Is it possible to climb ayers rock

The most serene is cycling; hire a bike from the mobile truck at the Cultural Centre and pedal to spots like the Mutitjulu Waterhole , one of the few permanent water sources in the area.

If your legs don't offer enough power, jump on a Segway , motorized trike or Harley Davidson for a sunrise or sunset spin around the rock. It's possible to see both Uluru and the domed formations of nearby Kata Tjuta by plane, or for an added thrill, by helicopter. Those needing an extra adrenaline rush can rock the sky with Skydive Uluru. The company offers dives from 10, or 12, feet — the latter with a longer free-fall period — for spectacular views of "The Red Centre" of Australia.

A lot of time and energy goes into seeing Uluru at sunrise or sunset. But here, darkness doesn't always signal sleep. Photo buffs can learn the art of astrophotography from award-winning photographers.

And, a four-night workshop gives after-hours access to the park. Those content to keep their cameras focused on earth will appreciate the many ways to experience artist Bruce Munro's internationally-acclaimed Field of Light display, where 50, glass spheres come alive after dark. Skip Navigation. Climbing is banned, but there's plenty to do during a visit to Uluru.

The climbing ban was marked by a ceremony by the Anangu, the original owners of the land that is now part of Uluru-Kata-Tjuta National Park. Our people have always shown respect when visiting this place. They would camp a short distance away and walk in quietly. It is the same now. It is the same for you. Hold in your heart the knowledge that this is a special place.

Walk quietly, tread lightly. Other messages describe the possibility of a deeper encounter with the landscape than simply marveling at scenic splendor. What has he got? Another photo to take home, keep part of Uluru. He should get another lens—see straight inside. He would see that Kuniya [sand-python creation being] living right inside there as from the beginning.

He might throw his camera away then. Another step taken by Parks Australia was to insist that all tour guides complete an accreditation course developed by Charles Darwin University.

In particular this requirement ensures that non-Aboriginal guides tell Aboriginal origin stories correctly. In Aboriginal life, sacred stories are not just narrative accounts of something that happened once. Country is like a family member. If the story is wrong, country suffers. When country suffers, people suffer. The park guides for our group were enthusiastically on board with this emphasis on accuracy and were eager to help us engage with Anangu stories and philosophy.

Each time we arrived at the national park, they gave a greeting in the local Pitjantjatjara language, which serves not just to welcome visitors but also to announce to the land that outsiders are entering it. Rather than simply encourage visitors not to climb, park management cleverly provided a way for them to feel they have contributed something by their decision.

At one time climbers who summitted Ayers Rock could record their achievement in a visitors book at the top. The book enables visitors to see their decision as an active endorsement of Aboriginal values, rather than a passive abstention.

Signing becomes a record of a different kind of achievement. One unexpected response to the gradually developing perception of Uluru as a sacred site has been the return of the rock itself—or, rather, bits of it.

For years visitors have purloined pieces of Uluru as souvenirs. As awareness of Aboriginal beliefs began to become more widespread in Australian society, people started sending the rocks back. Almost daily, national park staff received packages of rocks from all over the world with messages of regret. The heaviest piece returned so far weighs 70 pounds. Some letter writers claimed to have been cursed with bad luck since taking rocks home, but most simply said that they recognized what they or relatives from decades earlier did was wrong.

We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of country throughout Australia and recognise their continuing connection to land, waters and culture. We pay our respects to their Elders past, present and emerging. Things to do. Cultural Centre. Plan your trip. Buy your pass. When to come. Getting here.