Kakadu and Uluru reopen, but bookings remain scarce

KAKADU and Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Parks have reopened to visitors, but tourism operators say booking numbers are still low.

Kakadu and Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Parks reopen to visitors today but tourism operators say booking numbers are still extremely low.

KAKADU and Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Parks reopen to visitors today, but tourism operators say booking numbers are still low.

Kakadu Tourism chair Rick Allert said he believed the decision to reopen Kakadu National Park in a staged way would keep most visitors away.

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Park Australia said Kakadu would reopen on June 19 for day use between 8am and 5pm with no overnight camping permitted during the first stage of reopening.

However, Mr Allert said people can still camp at the Cooinda Lodge because it is technically not in the national park’s official area.

“There have been unfortunate confusion caused by Parks Australia’s announcement that no camping is currently allowed in Kakadu National Park because camping is certainly permitted at Cooinda, where we have plentiful space for campers and caravanners, as well as visitors wanting hotel accommodation,” he said.

He said bookings had been low due to the confusion.

Tourism operators at Uluru say bookings have also been low for them despite walking tracks and sunrise and sunset viewing areas reopening again for visitors today.

Ayers Rock Resort will remain closed until August 1 despite borders reopening on July 17.

Grant Hunt, chief executive of Voyages Indigenous Tourism Australia, which manages Ayers Rock Resort, said they are using the lockdown to complete a $50 million refurbishment to improve the resort, campgrounds and airport infrastructure.

“We are looking forward to welcoming guests back to the spiritual heart of our country and showcasing the work we have done at the resort in their absence,” he said.

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“This is the perfect time for Australians to get out and explore our amazing landscapes including the vast central desert, iconic Uluru and Kata-Tjuta as well as experiencing the important Indigenous cultural stories shared by the Traditional Owners of our land.”