Ayers Rock 'used by tourists as a toilet'

Tourists face being banned from Australia's Ayers Rock because they are relieving themselves on the iconic Aboriginal desert site.

Tour operator Andrew Simpson said visitors were often caught short on the long climb up the red monolith, which holds deep religious significance for Australia's Aboriginal community.

"When people climb up the top of the rock there's no toilet facilities up there," he said. "Most of them have a toilet roll tucked away. They're *****ing on a sacred site," he added.



His claims were submitted to a draft management plan which includes a proposed climbing ban.

Simpson's Anangu Waai company operates driving tours around the rock, located in the centre of the country and known by the Aboriginals as Uluru.

Prime Minister Kevin Rudd said it would be "very sad" if tourists were kept off the rock, which was handed back to Aboriginals in 1985 and attracts around 350,000 visitors a year.