What to do with dogs in the Red center??

Hi there Coyote, last time I was there they were talking about banning climbing the rock as it's aboriginal land and is on the protective list. Dont know how true this is as I havnt been back there since. We camped at the resort, beatiful green grass and bbq's etc and there were people there that had dogs including myself, (not sure if still allowed) also used a doggy bag and use to walk myn away from the campsite towards the scrub to do what he had to do. When we went there was always some body sitting at the bottom of the rock while there friends/ partners etc climbed and there was many people hanging on to a lead. There was some tied to bullars (my dog included) with a bowl of water under the truck for there fury friends to drink so they were in the shade,I would not leave them in the vehicle even with windows down. Regards Steve M

I climbed it last week for the second time in 3 years (Stupid Ba$tard I am, Its a bit like child birth I guess I forgot how much effort it was the first time)
Anyway its a 3 hour round trip taking it easy with stops as long as the rock isn't closed due to rain, hot temp, wind etc as it is closed a very short notice.
(Make sure you take plenty of water on the climb)

Can't help with the dog issue but suggest you ring the camp ground and ask if they take them there.
Also the Rock / Olga's area is a National Park, It was handed back to the Black fellas in the 80's and leased back from them as a N.P. and is managed under consultation with the traditional owners.

Cheers

Try Rangeview Pet Resort Alice Springs.
It will mean leaving your dogs in Alice but there realy isnt many options unless you know someone here who can mind them.
Id love to help but my dogs would love a feed of beagles!
Cheers

On the question you raised, Hairy's reply is the most sensible, unless you can phone a friend in Alice who will do it for nothing.

Even taking dogs into National Parks is generally not allowed and I am 99% certain this is the case in Uluru Kata Tjuta - ie. not even in your vehicle is allowed.

You could always leave it at Mutitjulu - there are more dogs there than people.

On some of the off topic stuff in this thread:

It is Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park and whilst the park is owned by traditional owners it is managed by the anachronistic Parks Australia - part of the Federal Department of Environment and Heritage.

Climbing the rock is one of those challenging questions - clearly the tourism industry of the rock lists this as a major activity of the area and without it, many might be turned off.

The traditional owners have for years "requested" people don't climb the rock because of it's cultural significance - the climb that is, not just the rock.

However, they do allow people to climb the rock except:
* when adverse weather (read heat, rain, wind) threatens
* when a rescue is taking place
* when there is some cultural reason - funerals, ceremonies etc.

In practice this results in the closing of the climb frequently and with no notice except when you get there.

I sense some increasing realisation that the current limitations in other areas (sunrise viewing location, for instance) might need revisiting - I recall hearing recently that they are planning considerable development, so I doubt whether anyone is thinking of closing the climb.

The restrictions in the park (also at Kata Tjuta) always seem to get ambiguous responses from the indigenous people up there that I know, but they are enforced rigorously by the Parks Australia managers.

Whilst, as a photographer and tourism operator, and as much as I would love to have free rein over what and how I photographed and where I took photographers, reality is that some indigenous people may have a problem with that, and as absurd as it seems - and as absurd as many indigenous people find the restrictions, we just have to live with that.

The entry fee at Kakadu was removed recently - hopefully the $25 per head fee at Uluru might also be revisited too.

Ciao for now
Andrew.

G'Day mate,

I live in Darwin now, but I was a tour guide at the rock for a couple of years. You can definately take your dogs in and around both Ayers rock and the Olga's. Leaving your dogs at the base of the rock tied to your car with some water is very normal. But you will have trouble at the canyon, as they don't allow dogs anywhere around there.

hope this helps,

regards tim.