Kata Tjuta

Kata Tjuta is a formation of red rock domes in central Australia that spreads across a wide desert area in the Northern Territory. The domes rise from the flat plain and form a group of peaks that shift in color from terracotta to purple under different light conditions.

The formations were mapped during 19th-century European exploration of Australia and received an alternative English designation at that time. In the later decades of the 20th century, management of the area was progressively returned to the traditional owners.

The place holds a name from the Pitjantjatjara language and is considered sacred by the traditional owners, the Anangu people, today. Visitors can join cultural tours led by Anangu rangers that offer insight into the connection between people and this landscape.

Access to the area is by road from the main route through central Outback. Two walking trails lead through the valleys and along the gorges between the rock formations, with the longer path taking several hours to complete.

The highest peak in this group stands about 200 meters (656 feet) taller than nearby Uluru, though that landmark usually receives more attention. The rock itself consists of a conglomerate material, which differs from the smoother surface of other formations in the region.