The Olgas, Kata Tjuta, Northern Territory

Kata Tjuta is the Aboriginal name for The Olgas and means 'many heads'. The Olgas (Kata Tjuta) is a spectacular group of 36 massive red rock outcrops separated by narrow valleys and covering 35 square kilometres about 50 kilometres from Ayers Rock. The highest is Mount Olga which rises 546 metres above the desert floor. Many visitors find The Olgas even more inspiring than Ayers Rock. There are walks from an hour to five hours through the gorges and around the outcrops, though restrictions apply if it is forecast the temperature will exceed 36 degrees Centigrade. Here too you can learn what makes the formation so important to the Aboriginal people.

The Walpa Gorge Walk takes guests along a windy, stony track that meanders through rare natives and gentle slopes. The Valley of the Winds Walk is the longest track at Kata Tjua, leading visitors through 7.4km of unspoiled trail. While steep, this circuit walk is worth the visit for it's tour of the domes and creek beds. For those seeking reprieve from the crowds, this walk is an excellent solution. If you wish to take a moment to admire the spectacular site, a short walk from the park entrance leads visitors to a viewing area sporting a panoramic view of the outcrops.

Ayers Rock and Mount Olga were originally sediments in a shallow inland sea which dried out and was covered by desert. They were forced through the desert floor by a major upheaval about 300 million years ago and moulded by the wind. The park is a haven for birds including the massive Wedge-tailed eagle, lizards, snakes and 24 known mammals such as dingoes (native dogs) and red kangaroos. Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park is owned by the Anangu Aboriginal people who manage it jointly with Parks Australia. World Heritage listed for its cultural and natural significance, it covers 132,000 hectares (about 330,000 acres). It is open from an hour before sunrise to an hour before sunset daily. There is a National Park Entry fee for each visit.