Climbing Uluru

The Traditional owners ask that people don't climb the Rock, it's one of their sacred sites, you probably wouldn't want to, same as you probably haven't climbed the Sydney Opera House !
tim

I've heard many different stories about not climbing Uluru, but the one that I have been told is true is that the Traditional Owners ask that people don't climb more for the climbers own safety than simply the fact that it is a Sacred Site - much the same as people discourage someone from driving up Widow Maker Hills and the like because of the danger...

I've heard many different stories about not climbing Uluru, but the one that I have been told is true is that the Traditional Owners ask that people don't climb more for the climbers own safety than simply the fact that it is a Sacred Site - much the same as people discourage someone from driving up Widow Maker Hills and the like because of the danger...

Hi Tim,

Yes, I have been to Uluru a couple of times. It is an awsome place!

Tom.

Paul, I've heard a similar rumour but with 2002 being a huge year out there I think the pressure to reconsider this proposal has been brought to bare........besides if the tradional owners didn't want you to climb it they should've removed the first section of chains, some time ago this would've put a few people off.

Uluru can still be climbed. 1000's of OS tourists go up each week. Its worth it!
FREE Camping can be found on the left about 25k? short of Yulara, this is also a good spot to pick up 2 days of a a 3 day pass (only one full day is needed for a good look at just Uluru) Make sure it is for the same vehicle type.
PS Only Telsra mobile works there if you want to call anybody.

Only rumours! If you haven't been there before, you have to climb it, but take lots of care & water with you on the climb. DON'T miss the Olgas, they are better in my opinion. A great place to camp, cheap & friendly is Curtin Springs, approx. 80k's before Yulara.

Paul, I was at Uluru 3 weeks ago. I spent 2 nights there, walked around it, climbed it and did a helicopter ride. I am also a supporter of reconcilliation. The walk around took 3.5 hours and was hard work due to the heat. There were some interesting areas including a small water fall but it was generally a lot of walking - about 9.5km. In the cooler months it may be more enjoyable. There were less than a dozen people walking around. If the forecasted temperature is above 38C then the clinb gets closed at 8am. So we started the climb at about 6.30am along with in excess of 200 people - almost all tourists. It took 2.5 hours with a generous 45mins at the top. It was certainly the highlight. Quite physically demanding. We thought long and hard about climbing it or not. There is no climbing of the Olgas so the Land Owners could easily remove the chains and ban climbing of Uluru. They choose not to do this but they have a lot of signs up saying that tourists should choose not to climb it and respect their wishes. If they were serious, they would just close the climb like they do most days after 8am during the summer months when it is hot. Speaking to the German, American. Japanese and other tourists, a lot of them planned a trip to Australia with the intention of climbing Uluru ( along with smimming at Bondi Beach and going shopping in the Burke St Mall). I believe the decision to keep the climb open is a purely financial decision, otherwise they would have closed the climb when the land was handed back to it's rightful owners in the 1980's.

I think that if you go to Ayres Rock you have to climb it. Don't rush it but treat it with respect as several people have died trying to climb it. If you have a heart condition don't even consider it. When I was there several years ago we stayed at Curtain Springs and travelled to the rock and olgas. It was cheaper as we had 3 kids and 2 adults. Bought a pass with 2 days remaining for $5.00ea. Kids are free. Don't miss Kings Canyon, the 4 hour rim walk is a must