For schools

To enhance your students’ experience of the park we’ve developed three activities you can choose to do while in the park. Our rangers give your students the chance to explore this dual World-Heritage listed national park.

Introduction to Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park at the Cultural Centre

Join a ranger at the Cultural Centre for an informative talk about the park. Learn about Anangu culture and the unique desert environment, the history of the park, joint management between Anangu and Parks Australia, Tjukurpa – the foundation of Anangu knowledge and culture and why Anangu and the park ask visitors not to climb.

Maximum 40 students, one hour

Cultural elements at the Cultural Centre

Spend an hour or more with your students in our purpose built Cultural Centre. One of our rangers will explore the park’s Indigenous culture and history. Your students will learn how Uluru and Kata Tjuta are Aboriginal land and are jointly managed by their traditional owners and Parks Australia. Your students will learn about Tjukurpa (traditional law and creation) and how it guides that management. Your students will come away with a sense of awe and respect for the traditions of this very special place. It’s a great introduction to the park and its people.

Maximum 40 students, one hour

Ranger-guided Mala Walk

You can choose a longer program that also takes in a ranger-guided Mala Walk. This all access walk takes your students along the base of the rock, stopping to tell the story of the mala (rufous-hare wallby people). Learn about traditional Anangu culture, rock art and how the park is managed.

Maximum 30 students, two hours

These activities will be available from 1 July 2015. There is a minimum charge for each activity to cover the cost. To discuss a programme for your school simply email uluru.education@environment.gov.au or call one of our visitor services officers on 08 8956 1128. These activities are only available to groups visiting the park on Monday to Friday and are unfortunately not available on weekends. Our staff can provide information on alternative tours available on request. Your school’s activity must be booked prior to arrival.

To apply for park entry and book your activity go to the web form below.

We have introduced a fee for service for educational activities for school groups from 1 July 2015. Please CC any communications regarding park entry approvals to uluru.education@environment.gov.au.

Can I still apply for an entry fee exemption? How do I apply for park entry approval?

Schools can apply using the form below.

Which schools qualify for park entry?

To be successful schools should:

• Be from Australian primary or secondary schools.
• Provide an itinerary of their intended activities within the park.
• Pay the fee if they participate in an educational activity.
• Encourage their school to ensure their educational messages reflect the values of the park (best way is to participate in an educational activity).

Tertiary education (TAFE or University) groups are not eligible for free park entry. They must pay the entry fee and if they want a private, ranger-delivered presentation pay for the cost per student.

What education activities do you offer, and how much are they?

Schools can choose from the following educational activities:

Ranger-guided Mala Walk

• Two hours, minimum cost of $112 up to 13 students. $8.00 for every additional student
• Enjoy the Ranger-guided Mala Walk and learn about the Mala Tjukurpa (creation story), rock art, geology, flora and fauna.
• This easy 2 km walk will take students along the base of Uluru, stopping at a number of interesting sites to share information about culture, rock art, water, flora and fauna.
• Meeting place: Mala Carpark

Introduction to Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park

• One hour, minimum cost of $77 up to 13 students. ($5.77 for every additional student)
• Join a park ranger to learn about the history of the park, including western impact on Anangu society. We discuss how Anangu and Parks Australia work together to manage the park, and why we ask people not to climb.
• Meeting place: Cultural Centre

Cultural elements

• Learn about the elements of Anangu culture, including Tjukurpa (traditional law), mai (bush tucker) and waru (fire). Which are most important, how do they assist Anangu in daily life, and how are they connected?
• Meeting Place: Cultural Centre

Which education activities the most important, how do they assist Anangu in daily life, how are they connected, and what is the impact on them from western society?

This information is available on our fact sheet our website at: https://www.awe.gov.au/parks-heritage/national-parks/uluru/education/schools

Why are we charging for school education programmes?

To ensure we can continue to provide quality educational activities to visiting schools, we introduced a small charge per student. This small fee will help cover the staff and resource costs of delivering this activity. It will also support the park to invest in the development of our educational programmes into the future.

Does the school have to do an education activity to receive park entry approval?

Schools are not required to do an education activity to apply for free park entry. However we do encourage schools to participate in an education activity to ensure their students receive the right messages about Tjukurpa, the park’s natural and cultural values and safety during their visit.

What days of the week and times can schools book in for education activities?

On weekdays (Monday to Friday) at 8.30 am, 11 am, 1 pm, 2 pm and 3 pm. Bookings must be made through the form below.

Are there any restrictions on numbers?

Yes. Activities are restricted to 40 students and a private ranger-led Mala Walk, Kuniya and Liru Walk to 30 students (unlimited number of teachers/supervisors). If the school has more students than this they will have to book two sessions.

When are schools charged their fees?

The schools will be notified on receipt of their application what the fee for their group will be. Schools will be issued with a tax invoice which they can pay via direct deposit or credit card. Fee must be paid at least 14 days prior to their coming to the park.  

What are the steps for schools to follow?

1. Go to the website https://www.awe.gov.au/parks-heritage/national-parks/uluru/education/schools
2. Complete the form.
3. On receipt of the form, visitor and tourism services staff will contact the school about the suitability of the requested dates and advise the charge.
4. The park will then send the school an education pack including key interpretive messages, to encourage teachers, students and parents to talk about their forthcoming visit to the park and what it might mean to them.
5. Visitor and tourism services staff will ensure the entry station is alerted when a school group is visiting.

Which schools are exempt from the education activity charges?

Local schools located in the APY lands and Yulara Primary, Nyangatjatjara College, Mutitjulu Primary, Yirara College are exempt from these charges.

What if the school cancels?

Payment must be received at least 14 days before their visit. A minimum of 24 hours notification is required for all cancellations and a full refund will be provided if a school cancels. Park must be notified of a cancellation in writing to uluru.education@environment.gov.au or by calling 8956 1128. Refunds will not be provided if the school doesn’t show up for the activity or when notification is not received within 24 hours of the booking.

What if a school wants to make a complaint about the new arrangements?

If schools wish to complain, please advise them to put their complaint in writing to the park manager via uluru.education@environment.gov.au.

Will other education activities be offered in the future?

Depending on resourcing, other education activities may be made available in the future.

Can groups other than schools book and pay for an education activity?

Yes, if it doesn’t clash with an existing booking and staff are available. Please get them to contact uluru.education@environment.gov.au in the first instance.

• We encourage you to view our website for visitors.
• Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park has a visitor guide app you might want to download to help plan your visit. It is available here.  You’ll also find maps, audio tours and other materials on this page that will help with your planning.
• We also suggest you look at information on how to keep you and your students safe in the park.

In addition to the activity you have selected, it may take an hour for students to explore the Cultural Centre on their own - so you may want to allow for this in your itinerary. The Cultural Centre is an important introduction to the culture of Anangu (the traditional owners) with displays on Tjukurpa and the natural and cultural environment.

The centre presents other important information, such as the reasons why Anangu ask visitors to respect culture and not climb Uluru, and what is appropriate behaviour while visiting Anangu land and the park.

The Cultural Centre also supports Aboriginal owned business including Uluru Aboriginal Tours and Maruku Arts as well as Ininti Café. The café offers a large range of meals, drinks and souvenirs. Large groups who require catering are encouraged to contact Ininti Café on 08 8956 2214 to arrange in advance. The café is currently open from 7.00 am to 5.00 pm.

The cafe is closed Christmas Day, New Year’s Day and 30 June.

The Cultural Centre also contains many Aboriginal paintings, creation stories and designs. Please ask your students to refrain from taking photographs inside the Cultural Centre out of respect for traditional owners and their property rights.

Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park also has an Uluru-Kata Tjuta Knowledge for Tour guide accreditation program. This ensures that all our visitors receive the right information on how to stay safe and on the park's natural and cultural values and history.

The primary person providing information to you on the park must have completed the course. Please check with your transport company to ensure they are permitted to operate commercial tours in the park and their staff have this accreditation.

• If you are using a school owned and/or hire vehicle you are not required to have an accredited guide although we do recommend that all schools visiting the park arrange for an accredited guide to complement their tour and ensure your group learns about the natural and cultural values of the park.
• For more information on the accreditation please visit: https://www.awe.gov.au/parks-heritage/national-parks/tour-guide-accreditation.
• Application form
• Please note: this form must be completed by a representative of the school or educational facility i.e. teacher/group supervisor who is responsible for the group whilst in the park.
• Please allow a minimum of 30 days for us to review your application.
• If you have any questions regarding this application form please contact us - email uluru.education@environment.gov.au, or phone 08 8956 1128.

Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park and Anangu traditional owners welcome schools to Aboriginal land.