Right to Climb

We have mentioned before the fact that Traditional Owners prior to 1991 had no issues with tourists climbing or accessing many other sites at Ayers Rock. The evidence is quite clear that there was wide consultation with the Traditional Custodians about what was appropriate tourist access at Ayers Rock prior to the take over by the Federal Government in 1985. This snippet below from page 89 of  In the Wake of the Tourist Chapter 3 (Dreamtime at Ayers Rock) further highlights the contradictions about tourist access being issued by the Board and Parks Australia. In banning the Climb and access to world heritage listed views, it's quite clear the Public have been sold a pup. "Derek Roff, senior ranger at Ayers Rock-Mt. Olga National Park in 1975, says older aborigines tend to answer questions the way they think the questioner wants them answered. He believes that younger militants take advantage of this to exaggerate the religious significance of Ayers Rock. A comm...

Q.  Did the Aboriginal people ever talk to you about either regulating the use of, or even closing the climb? A. NO. In 1997 Derek Roff, former Head Ranger of the Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park from 1968 to 1985, recorded a detailed (7.5 hr)  interview with the Northern Territory Archives Oral History Unit. Topics covered Derek's time as a policeman in Kenya, emigration to Australia in the mid 1960s, and his experience and insights as Chief Ranger of the Park. The interview provides a fascinating insight into the development of the Park from 1968 through to the 1985 handover and beyond. Roff explodes many myths including the "We never climb" message and problems with photography. Derek was asked a number of questions about Aboriginal attitudes to the climb while he served as head Ranger for 17 years. His response indicates that the climb held no concerns to senior Aboriginal Elders, leaving one wondering what caused the "unchanging" Tjukurpa to alter so sign...

The Climb From NT Government Tourist Brochure, circa 1983. Photo likely taken by Derek Roff, Chief Ranger between 1968 and 1985 Text reads: Sheer rock looms before you, stretching 348 metres up. It seems like madness to try to climb it. But for many people the climb to the top of Ayers Rock is one of the greatest challenges of the Australian outback. About 50 000 people a year climb the Rock. But you have to be fit. It's steep, sometimes slippery and it's deceiving. You seem to climb forever. Each skyline appears to be the last but in fact, you cannot see the summit until you are 100 metres away. It takes about 90 minutes to reach the top. But when you get there the spectacular view makes it all worthwhile. After proudly signing the achievers' book, all you have to do is get down. Don't be mistaken. The climb down is just as difficult as the climb to the top.