Why does Uluru have two names?

Answer 1

Uluru is the name by which the indigenous Australians have known the great landform of central Australia for thousands of years.

When European explorers "discovered" Australian mountains, rivers and other landforms, they tended to give these features names to honour someone who might have helped sponsor their expedition, or politicians. In the case of Uluru, explorer William Gosse gave it the name of Ayers Rock after Sir Henry Ayers, the Premier of South Australia.

The region where Uluru is found was originally called the Ayers Rock - Mount Olga National Park was set apart from the South-Western Aboriginal reserve in 1958. In 1977, it was gazetted as the Uluru National Park. It was renamed Uluru - Kata Tjuta National Park after ownership of the park was returned to the traditional aboriginal owners in 1985.

Answer 2

Uluru is the Aboriginal name for the rock formation, while Ayers Rock is the name given by European settlers. The dual naming acknowledges the rich cultural history of the area and reflects the different perspectives of the Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities.