Deals > Explore > Uluru-Kata Tjuta > Nature
Wildlife
The Uluru-Kata Tjuta region contains a number of the world's most unique desert fauna. It is home to rare species such as the marsupial mole, burrowing frog, the mulgara and the spinifex hopping mouse. Red kangaroos, dingoes, honey ants and an assortment of reptiles also inhabit the rock holes and gorges of the region.
Environment
The Uluru-Kata Tjuta region enjoys clear, bright and sunny days for most of the year, however, temperatures vary greatly throughout the day depending on the seasons. In January, average daily maximums reach 37.8 Celsius and minimums 22.3 Celsius. In June, the average daily maximum is 20.2 Celsius with average nightly minimums of 4.7 Celsius.
Plant life
The Uluru-Kata Tjuta region is home to fascinating native plants that have adapted to survive the desert conditions. Desert oak, red river gums, spinifex and spear grasses and the witchetty bush - home of the famous Aboriginal bush tucker the witchetty grub, are some of the region's most unique flora species.
Skies
Celebrate sunrise and sunset basking in a rainbow of colours. Each morning and afternoon sunlight bathes the wide open desert landscapes with shimmering golds, brilliant purples, vivid reds and burnt oranges. In the evenings, the heavens transform as the velvety night sky is lit up by a million stars.
Ayers Rock Observatory
Ayers Rock Observatory, in Yulara, allows visitors to take advantage of the clear, outback night sky. Stargazers are guided by professional astronomers through the wonders of the Southern constellations, local celestial attractions, recent scientific discoveries and an interpretation of local indigenous astronomy. Book through Discovery Ecotours.
While the Central Australian environment may at first seem stark - a barren landscape supporting spectacular rock formations - closer inspection reveals it as a complex ecosystem, full of life.
Plant and animal life have adapted to the area's extreme conditions and it subsequently supports some of the most unique flora and fauna on the planet. Many of these have long been a valuable source of bush tucker and medicine for local Aboriginal people who recognise six seasons:
- Piryakatu (August/September)
- Animals breed and food plants flower - Wiyaringkupai (October/November)
- The really hot season when food becomes scarce - Itanju- (January/February)
- Sporadic storms can roll in suddenly - Wanitjunkupai (March)
- Cooler weather - Tjuntalpa (April/May)
- Clouds roll in from the south - Wari (June/July)
- Cold season bringing morning frosts
From a geological point of view, analysis of Uluru-Kata Tjuta and Watarrka National Parks reveals an awe-inspiring history. 500 million years ago, the entire area was covered by an inland sea and over many centuries, sand and mud fell to the bottom of the sea, creating rock and sandstone.
Kata Tjuta's domes are the eroded remains of sedimentary rock from the seabed, while Uluru is a relic of the coarse grained, mineral-rich sandstone called 'arkose'.
Kings Canyon, 300 kilometres north-east of Uluru in Watarrka National Park, is part of the George Gill Ranges, towering 270 metres above Kings Creek.
Its ancient environment has been carved by enormous inland lakes and was once covered in tropical woodlands, some of which remain in the Garden of Eden on the canyon floor. Cycad ferns dating back to the time of the dinosaurs continue to thrive here, along with hundreds of species of other plant life.
