Uluru Finally Closes - 30th October 2019

Uluru is the big red rock in central Australia. On Friday, it finally closed and now people can't climb the rock.

The local Anangu people celebrated with Australian parliament members.

The religious rock can now have a "well-earned rest". The weeks before the rock closed, the number of climbers increased. People ignored signs which said, "Please don't climb". The signs explained Anangu beliefs and why climbing was dangerous.

Uluru is also closing for safety. 37 people have died climbing since 1950, and there have been many injuries.

Pollution from litter and toilet waste will also stop.

On Sunday, people celebrated at an official event. There was traditional dancing, music and talks. People complained that the Australian Prime Minister, Scott Morrison, was not there.

Just 16 per cent of visitors climbed in 2017 as people respected the Anangu beliefs. The national park agreed rules to close Uluru years before if numbers fell. So, they decided Uluru could close in 2019.

Uluru is where the Anangu people's religious stories happen. The rock has been damaged by people climbing it.

The Anangu got control of the park 34 years ago. Now they have finally stopped people climbing.

The Anangu feel connected to their environment. Now Uluru is closed, they can 'feel' rested.