Looking after our Environment
Keeping our Environment healthy
Living and working at Ayers Rock Resort means living and working at one of the most iconic destinations in the world. We are on the doorstep of a dual listed world heritage national park and we share our home with many unique plant and animal species some of which are threatened and found no where else in the world.
In this section you will find information about our beautiful natural environment and what you can do to care for it. Including proper waste management, recycling, water wise tips etc.
During your time at Ayers Rock Resort take the time to learn about this amazing place learn and leave it better than you found it.
Look after where we live!
- Always stay on track – desert plants are fragile; it doesn’t take long to kill them when people start trampling them. Staying on track also reduces your chance of coming across snakes, spiders, scorpions etc.
- If there are fences and barriers up, don’t climb over them
- Once the plants are gone, erosion and dust start. Animals rely on these plants for shelter and food
- Use water responsibly – We live in a desert water is precious!
- Reduce, reuse, and recycle!
- Put your rubbish in the bin! – Do not litter
- Learn about the native animals and plants
- Report any rabbits, cats or foxes
- Let wild animals be wild:
- Don’t feed wild animals
- Unless you have a permit from the NT government it is an offense to interfere with native wildlife in any way.
- Don’t bother animals trying to get a photo – admire from a respectful distant
Flora & Fauna
Ayers Rock Resort is home to many unique flora and fauna species. Plants and animals sustained life for tens of thousands of years, and many have important cultural significance to Anangu.
Flora
Uluru and surrounds is home to more than 400 different plants – some of which are rare.
Fauna
Living at Ayers Rock resort you will see plenty of insects, birds, and reptiles and if you’re lucky you’ll even get to see some of our local mammals. Surprisingly, we have four species of frogs and toads in which are well adapted to desert life.
Unfortunately, several of the mammal species that used to be found at Uluru are no longer here, some are extinct, and some are extinct in the wild in the NT.
Download the Uluru Birds app if you’re interested in learning more about the birds
For more information about our local environment check out the UKTNP fact sheets below.
Threatened Species Survey
Every year Ayers Rock Resort runs a threatened species survey – monitoring impacts of our operations on murtja (brush tailed mulgara) and tjakura (great desert skink).
We do a call out for volunteers every year (so if you don’t mind sunrise starts) keep an eye out!
Snakes
13 species of snakes can be found at Ayers Rock Resort and UKTNP. Eight snake species are venomous, two of which are considered extremely dangerous.
- The walalaṟa (western brown, also called liru) grows up to 1–1.5 metres in length and has colourings from rusty brown, to black with orange bands and,
- Matjanypa (mulga, or king brown, also called liru) technically a black snake, matjanypa can grow up to 3m long.
If you see a snake in it’s natural environment – leave it alone. Be calm and still and let it go about it’s business unbothered.
If you see a snake in your home or in residential and guest areas where it could be dangerous. Remain calm, call the snake catcher (number on the back of your res card) and try to keep an eye on the snake so you can give the snake catcher as much information as possible when he arrives.
Dingoes
Dingoes play a vital role in desert ecosystems they are a beautiful animal and are a protected species in the Northern Territory. It is an offence to interfere with them in anyway without the appropriate permit. The Northern Territory is also home to some of the purest populations of dingoes on the mainland, they come in a variety of colours (black, tan, and white) and in most cases it is very difficult to distinguish between a dingo and a dingo/dog hybrid.
Dingo Facts
- Dingoes are most active at dusk and dawn, so this is when you will be most likely to see them.
- Dingoes breed in Autumn, during this time special care should be taken – dingoes can become very territorial and can be aggressive during this time.
- Dingoes are often seen alone but they actually belong to packs
- They bond with their mates for life
- Dingoes very rarely bark and not like a domestic dog – it’s generally harsher and in short bursts
Dingoes are not domestic pets. When people feed or interact with these wild animals, they lose their fear of humans. This can quickly lead to trouble for people and the dingo. Feeding these wild animals encourages them to come closer to town and lose their fear of humans. This can mean a death sentence for the dingo. If someone is bitten by a dingo, then there will be a cull of these beautiful native predators.
Be Dingo Safe
- Never feed, interfere with or harass dingoes
- Keep bin areas clean and not overflowing.
- Do not leave rubbish outside
- Dispose of food waste correctly – do not dump any food waste outside, if you have a compost – cover food with soil and turn regularly
- Desex your dogs
- Always walk your dog on leash
- Do not leave children unattended
- Carry a stick while walking your dog
- Keep your distance
- Do not feed other wildlife – increased populations of birds, mice and other mammals around your house will attract wild dogs
If you see any concerning behaviour involving dingoes or wild dogs please make a report.
What should be reported by Residents?
- Packs of dingoes/wild dogs frequenting the same locations
- Large packs of dingoes/wild dogs
- Residents or guests feeding dingoes/wild dogs
- Behaviour that indicates the dingoes/wild dog is becoming unafraid of people (acting friendly, approaching people, aggression towards people)
- Aggressive behaviour towards pet dogs
- Any other unusual or concerning behaviour from dingoes/wild dogs
Introduced Animals
Unfortunately, we have some unwanted species living alongside us here at the resort as well.
- Cats,
- Rabbits
- Foxes
- Camels
- Wild dogs
Together these animals cause serious environmental and economic damage. Threatened species like the tjakura are under direct threat of extinction from feral cats. One feral cat can kill up to 30 animals in one night!!
If you see and of these animals of resort property you should report it to the environment officer (0456010750). Or if you’re interested you can join the feralscan group, you download a free app on your phone, and upload feral animal sightings to our group. If you’d like to take part send an email to linda.harper@voyages.com.au.
Waterwise Tips
Simple actions for in your home:
- Keep a jug or bottle of tap water in the fridge for drinking. This way you don’t need to run the tap in summer until it gets cold enough for a drink.
- Take shorter showers. Limit time spent in the shower to soap up, wash down, and rinse off. Shorter showers also save on energy costs associated with heating water.
- Check for leaks – dripping taps, showerheads, and toilets. Even a slowly dripping tap can waste up to 20,000 litres a year. If you find a leak, contact housing (8957 7365) – Information on the back of your Res card.
- Catch running water whilst waiting for it to warm up. Use it to water plants, rinse dishes, or wash fruit and vegetables.
Simple actions for in the garden:
- Plant a ‘waterwise’ garden using plants with low water requirements. What better range to choose from than our own native plants that come in an amazing variety to keep any gardener happy. Your local wildlife will thank you for it too. Landscaping and environment are happy to help with your garden, contact 8957 7028 if you need help selecting native plants
- Water your garden between 8pm-8am – Watering in the hottest part of the day means your watering efforts and the water will go to waste, because it will evaporate quicker during the heat of the day and less water will get to the roots. Water your garden at night or early in the morning when less water evaporates – and don’t water when it’s been raining or is very windy.
- Mulch your garden beds. Mulch increases your garden’s moisture retention and adds to the nutrient content.
- Get rid of weeds as they take water away from the plants you want to grow. Contact environment officer (8957 7028) if you need help identifying or removing weeds