Kata Tjuta (The Olgas)

Kata Tjuta (The Olgas) is situated within the Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park and located about 30kms from Uluru (Ayers Rock).  Kata Tjuta means ‘many heads’.  It is believed these ‘heads’ were once all one formation, however, through weathering, today Kata-Tjuta is made up of 36 boulders.  These boulders consist of a conglomerate of basalt and granite, cemented by sandstone.  It is this conglomerate that gives the structures their incredible, brilliant colour.

European explorer, Ernest Giles, discovered the area in 1872 and named the mounds, ‘The Olgas’ in honour of Queen Olga who was the daughter of Tsar Nicholas I.  In 1985 when the Federal Government handed the title deeds to the area back to the Anangu people, they renamed the boulders, Kata Tjuta.

Kata Tjuta is sacred to the Anangu Aboriginal people.  It is a place for secret men’s business and considered so sacred the Anangu women will not visit Kata-Tjuta, some will not even look at it.  Non-Aboriginal people are only permitted to walk around four of the 36 boulders with the remaining boulders being restricted to the Anangu men so they can carry out their traditional ceremonies.

As you drive towards Kata Tjuta, there is a viewing platform where you can stop and admire all 36 domes from a distance.  This is the only way you can put all of them in one photo as they cover an area of around 22 square kilometres.  It is interesting to note that the tallest of the domes is 546 metres, some 200 metres taller than the peak of Uluru.

For visitors to Kata Tjuta, there are two available walks.  The first is the Walpa Gorge Walk which is 2.6km and can be completed in around an hour and isn’t too taxing.  This would be like doing an express tour where you don’t have to expend too much energy.  The second option is the Valley of the Winds Walk which is 7.4km and takes around four hours to complete.  This walk is pretty much an all-day option and with all its physical challenges plus factoring in the heat and the flies, you’ll feel like you’re being pushed to your limit.  In for a penny, in for a pound, that is the walk we decided to do.

For the Valley of the Winds walk you need good quality walking shoes.  Having no clue what we were setting ourselves up for, we didn’t pack any.  Our worn-out sneakers with minimal remaining tread were totally inadequate for the irregular, rocky and sometimes steep terrain.  As it had been raining, some parts of the track were completely underwater and so waterproof shoes would have been ideal.  We didn’t pack any of those either so our feet squelched around in heavily soaked joggers.

The walk around the base of Uluru is level and easy underfoot.  Walking around Kata Tjuta is a different experience entirely.  In many sections it is quite steep, in other sections the ‘path’ is made up of loose stones and rocks, some sections are totally underwater, and other parts where the rock is steep and shiny, it can be quite slippery and difficult to get a grip.

As we were there in January, it was also extremely hot.  When the temperature rises about 36C (which is very common in summer), the Valley of the Winds walk is closed.  To avoid disappointment, it is recommended you plan your walk early in the day before the temperature soars.

No matter what time of the year you are there, but especially in summer, you need to have with you plenty of water.  We took two litres each and we thought that would be adequate but it wasn’t.  Fortunately, there are a couple of water stations along the Valley of the Winds walk where you can refill your water bottle.  And don’t forget insect repellant – so many flies!  And bring plenty of sunscreen.  And a hat.

The Aboriginal word for drinking water is Kapi.  There are signs along the walk that state the Anangu people recommend that in order to survive, you must carry and drink water along the walk.  They say to avoid dehydration you need to stop and take a drink every 15 minutes and drink at least one litre of water every hour.

There is an amenities block near the carpark where both walks begin.  It is worth knowing that there are no other bathroom facilities on the walks.  Another challenge of the walk is learning to hold on.

We found Kata Tjuta to be well worth a visit and as this is an area you’re not likely to pass through ever again, we recommend the longer and more challenging walk.  You’ll have a much more heightened, enriching and rewarding experience.

And when you arrive back at your accommodation, you’ve definitely earned that sundowner.

Verdict:  A bucket-list must