99 years to the Federal Agency for National Parks of the country. In 1987, the Uluru-Kata-Tyuta National Park was included in the UNESCO List of World Heritage Sites, and in 1995. this organization for the preservation of the culture of the Anangu natives and nature, awarded the national park the Picasso gold medal. Every year, about 500,000 people come to Uluru-Kata-Tyuta for excursions and recreation.
Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park is located in the very center of the mainland, it is also called the Red Heart of Australia. 
Most of the protected area is desert.
The geological formations of Kata Tjuta and Uluru are the main attractions of the park.
Animals come to the spring at the foot of Uluru to drink, and numerous caves are hidden at the base of the mountain monolith - a kind of vernissage of rock art...
Ancient petroglyphs depicting the deities anangu Lungkatu - a blue-tongued lizard, Lira - a brown snake, Kalayu - an emu.
The name Uluru - a sandstone monolith - in the Anangu language means "the place where the shadow is." A little to the west lie the rounded rock formations of Kata Tjuta. Australian Aborigines call them "the mountain with many heads." And the highest of the mountains is Olga (1066 m), it is 198 meters higher than Uluru.
After much research, it was possible to find out that Uluru is part of a huge mountain range lying at a depth of up to 6 km.
Kata Tjuta and Uluru, connecting underground, are a single geological formation. They are red in color due to iron oxides, which are part of their rock, formed by coarse-grained gray arkose sandstone, which is formed during the destruction of granites. Also, the rock composition of the monoliths includes feldspar and quartz.
These mountains are sacred to the Anangu tribe. According to one of the legends, Uluru was created by their ancient ancestors, the Tjukuritja. These were not people, but gigantic animals, their traces formed lakes, and giant bodies formed mountains.
About 500,000,000 years ago, the site of the park was the bottom of an ancient sea. Bottom sediments were sand, pebbles, sometimes sandstone. The remains of this ancient sea can be seen in the basin of the drying up drainless salt lake Amadeus. So the landscapes of the park are dunes and sandy plains, covered with rare trees, stunted shrubs and turf grasses. The Musgrave mountain range rises 100 km from the park.
The flora of the national park is made up of 416 plant species. Among them there are rare, characteristic only for the protected area and directly for Australia. Endemics of the park can be found on the mountain formations of Kata Tjuta and Uluru.
The vegetation has adapted to the harsh conditions of the desert savanna, where life depends on irregular rains. Some plants are able to survive fires, and some need them to bloom. After a rainstorm, a thick carpet of ephemeral annuals of the Amaranthaceae (Amaranthaceae), Legumes (Fabaceae), Compositae (Asteraceae) families appears in the park. Many areas are dominated by turf Basedow trio (Triodia basedowii) and prickly trio (Triodiapungens) with a huge root system that prevents the movement of desert sands. Its roots are harvested for resin. They are pre-crushed to separate the resin particles. These particles are then heated until they fuse together in a mold, forming a black resin that the natives use hot for hunting and making tools.
Woody vegetation is represented by thickets of shrubs of malga, or veinless acacia (Acacia apeiga), with wide round leaves, and eucalyptus (Eucalyptus spp.).
The plants of the park play an important role in the life of the natives; for the collection of certain species, whole ceremonies are arranged. Mulga (Acacia apeiga) and oblique eucalyptus (Eucalyptus obliqua) are used to make spearheads, boomerangs and kitchen utensils. Three-lane sansevieria (Sansevieria trifasciata) is indispensable as a disinfectant and for inhalation for coughs and runny nose. Other trees are also actively used, for example, camaldulian eucalyptus (Eucalyptus camaldulensis), duboisia myoporoides (Duboisia myoporoides) and Grevillea Banks (Grevillea banksii).
The habitat of the rare common grasshopper (Ophioglossum vulgatum) in the park is limited to wet areas on monolithic rocks, which are often visited by tourists. Since the first European visited the park, 34 exotic plant species have been discovered here, which is about 6.4% of the entire flora of the protected area. Some of them, such as buffalo grass, or thorny bristle grass (Cenchrus ciliaris), have been used to restore an area prone to erosion.
Fauna, despite the desert nature of the area, is quite diverse. However, there is currently a steady decline in animal species, especially beasts. Thus, out of 46 species of mammals, only 25 have survived in the protected area.
Extinct ones include the kuzu (Trichosurus vulpecula), the hare-like kangaroo (Lagorchestes hirsutus), the rabbit bandicoot (Macrotis lagotis), the kyosh-tailed kangaroo (Bettongia lesueur), the black-footed rock wallaby (Petrogale lateralis), and the bird eyed hen (Leipoa ocellata).
The marsupial comb-tailed mouse (Dasycercus cristicauda) is on the verge of extinction, but it can still be found in a limited area of sandy soils - in a narrow strip of the park from Uluru to the northern border. There are also two species of marsupial moles (Notoryctes), the Australian Ramsey python (Aspidites ramsayi) and the great desert skink (Egernia kintorei).
The park's bat population includes at least seven species that depend on daytime roosting sites inside the caves and faults of Uluru and Kata Tjuta. Most of them find food in the air, flying only 100 meters from the rocks.
The avifauna of the park consists of 178 species of birds. The main feathered inhabitants include the emu (Dromaius novaehollandiae), the black-throated butcher (Cracticus nigrogularis), the buzzard kite (Hamirostra melanosternon), the black-faced swallow-tailed shrike (Artamus cinereus) and the red-chested minted wagtail (Epthianura tricolor).
The park is rich in reptiles: there are 74 species of them. Four species of frogs, such as the coral-toed littoria (Litoria caerulea), are found in large numbers during the rainy season in Uluru and Kata Tjuta.
The Anangu continue to hunt animals in the remote areas of the park and other lands they own. At the same time, hunting for large red kangaroos (Macropus rufus), African great bustards (Ardeotis kori), emus and large lizards such as motley (Varanus varius) and giant monitor lizards (Varanus giganteus) is prohibited.
The main factor in the extinction of about 40% of the native species of Central Australia was the strong pressure from imported animals. Thus, house mice (Mus musculus), one-humped camels (Camelus dromedarius), foxes (Vulpes spp.), cats, dogs and rabbits have spread throughout the park, their density is especially high near Kata Tjuta and Uluru.
It was only after the introduction of a program to control the number of animals that the huge population of rabbits was reduced.
This led to a noticeable restoration of vegetation and a reduction in the number of predators. Camels are responsible for the decline of plant species, especially most succulents such as the dessert kwandong (Santalum acuminatum). The house mouse (Mus musculus) is an active habitat disturber for native rodent species.
In managing the populations of these introduced species, the knowledge and skills of the Anangu trackers have proved invaluable. In addition, park rules prohibit visitors from bringing animals into the specially protected area, with an exception made for guide dogs for blind and deaf visitors. In other cases, special permission is required from
national park authorities
But even taking into account some restrictions that are quite normal for protected areas, the Uluru-Kata Tjuta park has been and remains one of the most mysterious, beautiful and interesting regions on the entire continent.
Why does this significant mountain on the land of the natives bear a completely “Russian” name?
Mount Kata-Tyuta was named Olga in 1872, in honor of the daughter of Russian Emperor Nicholas I, Grand Duchess Olga, at the request of Baron Ferdinand von Müller. The gift was timed to coincide with the celebration of the twenty-fifth wedding anniversary of Olga and her husband, King Charles I of Württemberg. On December 15, 1993, the dual name was officially recognized. As a result, Mount Olga was renamed "Mount Olga / Kata-Tyuta".
In general, the Uluru-Kata Tjuta region is an ideal place for tourists who want to experience the cultural heritage of the Australian Aboriginal people. Here you can visit the cultural center and buy souvenirs, or go hiking, where your guide will be an aborigine.
When visiting the National Park, tourists come to the lands where red-brown mountains grow on a sandy plain, in a charming atmosphere of legends and secrets. Mount Olga is located 32 km from another miracle of Australia - Uluru (Ayers Rock), a monolith that is one of the most gigantic in the world.
The Kata Tjuta complex is recognized as the second local attraction, after Uluru. It is a group of rocks-stones, as if scattered in the middle of the desert. Olga is the most colossal and most southwestern mountain. Its height is 1069 m, and its chemical composition resembles granite. The tourist routes “Valley of the Winds” and “Olga Gorge” pass along Kata-Tyuta.
Photo: Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park
Uluru Kata Tjuta National Park is located 440 km southwest of Alice Springs. The territory of the park, included in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in 1987, covers an area of 2010 sq. km. and includes the famous Mount Uluru, or Ayers Rock, and the Olga Mountains, or Kata Tjuta.
Uluru Rock is perhaps the most recognizable symbol of Australia, its icon and a sacred place for all Australian Aborigines. The world famous sandstone monolith rises to 348 meters.
Kata Tjuta is a sacred place for men, very strong and dangerous, which can only be entered by those who have passed the rite of initiation. The mountain consists of 36 rocks that are over 500 million years old.
The original inhabitants of these places are the natives of the Anangu tribe, who believe that their culture was created at the beginning of time. It is the Anangu people who conduct tours around the territory of the national park, during which they talk about the flora and fauna of these places and the history of the creation of the world. The park is jointly managed by the Aboriginal community and the Northern Territories Park and Wildlife Service. And the main task of such joint work is to preserve the cultural heritage of the Anangu aborigines and the fragile ecosystem in and around the park. Interestingly, UNESCO recognizes both the cultural and natural significance of the park. In 1995, Uluru Kata Tjuta received the Picasso Gold Medal, UNESCO's highest award for outstanding efforts in protecting the park's landscapes and the anangu aboriginal culture.
Europeans first came to these places in the 1870s during the expedition to build the Overland Telegraph Line - that's when Uluru and Kata Tjuta were mapped. In 1872, explorer Ernest Giles saw Kata Tjuta near Kings Canyon and named it Mount Olga, and a year later, another explorer, Gross, saw Uluru, which he named Ayers Rock after Henry Ayers, Secretary General of South Australia. At the end of the 19th century, Europeans tried to develop agriculture in these places, which led to fierce skirmishes with the aboriginal population of the territory. Only in 1920, part of the current park was declared a reserve for the natives, and in 1936 the first tourists appeared here - it was the development of tourism that caused the Europeans to firmly settle near Uluru in the 1940s.
Today, Uluru and Kata Tjuta attract hundreds of thousands of tourists every year. In the late 1970s, it was decided to move all infrastructure outside the park, and in 1975, the Yulara resort and a small airport were built 15 km from Uluru. There are many trails in the park itself. For example, the Main Trail is the best way to see the great Uluru. And the trail "Valley of the Winds" leads to Mount Kata-Tyuta. There are two observation decks on it, from which incredible views open. In the Cultural Center you can get acquainted with the history, art, life and traditions of the Anangu and Tyakurpa tribes, as well as buy handmade souvenirs.
Australia is a corner of virgin nature. She least of all experienced the influence of civilization, and all thanks to the special policy of the Australian government, which cares about the preservation of Australian nature. Australia has many national parks and reserves. These wonderful natural monuments never cease to delight, amaze and delight tourists. Let's talk about some of the most famous national parks. We will not delve into the list of names, but rather we will tell you in more detail about the features of the most popular parks.
This park is located in the northern tropical part of the Australian continent. Like Australia itself, Kakadu Park is huge. Stretching over 100 km wide, it extends 200 km deep into the continent. The indigenous people of these places - the natives fought for their territories and, in the end, they won. In 1976, the Aborigines secured the return of their ancestral lands from the Australian government. Kakadu has been declared a world heritage site and leased as a national park for the benefit of the entire population of the Australian state.
The nature of Kakadu is amazing. There are over forty species of fauna that are currently endangered. It is also the largest bird habitat in the southern hemisphere. Kakadu Park - the place where they live saltwater crocodiles.
It is this species of crocodiles that is the largest on earth, can reach seven meters in length.
Despite colonization, the natives retained their language and culture. Since time immemorial, people have imprinted their history and myths on the rocks. Rock paintings and drawings are the oldest works of fine art in the world. Younger examples of rock art testify to the contact of cultures.
Some of the drawings depict sailing boats that once brought buffalo hunters here.
According to the latest archaeological research, human presence in Kakadu dates back about 50,000 years. On the surface of ancient sheer cliffs, we find the legacy of one of the oldest cultures in the world. Deep hollows in the rock are thousand-year-old traces left after grinding grain and ocher. Often, drawings can be seen in very hard-to-reach places, for example, on a sheer cliff, high from the ground. According to the beliefs of the natives, drawings in such places appear thanks to the spirits of Mimi, it is they who draw them. A special place in the culture of the aborigines is occupied by fire, which symbolizes renewal. It has always been part of the Kakadu ecosystem.
Famous landmark of Kakadu National Park Jim-Jim waterfall.
After heavy rains, Jim-Jim Falls turns into a roaring mountain stream. The natives of this area willingly share their culture with anyone who follows the principle: "Leave behind only your footprints, and take only your memories."
More than two thousand kilometers from the ocean and the coast, covered with dense thickets, is the Uluru National Park. This is practically the very center of the Australian bush, where the sun mercilessly burns out all life - the reservoirs dry up, as rains are rare here. Animal life here is complex and has become a constant struggle for survival.
Uluru has one attraction on its territory that overshadows other national parks in Australia.
The attention of tourists is attracted by the gigantic sandstone monolith, towering 348 meters. It is taller than the Eiffel Tower. However, what you can see is just the tip of the iceberg. The main part of the rock goes deep into 6 thousand meters. Already because of its size, Uluru is considered a wonder of the world, but for Anyagu, the natives living here, Uluru is a sacred place. Uluru is now a World Heritage Site.
In the blue mountains, hundreds of kilometers west of Sydney, Australian nature opens up in all its splendor. The Blue Mountains are part of the Great Dividing Range, which stretches for 4,000 kilometers along the coastline. The Blue Mountains got their name from the bluish haze produced by the ethereal vapors of the eucalyptus trees. It is impossible to believe your eyes, the landscapes here are so diverse: here are sheer cliffs, and a tropical forest, and swamps, and green valleys. It is impossible to do without the help of a knowledgeable person here: the terrain is so unpredictable and difficult, therefore, when setting off on a journey, you need to take care of a good guide.
The greenery here is growing by leaps and bounds, and all thanks to the special climatic conditions that are observed in the park.
For example, you can walk in the forest between huge ferns and feel the full power of Australian nature. It is quite tiring to move around on foot here, so it makes sense to resort to the means of civilization, namely to go to Katumbi, where the cable car was built.
cable car located at a high altitude - 300 meters, and from here a stunning view of the Australian nature opens.
If after the cable car you feel that you have not experienced enough thrills, then you can take a trip deep into the Green Valley. Plants here are desperately fighting for every ray of sunlight.
If you're lucky you can see here wallaby- representatives of the kangaroo family, which are several times smaller than their relatives .. Parrots fly everywhere.
And that's not all, there are at least a dozen more national parks in Australia. Among them, it is worth noting woollemy park. The most ancient species of pine was found there, and a cave with many rock paintings was discovered.
Yengo National Park became famous for the fact that the prints of many hands were found on the rock, which were presumably made by the natives.
It should be mentioned as the most picturesque of all Australian national parks. This is truly a paradise on earth.
From Leamington Park you can go to springbrook park, which is located in the neighborhood to go through the amazing miraculous bridge.
The choice is yours, but Australian national parks are perhaps the most amazing places in the world.
