Uluṟu climb to close in 2019
Today, in a historic decision, the Uluṟu-Kata Tjuṯa National Park Board of Management decided they will close the climb to the top of Uluṟu on 26 October 2019.
The Board is made up of a majority of Traditional Owners of the park. In 2010 the Board released its management plan indicating it would close the climb if three conditions were met:
- That the Board, in consultation with the tourism industry, is satisfied that adequate new visitor experiences have been successfully established, or
- The proportion of visitors climbing falls below 20 per cent, or
- The cultural and natural experiences on offer are the critical factors when visitors make their decisions to visit the park.
Today the Board has decided these three criteria have been met. Parks Australia both respects and supports the wishes of the park’s Traditional Owners.
The date of 26 October is significant to the park’s Traditional Owners, as it was the date in 1985 the park was handed back to them.
In 2010 the Board committed to giving the tourism industry at least 18 months’ notice to adjust any itineraries or marketing strategies. With their decision to close on 26 October 2019, people can continue to climb if they choose and it is safe to do so, for the next two years if they wish.
