Uluru (Ayers Rock)

Uluru has a long and complex history, with archaeological evidence suggesting that the area has been inhabited by Indigenous Australians for at least 30,000 years. The Anangu people have a strong connection with the land and consider Uluru to be a sacred site, with numerous creation stories and cultural traditions associated with the monolith. In 1873, European explorer William Gosse named the rock “Ayers Rock” in honor of Sir Henry Ayers, the then Chief Secretary of South Australia. In 1958, Uluru and the surrounding area were designated as a national park. In 1985, ownership of the land was returned to the Anangu people, who now jointly manage the park with Parks Australia. In 1987, Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List for its natural and cultural values. In 2019, climbing Uluru was officially banned out of respect for the Anangu people and to preserve the site’s cultural and environmental integrity.