Destinations / Uluru Kata Tjuta / Aboriginal Art and Culture

Located in the geographical and spiritual heart of the Australian outback, Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park is a deeply sacred area.

The spiritual significance of Uluru/Ayers Rock and Kata Tjuta/The Olgas to the area’s Aboriginal custodians, the Anangu people, runs deep. The Anangu have inhabited the region for 22,000 years and still carry out aspects of their traditional lives here today. They have a complex system of beliefs known as 'Tjukurpa' (pronounced 'chu-ka-pa') and for which there is no direct English translation that encompasses religion, law and the relationship between people, plants, animals and the landscape.

Make your first stop the Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park's Cultural Centre, where you can get an introduction to the region’s Aboriginal culture through art and craft demonstrations, bush tucker sessions, guided walks and cultural presentations.

Art is a way of life for the Anangu people, the traditional owners of this land, and their painting and carving styles are very distinctive. Opportunities exist to meet the artists on the land that inspires them and invest in some original and truly unique pieces.

There is no shortage of options for travellers who want to get a first-hand experience of the Aboriginal culture of Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park. Travellers can join a cultural tour with a local Anangu guide to find out about their ancestors’ hunting and gathering techniques, hear stories from the Dreamtime and learn about traditional Aboriginal laws and customs.