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Uluru - probably the best known landmark in Australia. - Uluru, famous for its ever changing colours particularly at sunrise and sunset. People say that at times it almost glows. Uluru, or Ayers Rock, as it is also known, is seen here from the air. |
Thank you, Norm Latham, for letting us use this great photo!
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So what actually is Uluru? What is it made of? How big is it?
Well, its a very big piece of sandstone with a lot of feldspar in it. It is about 340 metres high above the desert floor, and they reckon it goes down as much as three kilometres below the desert floor. It is about 9.4 kilometres around. The sides are steep - up to 80% gradient! There are many caves, inlets and overhangs around the base. These are likely to have been caused by chemical breakdown of the rock and the power of the wind and sand - sandblast erosion.
So how did it get there? It a sandstone rock, and that would have a relatively simple explanation, because sandstone is usually laid down in layers, in water, over a longer or shorter time period. There are usually many horizontal layers. But here's the interesting bit - Uluru's layers run vertically!
So here's the question - how did this massive monolith get turned up on its end? Was it a slow moving of the earth's crust? But why only this one, and no others like it around? Was it a massive turbulence of water? Maybe - after all, the area around it looks like a massive flood plain. It remains a mystery ... |
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The climb to the top of Uluru
It is the dream of many to climb Uluru, and it is quite possible for an ordinary person to do so. It is a one mile climb, and it is quite physically challenging. It is quite dangerous, especially when there are high winds blowing, so stay on the track. Its hard yakka climbing the rock, so don't do it when its hot! Casualties are common.
Because the track follows a path used in religious ceremonies by the Aboriginal peoples in times past, the traditional owners would prefer you to respect that and not do the climb, but they do not prevent people from climbing. The legend from the Dreamtime states that both Uluru and Kata Tjuta (the Olgas, about 30 miles west of Uluru) were given their form during the creation time, which is known as Tjukurpa. |
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As an alternative you might like to walk around the base of Uluru. Its just over 5 miles all the way around, and the sights can be spectacular!. There are lots of caves all around the rock, and some of them have rock art in them. The rock can also be quite spectacular in the rain (left). If you walk long enough, you'll actually get back around where you came from (really!), and in the process you will come across the Mutitjulu waterhole, where you can rest your weary legs for a time. |
We want to tell you about Australia, what it's like, what the people are like.
We want to bring you some of the Aussie stuff so that you can experience something of what it is like in this wonderful land. A collection of websites showcaing Australian Cottage Industries.
You will discover many parts of Australia's history, its people, its land. And you will be able to buy things - pictures, clothing, food, sporting goods, and so much more, all Australian to the core.
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