The last climbers allowed to scale Uluru descended just after sunset yesterday from the ancient and sacred monolith, which is now officially closed for climbing.

A group of eight held hands and stepped off the rock together about 7pm, local time, escorted by two rangers.

Among them was American Jayson Dudas from Las Vegas, who flew to Australia specifically to climb the rock.

Rangers posing with the sign indicating the permanent closure of the climb on the final day the climb is allowed. (SMH)

"This is a big thing for me, and being last is also part of it," he said on Friday.

"I know there's a big controversy. I respect the first nations but since it's an optional thing to do I decided to do it."

Climbers had lined up since 4am at the base of the iconic 348-metre high sandstone rock but it appeared they would miss out when rangers put up a sign at 7am declaring it was closed due to strong winds.

They opened the rock at 10am, with a lone young man running ahead of the pack to be the first on to Uluru on the last day climbs were allowed.

Visitors start to ascend Uluru after winds delayed them. A permanent climbing ban comes into force tomorrow. (AAP)

The climbers are seen making the steep ascent after the route was opened at 10am. (AAP)

Hundreds more followed him up as traditional owner Vincent Forrester, who also works as a guide, booed at the crowd and accused tourism operators of not employing young people from the Mutitjulu community.

"You've got to take the mickey a bit, there's a sign over there but not one of them can read," he said, referring to the sign at Uluru's base asking people not to climb on behalf of the Pitjantjatjara Anangu people from Mutitjulu.

"It's going to close today but we want the visitors to come and we want them to enjoy the Aboriginal presentation of our own country."

Uluru is a sacred site and of great spiritual significance to the Anangu.

Climbers start their ascent of Uluru after a delay caused by high winds. (AAP)

Yulara resident Rick Petersen who is a non-climbing advocate at the base of the climb today. (AAP)

The National Park board decided in 2017 to ban the climb, in what park operations manager Steven Baldwin said yesterday was a "triumph" of joint management and the Anangu people bravely showing they were not beholden to government or tourists.

Ranger and indigenous traditional owner Tjianju Thomas said it was an emotional day for the Anangu, who were descending on Uluru from throughout the region this weekend to celebrate.

Of those climbing he said: "It's disappointing and respect is a choice."

The climbers, from around the world, had varying sympathies for the Anangu.

Janet Ishikawa, of Hawaii, who specifically flew to Uluru for the last day of climbing described the reasons behind the ban as "bullshit".

The last group of tourists to descend Uluru, on the final day the climb is allowed. (SMH)

Thousands of international tourists have arrived at Uluru through this week. (AAP)

She likened it to the current protests by Native Hawaiians over plans for a large telescope on Mt Mauna Kea.

"It's a total overreaction, all of a sudden they want to take ownership of all this stuff," she told AAP.

Adelaide couple Joseph and Sonita Vinecombe said they were aware of the cultural sensitivities and it had made them think twice.

"I'm not going to be devastated if I can't get up there, I'm also going to run around the rock and that will be fine," Ms Vinecombe.

The closure comes after a long campaign by the traditional owners, the Anangu.

They regard it as a sacred Indigenous site and tomorrow will be the most important day for them since October 26, 1985, when Uluru was handed back.

Anangu National Park leader Tjiangu Thomas told Today it would be an emotional landmark.

"There is definitely mixed emotions," he said. "Part of me very happy that the climb is closing and Anangu's voices are being heard and respected. Also a little bit of sadness knowing that some of my traditional elders to longer here with us to see the fruits of all their hard work."

Hundreds queued up to climb Uluru in the days approaching the ban. (Nine)

ULURU CLOSURE 'A MOMENTOUS DAY'

Senator Malarndirri McCarthy told Today the climbing ban recognised the importance of Uluru to the Anangu people.

"It's going to be a momentous day for the people that live around that very spiritual place."

She also said people who had climbed it should not feel embarrassed. And the climbing ban helps recognise indigenous people's place in modern Australia.

"People shouldn't feel ashamed. With this move we are celebrating the importance of first person people in our place and around the world."

TOURISM TO CONTINUE

Uluru ranger Steve Baldwin told Today Uluru was a sacred and beautiful site but visitors didn't need to climb it to appreciate it.

"There are many other ways to enjoy it. You can walk around it, cycle and now even Segway around it," he said.

There has long been tension among traditional owners around the money climbers bring in versus Uluru's importance as a sacred site to them.

The cultural importance relates to Tjukurpa, the Anangu word for their Dreamtime and the foundation of their culture including rules for living. Tourists pay $25 to go to Uluru, of which the Central Land Council representing numerous indigenous groups receives 25 per cent.

In the past few weeks, there has been a surge of visitors flocking to Uluru, with many aiming to climb it before the ban begins.

While some told 9News the rock was a landmark for all Australians and people should be allowed to climb it, others agreed with the ban, saying visitors should respect indigenous culture.