Tourism is getting even better at Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, with visitor numbers rising six per cent in last financial year and the launch today of a free smartphone app to help people explore the park.

“Uluru’s star is on the rise once more, as a brilliant holiday destination, part of our iconic Red Centre, and a key driver of the regional economy,” said Senator Simon Birmingham, Parliamentary Secretary of the Environment.

“Today I spoke with tourism partners, traditional owners and staff about what’s next for Uluru.

“More than 270,000 people were drawn to Uluru last financial year, which is a rise of 14,604 visitors, a great result after the tough years of the global tourism downturn. It’s been even busier since then, with big rises in July and August.

“The growth in visitation is a testament to the many partners involved in the management of Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, including traditional owners and commercial partners like Voyages Ayers Rock Resort and AAT Kings.

“It’s clear that people still love what Uluru has to offer. Satisfaction rates are up above ninety per cent and new tourism experiences such as bike hire to explore the base of Uluru are proving really popular.

“There’s no doubt we’ve still got work to do, growing new experiences and creating more business opportunities for Aboriginal people , but we’re certainly heading in the right direction.

“Today we’re launching a free smartphone app for Uluru with all the info visitors need, top activities and sunrise spots, tips on when to come and what to pack. You can even learn a few words in the local language or take an audio tour, and of course there are maps galore.

“For a remote holiday spot, where you can’t always get a mobile signal to check a website, having this kind of info in your pocket is essential, and all in a format that’s familiar and convenient for today’s visitor.”

The ‘Visit Uluru’ app is available for iPhone and android and is free to download.

“Today we also released a ‘Visit Kakadu’ app, with the same mix of activities, trip planning advice, maps, nature facts and cultural highlights,” said Senator Simon Birmingham.

To download the apps, search ‘Visit Uluru’ or ‘Visit Kakadu’ in the app store on your phone
or visit https://itunes.apple.com/au/artist/director-of-national-parks/id476531422.