1 Cairns and District, North Queensland
2 The Gold Coast, Queensland
3 The Great Barrier Reef, Queensland
4 Great Ocean Road, Victoria
5 Kakadu National Park, Northern Territory
6 The Kimberley, Western Australia
7 Blue Mountains, New South Wales
8 Sydney Harbour & Sydney Opera House
9 Tasmania's World Heritage Area
10 Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, Northern Territory
This 1,325-hectare World Heritage Site incorporates two of Australia's most spectacular sights - Uluru, better known as Ayers Rock, and neighbouring Kata Tjuta (The Olgas).
Located at the centre of the continent, Uluru's vast bulk is an extraordinary and overwhelming sight. At 348m high and with a base circumference of some 9km, this is the world's largest monolith - a massive rock which is made even more dramatic by its setting on the monotonous plains of the Red Centre. Uluru was first sighted by Europeans in 1872, but this area has been sacred to the local Aboriginal people for tens of thousands of years. It is possible to climb the rock, but this can be dangerous and the activity is discouraged by Uluru's Aboriginal landowners. Other options are to take a hiking tour of the base, and to view the monolith at sunset, when its normally dark red colour changes dramatically as the light fades.
Although, like Uluru, it is the tip of a vast underground formation, Kata Tjuta, 30km to the west, offers a rather different experience. The name means `many heads' - an appropriate description of the 30 or so massive rocks which make up The Olgas. There are several trails among the formation's gorges and valleys, although most should be undertaken only if you are well prepared. A visit to the Uluru-Kata Tjuta Cultural Centre, just a kilometre from Uluru, is a must. This excellent complex includes displays on Aboriginal culture and history, demonstrations of traditional art and dance, and a shop that sells local arts and crafts. The base for exploring the national park is the well-designed Ayers Rock Resort village.Url: www.deh.gov.au/parks, www.voyages.com.au
Restaurant: Cafés and restaurants in the area (Inexpensive-Moderately priced)
Air: Ayers Rock Resort
Accessible: Few
Admission: Park entry fee: moderate
Other: Watarrka National Park
Practical: Tour and information centre (PHONE: (08) 8957 7324 HOURS: Daily 8am-8:30pm)
Info: Visitors Centre, Ayers Rock Resort (PHONE: (08) 8957 7377 HOURS: Daily 9-5:30)
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