Uluru / Ayers Rock

Uluru, also known as Ayers Rock, is one of the most famous natural landmarks of Australia , a natural wonder and a spiritual place, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The sandstone formation is located in Central Australia, and has 1,142 ft high (348 meters), rising 2,831 ft (863 meters) above the sea level, being one of the world’s largest monoliths, presumed to be there, underwater, 550 million years ago, making it around the same age as the Australian continent.

It is known for its changing colors, from charcoal to purple to crimson to ochre according to the position of the sun, an incredible experience recommended to watch at sunset or sunrise, when its red-orange colors are at their brightest. The rock gets its color when its iron content get exposed to air. The rock isn’t supposed to be as red inside, as its minerals haven’t gotten in contact with oxygen.

Uluru is a sacred formation to the Pitjantjatjara or Anangu, the natives of the area, who considered this monolith to be sacred, a link to their ancestors, presumed to be living in the area since 10,000 years ago.

The formation is filled with springs, rock caves and ancient paintings, as well as diverse fauna and flora, with more than 415 species of plants, 21 species of mammals, 178 species of birds, 73 species of reptiles and thousands more species of insects.

The name “Ayers Rock” was given to this place on July 19th, 1873, when Willian Goose became the first non-Aboriginal person to see the sandstone, and named it in honor to the then Chief Secretary of South Australia, Sir Henry Ayers. On 1993, the formation was officially names “Ayers Rock/Uluru”, becoming the first official dual-named place in the territory.

In October 2019,  the Uluru–Kata Tjuta National Park decided to ban the access of climbers to the massive sandstone monolith. This decision was taken after a lot of deliberation and pressure from the Aboriginal people of the area, who saw the climbing as a disrespect to their beliefs, as well as the natural damage it was causing to the monolith itself, when tourists used to take rocks from it when leaving.

250,000 people used to visit the  Uluru each year, despite the fact that its nearest town is almost 1000,km away.

Uluru is located on the Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, about 5 hours drive from Alice Springs. However, there is a nearby airport called “The Ayers Rock Airport”, which saves the 5 hours drive to travelers. A ticket for the national park is required to enter. The ticket last 3 days, with an optional extension to 5 days.

Ayers Rock provides a variety of accommodations, only 20 km from the formation, offering transfers between the site, the resort and the airport as well.

There are many attractions offered at the site, with over 100 tours and experiences, like camel tours, motorcycle tours, dine under the stars, skydiving and much more that allow you to experience the natural phenomenon at its best.