Mount Olgas (Kata Tjuta): the house of the Wanambi snake

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The Olgas Mountains (Mount Olgas) also called with the Aboriginal name of Kata Tjuta, is a group of red rocks carved by the elements that are located a few tens of kilometers from Ayers Rock (Uluru). These rocks suddenly rise from the monotonous lowlands of central Australia. Composed of sedimentary rocks these mountains rise up to 1,066 meters.

Like Ayers Rock, this Australian desert rock structure is also highly spectacular. The Mount Olgas (Kata Tjuta) are formed by red domes eroded by time and weather. These particular mountains rise above the flat and monotonous desert plain of central Australia about 25 km from Uluru (Ayers Rock). The Mount Olgas area is very beautiful especially at sunrise and sunset when the sun’s rays illuminate the rocky walls creating surprising lighting effects. Like Uluru, the Mount Olgas (Kata Tjuta) are formed by sedimentary rocks eroded by atmospheric agents to take on these characteristic shapes. Both of these rock formations are part of the Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park.

This rock formation includes over 30 rock structures of various shapes. The peculiarity is, in addition to the shape, also their intense red color, particularly evident at sunrise and sunset. The area, like the neighboring area of Uluru (Ayers Rock), is a sacred area for Australian Aborigines. Indeed, Aboriginal culture identifies the Olgas Mountains (Kata Tjuta) as the home of the Wanambi snake.

The visit to the Mount Olgas (Kata Tjuta) is usually done along the path called “Valley of the Winds Walk”. Here you can walk the first 2.5 km of the path, up to a pass located between two imposing monoliths, and from here go back, for a total of 5 km of itinerary. If you prefer, you can walk the entire circular path which is 7 km long.

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