Uluru National Park (Ayers Rock) Warnings and Dangers

If you are a serious photographer, or just want to enjoy a good position where people are not constantly walking in front of you for the sunrise or sunset, then I would highly recommend getting to the Uluru viewing stations early!!

As you can see in the picture, there are plenty of people that are there 30 minutes before the daylight even totally breaks!

As a general rule, the tour groups head out 90 minutes before sunlight, so if you get on the road about 60 minutes ahead of time, you should be able to park properly before the bus' get everyone ready and loaded and make it over there.

Well, let me give you the full story from both sides, so you can make your decision.

1 - It is not illegal or immoral to climb to the top of Uluru. Even the Aboriginal people do not forbid it, they just ask politely for you not to.

2 - The reason the Aboriginal people ask you not to climb is not because it is a sacred site per se, it is just that they would feel sadness for you, your family and for themselves for allowing you to climb the rock in case you fell off and joined the 30+ people who have died on the rock's property. (Many more have died as a result of their rock experiences, via heartattack, stroke, or other physical exertion).

3 - There is really nothing to see at the top. After all, the things you want to see and experience are much better on the ground around the base of the rock. On top, there is nothing but a view of the Outback. On the ground you can see paintings, watering holes, rock formations, and sometimes waterfalls!

After all this, make an educated decision, its your choice.

Sarah and I chose to respect the wishes of the traditional land owners of this property, so we did not climb!

Nganana Tatintja Wiya - 'We Never Climb'

Lots of visitors go to Uluru to climb the rock, but resist the temptation and do one of the many walks around the bottom instead. Uluru is a sacred sight for the Aborigines and there are signs everywhere asking people to respect this and not to climb, but people still take no notice. We did take notice and didn't climb, and don't feel we missed out in the slightest. Besides which the Climb is closed on many days due to winds, rain, high temperatures etc.
So come on peeps, show a bit of respect.

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One of the advantages of Curtin Springs is the presence of the wild life of Australia that proves to be so elusive on and around Ayer’s Rock. For a quick preview, the courteous owners have provided the visitors with a snap-shot of birdlife of any size that otherwise would roam the continent so inconspicuously that one might never see it. The biggest attraction is her majesty the EMU, presumably because size matters. Moreover, she is free and the others are stuck in the cages to sing and shout as much as they can. Most important lesson for the Uluru authorities and a top-on-the-wish-list item for the tourists is that emus and kangaroos should be hopping all around the Rock to give it more authenticity and charm.

Sunset at Uluru is supposed to be a surreal experience. It was for me, but not in the expected way -- after all, clouds deflected the setting sunlight away from the rock and all we got to see was a shaded monolith gradually go dark (apparently I was to blame for climbing the rock in the first place). Instead, it was interesting and a bit disturbing to watch tour bus after tour bus pile into our parking lot and set up camp for the sunset. If you expected solitude in the middle of this vast empty continent called Australia, you must have breathed too many tour bus fumes. At least 1500 people watch sunset every night, so don't be surprised.

As mentioned on my Australia page, there are no non-biting insects in the world more annoying than the buzzing, moisture-obsessed Australian Black Flies. Usually, there aren't too many of them in the winter at Uluru, which is bad news for you summer visitors since they were still very annoying in May. This couple was smart enough to purchase netting to keep the flies away from the nose, mouth and eyes -- their (the flies) favorite places.

There is a walkway and rail to climb but id ask people not to as its offensive. This place is sacred. Me and my friends walked around it and i think this is just as amazing. Show respect while you are here.

When you enter Uluru-Kata Tjuta, you'll be purchasing a park entry ticket. Much like a passport, you'll need to keep this ticket with you and close at hand. There are supposedly "snap inspections" by park rangers, although we didn't face any.

What you WILL need is your ticket anytime you go into or out of the park area...and you do this a lot as you travel (for example) between Uluru, your campsite, the Olgas, the Valley of the Winds, etc. You don't want to get caught outside without your ticket, as it may cost you another $25 Aussie dollars to get back in.