Public divided over climbing ban on Uluru

For 30 years Uluru’s traditional land owners, the Anangu people, have been asking visitors not to climb the rock because of its cultural and spiritual significance, but it’s only now that a ban on climbing the rock has been enforced.

Climbing Uluru will be banned from 2019, on the 34th anniversary of the day Uluru land title was handed back to its traditional owners.

Climbing the rock is forbidden by traditional law, and climbing the rock is seen as disrespectful to Indigenous culture.

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“That’s a really important sacred thing that you are climbing … you shouldn’t climb,” traditional owner Kunmanara said, according to Parks Australia.

“It’s not the real thing about this place. And maybe that makes you a bit sad. But anyway, that’s what we have to say. We are obliged by Tjukurpa to say. And all the tourists will brighten up and say, ‘Oh I see. This is the right way. This is the thing that’s right. This is the proper way: no climbing’.”

The ban has received mixed opinions on social media, with many travellers over 60 recalling their trips to Uluru and climbing the rock, while others support the ban.

“I was there in June and was horrified to see people still climbing it,” Claire told Travel at 60.

“There were signs asking them not to but ignored. Our guide also showed us other places asking for no photos and there were the groups posing in front of these signs to get the photo of the sensitive site.

“I was in Rome last year and nobody was standing on the Altar in the Basillica and noone was taking photos in Sistene Chapel.”

Carol added, “I have respect for the site. I would NOT climb it under any circumstances.”

Other travellers, who have climbed the rock in the past, said they wouldn’t do it again.

“Yes, I do have memories of climbing Uluru,” Marlene told Travel at 60. “It was New Years Day in 1997 and I climbed it with my husband and two daughters. It was so hot we had to be down by 9am. Never again. Now I am wiser and more respectful.”

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Others are against the ban.

“Never been there and if there are so many rules of things you’re NOT ALLOWED to do, that’s fine, their choice,” Kaz said. “Close the place and stop collecting tourist dollars if it is so sacred. Seems to too many conflicting rules.”

David added, “I climbed it as a child, with my parents and grandparents. It was an amazing family adventure for a 10 year old. I’m sad that I won’t be allowed to do that with my children. I doubt we will even visit Uluru (aka Ayers Rock) now that this activity is banned.”

Throughout the years, 36 people have died climbing the rock so as well as the issues surrounding the cultural insensitivity of climbing Uluru, it is dangerous.