The site showing stunning colour during a rainfall

Aborigines already ask tourists not to climb the huge monolith, which they consider sacred.

Its closure was extended from the weekend to 20 days because of a delay in funeral arrangements for the Aboriginal leader, whose name has not been disclosed for cultural reasons.

Northern Territory Chief Minister Denis Burke said the move had sent "shockwaves" through the tourist industry.

"It's one thing to respect this traditional owner's death, it's quite another thing to look at the shockwaves and the resultant effect this will have," he was quoted as saying on ABC online.

The Olympic torch relay began at Uluru

He said he had been swamped by calls from tour operators and appealed to the prime minister to reach a compromise with park officials.

Uluru sited 450 km (280 miles) from the central desert town of Alice Springs, was chosen as the venue to start the Olympic torch relay before the 2000 games in Sydney.

'Inspiring gentleman'

The Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park said the dead man had played a key role in convincing the Australian Government to hand back control of Uluru to local Aborigines in 1985.

"A highly respected elder and role model, this inspiring gentleman tirelessly guided non-Aboriginal staff to respect and learn the ways of Anangu [local indigenous people] and to assist in supporting Tjukurpa [Anangu law]," it said in a statement.

The site's name was changed back to its original Aboriginal name after pressure from the community.