Many people come to Uluru to view and photograph the spectacular scenery, but those who glimpse Anangu culture and its ancient wisdom see something more: they experience the living cultural landscape of the Park.
To ensure that visitors have the opportunity to experience Anangu culture, the Traditional Owners ask all visitors to ‘visit the Cultural Centre first’. Entry to the Cultural Centre is included in the Park ticket. Visitors are asked to respect it as a significant cultural site and not to film or photograph inside the complex.
Opened in 1995, the Cultural Centre gives visitors an opportunity to experience Anangu culture first-hand. The aesthetic appeal of the walk from the car park along the meandering sandy pathways to the Cultural Centre ensures that visitors slow down to take stock of where they are and where they are headed. At the end of these winding paths is the Cultural Centre building that is as unique as the culture it represents. The sign welcoming visitors to the Cultural Centre includes the message:
At the Cultural Centre, Anangu presents visitors with first-hand information about Tjukurpa, art, history, languages, wildlife and the joint management of the Park. A collection of displays feature photo collages, oral history sound panels, language interactives, soundscapes, videos and artefacts. Explanations are provided in Pitjantjatjara, English, Italian, Japanese, German and French. A touch wall is also available for visitors who are visually impaired.
By visiting the Cultural Centre first, visitors develop a better understanding of Anangu culture, which means they can then explore the Park with an appreciation of the Park as a very special natural and cultural environment.
The Uluru–Kata Tjuta National Park Cultural Centre
The additional readings in the right-hand column are for those who would like to know more about this topic.
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