Uluru Kata Tjuta Australia

ULURU KATA TJUTA AUSTRALIA / MOUNT OGLA AUSTRALIA

Located in Australia, Kata Tjuta is a group of large rock formations, also known as the Olgas. The ancient rock formations that rise from the dust and the spectacular view of rocks when they appear as they are changing colors are truly worthy of your time.

NAME

The name Kata Tjuta means ‘many heads’ in Pitjantjatjara (the language of the owners/locals), first, it was named ‘MOUNT OLGA’ in honor of Queen Olga by Ernest Giles in 1872, after the adoption of the dual naming policy on 15 December 1993, it was renamed as Mount Olga/Kata Tjuta (traditional name/English name), after a request from the Regional Tourism Association, the name was officially reversed on 6 November 2002 as Kata Tjuta/Mount Olga.

GEOLOGY

The Kata Tjuta region lies in a basin – Amadeus Basin, a basin formed roughly 850 to 800 million years ago, Kata Tjuta has a composition similar to granite and scientists have given it an age of 600 million years. The 36 domes of Kata Tjuta cover an area of 8.37 sq mi and the highest dome – Mount Olga is 1,791 ft above the surrounding plain.

ANANGU PEOPLE

People who are the aboriginal owners of the Kata Tjuta as they have inhabited the area for more than 22,000 years, the Kata Tjuta are a sacred place for them that creates a spiritual focus in their life.

LEGENDS

There are many legends about this place, some of them talk about the great snake king Wanambi, who lives on the peak of Kata Tjuta and comes down during the dry season. The snake king is said to have the ability to transform a breeze into a hurricane by his breath, he uses this power to punish those who did evil deeds.
The majority of Mythology is not disclosed to outsiders, the Anangu people have a belief that the Kata Tjuta rocks are home to spirit energy and the site is being used once again for cultural and traditional ceremonies since 1995.

TO REACH THERE

Take a flight to Alice Springs, after that the site is at a distance of 280 miles/450 kilometers southwest of Alice Springs. Qantas has direct flights from major cities of Australia to Alice Springs.

THINGS TO DO

HELICOPTER FLIGHT

Take a helicopter flight over Kata Tjuta to understand the true scale of it as some parts of the site are either sacred or inaccessible, a helicopter flight will give you an experience and view of the whole formation.

WALKING TRAILS

You can choose between different walking trails that are made for all, you can choose from a range that goes from easy strolls to longer and difficult tracks, the Walpa Gorge Walk of 2.6 kilometers is one of the shortest and easiest, then we have Valley of the Winds Walk of 7.4 kilometers, the longest track that is also steep in places but it will be worth the effort. The walks are closed when the temperature reaches 36˚C during summer it is very common.

ABORIGINAL ART GALLERIES

There are the Walkatjara Art Centre and Maruku arts where you can join a workshop or take a tour to understand the history of the local aboriginal people as well as the site

SPEND THE NIGHT NEAR THE SITE

You cannot camp or stay in the park or around the site but you can stay at nearby places that lie on the park’s borders, various resorts offer different options and a variety of experiences from where you can see the view of the Kata Tjuta during sunset and in the night, the experience and memories will make you experience it again and again.

And after watching the rock formations of Kata Tjuta, you will rethink the legends and will share your experience with your near and dear ones for sure because the site is amazing and wholesome in its own way, on top that its importance for the aboriginal people makes it more magical and wonderful. The Kata Tjuta is a destination of dreams for wildlife lovers and historians as well as geologists, so no matter what your major subject is, the Kata Tjuta will enchant you with its aura for sure.

What do you think about these amazing rock formations? Do let us know in the comments.
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“Kata Tjuta Australia” Written by Muba Noor

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