One of Australia’s best known icons, Uluru, also known as Ayers Rock, is a huge sandstone formation in Central Australia. It is the second largest monolith in the world, with a circumference of almost 9 kilo meters and an imposing height of 348 meters. However, a major portion of this huge rock is underground. It extends 2.5 kilo meters into the ground. Uluru is listed among the world heritage site.
A remarkable fact about Uluru is that it changes color throughout the day according to the positions of the sun. The rock is seen in varying shades of red, pink, mauve, blue and brown. When it rains, the rock looks silvery with black patches.
Location
‘The remarkable pebble’, as explorer Ernest Giles put it, is located in the Uluru Kata National Park which is at a distance about 450 kilo meters by road from Alice Springs. It sits above a sandy floodplain filled with desert oak and spinifex.
Formation
The formation of Uluru is remarkable. The rock is actually an iselberg, the sole remaining part of a mountain range which was continually eroded over the years. As Uluru is homogenous throughout its volume and do not have jointing and parting at the bedding surfaces, thus preventing the formation of slopes covered with small rocks and soil. This was what led to the survival of Uluru, while the other parts were eroded.
Aboriginal Significance
Uluru is a very important spiritual place for the Anangu tribe. It is held sacred by Luritja, Pitjantjatjara and Yankunyatjatjara language speaking aborigines. There are a lot of ancient cave paintings and carvings at the base which are significant. There are also springs and a lot of water holes.
Visiting Uluru
Climbing Uluru is permitted by the authorities and many tourists do climb to the top. However, it is not recommended that you climb the rock, as it is a sacred site for the Anangu people. Moreover the climb crosses a sacred religious path. While the climb is not prohibited, the traditions and culture of the Anangu people should be respected, as we are guests on their land, and limiting yourself to circling Uluru is advised.
A walking track which is 9 kilo meters goes around the bottom of Uluru. While walking this track, one can see some excellent examples of ancient Aboriginal rock Art. Mutitjulu Waterhole is also on the track.
The walk around Uluru is an excellent way of getting to know Anangu culture and tradition, as the path is filled with significant sites. Take care that you show suitable respect when you are in these sites. In the area around Mala waterhole, total silence is expected, as this is an important spiritual site.
Also, photography is not encouraged at certain sections of Uluru, as traditional Tjukurpa beliefs forbid this.
Ever since the Uluru Kata Park was proclaimed as a world heritage site, the numbers of visitors started increasing exponentially. The increase of tourism has provided the area as well as the country economic benefits. But this also poses the challenge of conserving culture, values and traditions in the midst of all this tourist interest.
Thu, Sep 2, 2010
Nature Destinations