Cultural Centre
When you visit Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, you should ensure that you explore the Cultural Centre first. You will enjoy exploring the park much more if you understand Anangu culture and this very special cultural and natural environment.
At the Cultural Centre you can get an introduction to Tjukurpa (law, knowledge, religion, philosophy), Anangu art, Anangu way of life (traditional and current), history, languages, wildlife and joint management of the park.
The displays feature photo collages, oral history sound panels, Pitjantjatjara language learning interactives, soundscapes, videos and artefacts. There are bush tucker sessions, plants walks and cultural sessions for visitors to experience. Cultural Centre notes are provided in Pitjantjatjara, English, Italian, Japanese, German and French. A touch wall for visually impaired people ensures that the messages are accessible to everyone. Daily schedules vary, so ask at the Cultural Centre Information Desk.
Opening hours
Cultural Centre
Open 7.00 am - 6.00 pm daily.
Information Desk
Open 8.00 am - 12 noon and 1.00 pm - 5.00 pm daily.
Entry fees
Entry to the Cultural Centre is free.
An
Award Winning Building
The dynamic Cultural Centre is a free form structure built from locally made mud bricks. It resembles the two ancestral snakes Kuniya and Liru. Inside, large informative displays were designed collaboratively with Anangu, architects, designers and interpreters to create a wonderful visitor experience.
'This building is for us all.
Our beautiful Cultural Centre has the Kuniya python built within its shape.
Its body is made of mud and its roof is the spine of the python'.
- Topsy Tjulyata
The architects set up a work studio in the Mutitjulu community where Anangu and other interested parties could go to comment on what they felt were the requirements of the proposed building. Anangu made sure that everyone involved learned about Tjukurpa (law and religious philosophy). They drew sketches in the sand, made paintings on canvas and sat for long periods of time talking issues over with each other, park staff, architects and display designers. From these early stages the building developed through close collaboration between the community members, their employees, Parks Australia and the design team.
The Cultural Centre was the Winner of the 1996 RAIA Tracy award for the best public building in the Northern Territory. It has featured in architectural publications throughout the world.
Cultural Centre Enterprises
All commercial enterprises located in the Cultural Centre are Anangu owned.
Ininti Cafe and Souvenirs
Ininti Cafe and Souvenirs provides a wide selection of souvenir gifts, books, videos and clothing that feature Uluru and the cultural heritage of its traditional owners. Ininti Cafe has a comfortable air conditioned area for visitors to sit down and enjoy light refreshments whilst enjoying a magnificent view of Uluru.
Opening daily: 7:00 am - 5:15 pm.
Phone (+61) 8 8956 2214
Fax (+61) 8 8956 2437
Email: ininticafeandsouvenirs@bigpond.com or cafe@ininti.org.au
Anangu Tours
Anangu Tours is a company offering small, exclusive group tours, hosted by local Aboriginal guides. They offer a unique insight into Anangu history, knowledge, lifestyle and the Tjukurpa of Uluru. Reservations and inquiries can be made at the Anangu Tours Desk in the Resort Tourist Information Centre, or contact them directly. Brochures are available at the National Park Information Desk in the Cultural Centre.
Phone: (+61) 8 8956 2123 or (+61) 8 8950 3030
Fax: (+61) 8 8956 3136 or (+61) 8 8950 3034
Web site: ananguwaai.com.au
e-mail: reservations@ananguwaai.com.au
Maruku Arts
Maruku brings together the work of hundreds of artists from their homelands and communities in the western desert. Traditionally crafted tools and exciting new art forms (animal carvings, paintings, jewellery, woven grass baskets), express the ongoing and vital strength of Anangu culture. Share in this at their award winning shop - watch crafts people at work and purchase a unique piece of punu (woodwork).
Walkatjara Art Centre
The Walkatjara Art Centre is owned and operated by the local Aboriginal artists from the Mutitjulu Community. The Gallery Shop sells unique ceramic art, paintings and functional craft works from local Anangu artists. They also sell art from the Desart member art centres, located throughout Central Australia.
The local Walkatjara Artists hand paint designs based on the Tjukurpa and on the landscape. These images tell the stories relating to Anangu culture and heritage.
Most weekdays the Walkatjara Artists come to paint and work in the Art Room, adjacent to the Gallery Shop. Artists receive a percentage of sales.