Timeline of events since European settlers
1872 Ernest Giles, while exploring the area, sighted Kata Tjuta from near Kings Canyon and called it Mt Olga
1873 Gosse is the first European to visit Uluru and called it Ayers Rock.
1920 Petermann Ranges, Ayers Rock and the Olgas are gazetted as the Great Central Desert Aboriginal Reserve
1930's During the depression, Anangu involved in dingo scalping. This contact introduced Anangu to European foods and ways
1934 Anangu man shot near Mutitjulu waterhole resulting in many Anangu leaving the area
1940 By this time the fully traditional pattern of land use is destroyed but Anangu continues to have strong ties with the land late
1940's First recorded tourists arrive
1957 Bill Harney is appointed as the first Ranger
1958 Uluru and Kata Tjuta are taken out of the Aboriginal Reserve and declared as a tourist and wildlife reserve
1971 Federal and South Australian Government officers meet with traditional owners at Ernabella
1972 First recorded ceremonies performed at Uluru by traditional owners which emphasised their traditional ownership. Ininti Store established as an Anangu enterprise
1973 Federal House of Representatives Standing Committee on the Environment visits Uluru
1974 Ayers Rock Advisory Committee first meets.
1976 Aboriginal Land Rights (Northern Territory) Act 1976 passed
1979 Katiti Land Claim presented. Claim not granted as land title was held by the Director of National Parks
1983 Aboriginal title to Uluru acknowledged by Prime Minister Bob Hawke
1983 Yulara Resort opens
1985 traditional owners presented with the Freehold Title deeds for park area, and leased land back to Federal Government
1987 Uluru National Park listed as a World Heritage natural property
1992 Yulara Resort renamed Ayers Rock Resort 1993 Official name of the park changed to - Uluru - Kata Tjuta National Park 1994 Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park listed as a World Heritage cultural landscape
1995 Uluru - Kata Tjuta National Park Cultural Centre opens to coincide with celebrations marking the tenth anniversary of hand-back
First Tour Operators Workshop held in Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park
1997 Uluru - Kata Tjuta National Park winner of the Northern Territory finals of the National Reconciliation Awards
2000 Environmental Biodiversity Protection and Conservation Act (1999) and Regulations (2000) came into effect
Uluru - Kata Tjuta National Park hosted the start of the Sydney Olympics
Cultural Site Management Unit established at Uluru - Kata Tjuta National Park
Ara irititja oral history program established throughout the Anangu Pitjantjatjara Lands
2001 Graduation ceremony at Uluru - Kata Tjuta National Park for first Anangu Rangers through the Bachelor Institute.
2002 Cultural Heritage Action Plan adopted for Uluru - Kata Tjuta National Park
Destructive wildfires burn much of Uluru - Kata Tjuta National Park
2003 October wildfires destroyed luxury accommodation at the Resort
2005 Uluru Dawn Australia Day Celebrations
20th Anniversary of the Handback of the land to traditional owners
Reintroduction of Mala (rufous hare wallaby) to Uluru - Kata Tjuta National Park
Launch of the Cultural Heritage Database for Uluru - Kata Tjuta National Park
Appointment of the first indigenous Park Manager at Uluru - Kata Tjuta National Park
