Uluru
Uluru, also referred to as Ayers Rock, is a large sandstone rock formation in the southern part of the Northern Territory, central Australia. It lies 335 km south west of the nearest large town, Alice Springs; 450 km by road. Kata Tjuta and Uluru are the two major features of the Uluru – Kata Tjuta National Park. Uluru is sacred to the Aboriginal people of the area.
Photo by ernieski
Uluru is one of Australia’s most recognisable natural icons and famous sights. The world-renowned sandstone formation stands 348 m (1,142 ft) high (863 m/2,831 ft above sea level) with most of its bulk below the ground, and measures 9.4 km in circumference. Both Uluru and Kata Tjuta have great cultural significance for the Aṉangu Traditional landowners, who lead walking tours to inform visitors about the local flora and fauna, bush foods and the Aboriginal dreamtime stories of the area.
Uluru is notable for appearing to change colour as the different light strikes it at different times of the day and year, with sunset a particularly remarkable sight when it briefly glows red. Although rainfall is uncommon in this semiarid area, during wet periods the rock acquires a silvery-grey colour, with streaks of black algae forming on the areas that serve as channels for water flow.
Uluru Visitor Information
You can fly daily from Perth, Sydney, Cairns and Alice Springs direct to Ayers Rock Airport. Flights from Darwin, Brisbane and Melbourne connect from Alice Springs through to Ayers Rock Airport.
A number of tour companies operate out of Alice Springs. It is however a five hour drive away (450km).
Viewing platforms have been erected to facilitate spectacular views of Uluru at sunrise and sunset.
It is possible to climb to the top of Uluru, but the Aboriginal people ask you not to, firstly because it is sacred and secondly due to the number of injuries that tourists have suffered from climbing it.
Camping is not prohibited within the park, but there are a number of camping grounds and hotels nearby which most tour companies make use of.