Uluru (Ayers Rock) facts and guides

Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park is inscribed on the World Heritage List for both its natural and cultural values.

Rising from the broad desert plain in the deep centre of Australia. Uluru/Ayers Rock is Australia's most recognisable natural icon.

The famous "Rock" stands348 metres high and, like an iceberg, has most of its bulk below the surface. It is located 440 kilometres south-west of Alice Springs in the Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park. Forty kilometres to the west of Uluru/Ayers Rock is Kata Tjuta, also known as The Olgas. This massive pile of rock domes dates back 500 million years.

Both Uluru and Kata Tjuta have great aboriginal cultural significance for the Anangu traditional landowners, who lead walking tours that inform about the local flora and fauna, bush foods and the Aboriginal Dreamtime stories of the area.

Watarrka National Park, encompassing Kings Canyon, lies 300 kilometres to the north-east of Uluru and approximately a four hour drive by road. Kings Canyon has 300-metre-high sandstone walls, walking trails, palm-filled crevices and views across the desert.