History of Yulara

The History of Yulara's Inception

Yulara is a unique example of a town created with one specific goal: to ensure the comfort of travellers while preserving the integrity of sacred natural monuments. Unlike many historical settlements, this town did not grow over centuries at the crossroads of trade routes; instead, it was carefully designed and built in the late 20th century as a unified complex.

Foundation and First Mentions

The history of Yulara begins in the 1970s. Prior to this time, chaotic tourism infrastructure (motels, an airstrip, and campsites) was located directly at the base of Uluru. This caused serious damage to the fragile desert ecosystem and violated the cultural traditions of the indigenous Anangu people, for whom the rock is sacred.

Authorities decided to relocate all accommodation facilities outside the national park boundaries. Construction of the new town began in the early 1980s, and its official opening took place in 1984. The name "Yulara" comes from the language of the local Aboriginal people and translates as "howling" or "crying," which is associated with legends about the wild dingo dog.

Key Factors of Establishment

The emergence of Yulara was the result of a complex compromise between tourism development and nature conservation. The main factors influencing the town's creation included:

• Ecological Protection: The primary task was to remove the anthropogenic load from the base of Uluru and Kata Tjuta. The town was positioned approximately 20 kilometres from the rock—close enough for excursions, yet far enough to preserve nature.
• Geography and Landscape: The site was chosen behind sand dunes so that the buildings would not be visible to visitors located directly within the national park, maintaining the feeling of a "wild" desert.
• State Planning: The project became one of the largest investments by the Northern Territory government in tourism infrastructure, designed to organise the flow of guests to Australia's "Red Centre."

Early Cultural and Economic Features

From its foundation, Yulara's economy has been 100% focused on hospitality. No traditional craft or trade quarters formed here; the town was immediately created as a resort with clear zoning: hotels of various levels, staff housing, an airport, and service facilities.

Special attention was paid to architecture. The project, led by architect Philip Cox, gained recognition for its harmonious blending with the environment. Buildings were designed to be low-rise, and the colour scheme echoed the shades of the red earth and desert vegetation. The famous white sails covering the main hotel became a symbol of protection from the scorching sun and an important visual element of the town's early appearance.

Chronology of Yulara's Development

The history of Yulara is inextricably linked to the development of tourism around Uluru and the movement to preserve the region's natural and cultural heritage.

• Early 1970s — The Australian Federal Government decides on the necessity of relocating tourist facilities away from the base of Uluru to protect the environment.
• 1976 — Enactment of the Aboriginal Land Rights (Northern Territory) Act, which influenced the choice of location for the future town outside the national park boundaries.
• 1978 — The Northern Territory Government officially approves the location of the new settlement and assigns it the name Yulara.
• 1982 — Start of the active construction phase of the town's infrastructure and resort complex designed by architect Philip Cox.
• 1983 — Opening of Connellan Airport (now Ayers Rock Airport), which became the region's main air gateway.
• 1984 — Official opening of the Yulara resort and the simultaneous closure of old motels and campsites located directly at the rock.
• 1985 — The land title for Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park is officially handed back to the traditional owners, the Anangu people, strengthening the cultural component of tourism in Yulara.
• 1992 — Resort management passes to new operators, beginning a phase of service expansion and accommodation improvement.
• 2003 — New galleries and venues dedicated to Indigenous art open within the town.
• 2011 — The resort complex (Ayers Rock Resort) is acquired by the Indigenous Land and Sea Corporation (ILSC), ensuring direct participation of local communities in the town's economy.
• 2012 — Completion of a major renovation of the flagship hotel, Sails in the Desert, updating the architectural look of the town centre.
• 2019 — The permanent closure of the tourist climb to the summit of Uluru shifts guest focus in Yulara to cultural programmes and ground-based excursions.
• 2023 — Launch of the high-tech Wintjiri Wiru drone show, marking a new milestone in the modern history of the town's entertainment.

Major Milestones in Yulara's Development and Transformation

The development of Yulara is the story of transforming a utilitarian settlement into a world-class cultural hub. The town has journeyed from a basic stopover point to a centre where the economy is closely intertwined with supporting Indigenous communities and preserving heritage.

• Centralisation of the Tourism Zone (1984)

  The opening of the resort was an urban planning breakthrough. Scattered motels at the base of the rock were replaced by a single, planned town with clear zoning. This decision allowed for the restoration of the national park's ecology and the creation of managed infrastructure with unified service standards.

• Formation of the Architectural Code (1980s)

  The implementation of Philip Cox's project using "sails" to create shade defined the town's visual identity. This had significant aesthetic and climatic importance: architecture learned to coexist with the harsh desert conditions rather than oppose them, becoming a benchmark for construction in the Australian Outback.

• Acquisition of the Resort by the ILSC (2011)

  The purchase of the complex by the Indigenous Land and Sea Corporation (ILSC) was a key economic event. This changed the town's development vector: tourism profits began to be directed towards social programmes and support for the Indigenous population, turning Yulara into a socially responsible enterprise.

• Establishment of the National Indigenous Training Academy (NITA)

  The opening of the training centre in Yulara launched systematic vocational training for Indigenous Australians. For the town, this meant a cultural transformation of service: hotel staff and guides became bearers of authentic knowledge, while local residents gained jobs and career prospects.

• Large-scale Renovation and Rebranding (2012–2014)

  Multi-million dollar investments in updating the flagship Sails in the Desert hotel and the conference centre allowed Yulara to enter the luxury and business tourism market. The town ceased to be perceived merely as a "hiking base" and became a standalone destination offering a high level of comfort.

• Integration of Art Objects into the Landscape (from 2016)

  The launch of the Field of Light installation by Bruce Munro, and later the drone show, marked a new stage in entertainment development. The town offered tourists world-class evening programmes, increasing the average length of stay and shifting the focus from physically conquering the rock to a contemplative experience.

Architectural Appearance and Urban Planning

Yulara represents a rare example of a fully designed settlement from the late 20th century. Unlike European cities, there is no layering of historical eras here—neither Gothic nor Baroque. The entire architectural ensemble belongs to the period of modern architecture (1980s and newer), with a pronounced emphasis on eco-friendliness and harmony with the desert landscape.

Urban Planning Concept

The town's master plan was developed with strict environmental requirements in mind. The main idea was the "invisible town." Construction was carried out in such a way that buildings did not rise above the sand dunes and remained invisible from the sacred rock of Uluru.

• Zoning: The town has a clear ring structure. Hotels and apartments are located along the outer perimeter of the central dune, ensuring each complex has a view of the desert while maintaining privacy.
• Scale: A rejection of high-rise construction. All buildings are low-rise (1–3 floors), which preserves the natural horizon line.
• Landscape Design: Only endemic plants resistant to drought are used, minimizing the need for artificial irrigation and supporting the local ecosystem.

Architectural Style: Desert Modernism

The dominant style of Yulara is regional modernism with high-tech elements, adapted to the harsh climate of the Australian Outback. The project was designed by the renowned Australian architect Philip Cox.

• Tent Structures: The use of huge white sail-tents became the town's calling card. This is not merely a decorative element of postmodernism, but a functional solution: they create shade, protecting public areas and pools from the scorching sun, and ensure natural air circulation.
• Colour Palette: Buildings are painted in tones mimicking the environment—red ochre, terracotta, muted green, and sand. This allows the structures to visually blend with the desert.
• Materials: Extensive use of steel, concrete, and lightweight structures typical of late 20th-century architecture, designed to ensure durability under extreme temperature fluctuations.

Iconic Structures

Since the town is a unified resort complex, its "landmarks" are the key hotels that form its silhouette:

• Sails in the Desert: The main architectural dominant. The hotel stands out with its snow-white tent roofs, reminiscent of dunes or a Bedouin camp, executed in a modern interpretation.
• Desert Gardens Hotel: An example of integrating architecture and botany. The building is surrounded by gardens showcasing the flora of Central Australia, and the façade lines are intentionally simplified so as not to distract attention from nature.

Notable Figures Connected to the History and Development of Yulara

Yulara is a young town, so the list of significant persons includes not only historical figures of the region but also those who directly participated in the creation, design, and development of this unique resort complex.

• Philip Cox
  Architect

  A leading Australian architect who developed the master plan and design for the Yulara resort in the early 1980s. His innovative concept of "sails in the desert" created an eco-friendly town harmoniously integrated into the landscape and brought prestigious architectural awards to the project.

• Edward "Eddie" Connellan
  Aviator, Tourism Pioneer

  Founder of Connellan Airways. He established the first air routes to Uluru and built the original airstrip. Yulara's airport (Ayers Rock) bore his name for a long time, as it was his efforts that made the region accessible for mass tourism.

• Paul Everingham
  Politician, Chief Minister of the Northern Territory

  Initiator of the Yulara construction project. In the late 1970s, his government made the strategic decision to relocate hotels from the base of Uluru to a new site, leading to the foundation of the town in its current form.

• Yami Lester
  Aboriginal Leader and Activist

  A prominent figure of the Anangu people. He played a key role in the land rights movement, which resulted in the Handback of land to traditional owners in 1985. This event fundamentally changed the cultural atmosphere and tourism management policy in Yulara.

• Bruce Munro
  Artist

  Creator of the famous light installation Field of Light, located in the outskirts of Yulara. His work has become the town's most important modern attraction, breathing new life into the resort's evening programme and attracting thousands of tourists from around the world.

• William Gosse
  Explorer

  The first European to reach Uluru in 1873. Although he lived long before the town's founding, his discovery and naming of the rock "Ayers Rock" sparked interest in the area, eventually leading to the creation of Yulara's tourism infrastructure.

• Sammy Wilson
  Traditional Owner, Community Leader

  Grandson of one of the custodians of Uluru and former Chair of the National Park Board of Management. He actively participates in developing Yulara as a centre for cultural tourism, promoting the creation of enterprises managed by Indigenous people.