Uluru - Ayers Rock

Uluru is truly a magnificent sight. While the Aboriginal people regard it as a sacred place, tourists who catch glimpse of it are amazed by it's magnificence.

Background

Geologically speaking, Uluru is an inselberg, which is an isolated formation in a level surrounding. It is made up of sandstone rock and is huge, standing at 348 metres (1,142) feet with a circumference of 9.4 kilometres. The Uluru Rock is located in central Australia, which serves as an awesome site for tourists and locals alike to enjoy.

Around Uluru is a community of Anangu, specifically those who speak the Pitjantjatjaras and the Yankunytjatjaras dialects. These Aboriginal dwellers are the ones who care for and look after Uluru, guiding visitors who are out to explore this piece of beauty. They consider it their responsibility to pass on the rich historical and natural value of the place to their own descendants and to others who may be interested. Imparting knowledge about their culture through the wonder of the landscape is a duty Anangu have lived by for many years.

The word Uluru is derived from the Anangu's native language. However, during the late 1800s, a surveyor named William Gosse decided to call the territory Ayers Rock as a tribute to Sir Henry Ayers, South Australia's then Chief Secretary. The Anangu, of course, insisted to call the rock by its original Aboriginal name, but Ayers Rock was for years the popular tag until the 1990s when a dual name was ruled in.

What to See

The real attraction of Uluru/Ayers Rock is its appearance. It changes colors at different seasons and at different hours of the day. Uluru/Ayers Rock is most wonderful at sunset, adapting a glowing red color as the sun descends. When rain falls, which rarely happens with Uluru's typical desert climate, a silver gray color can be seen with waterfalls forming on the surface.

Uluru/Ayers Rock also teems with life. It is inhabited by species of flora and fauna that are native to the place. The majority of the rare plant species in Central Australia can only be found in Uluru. Some of the plants that rely on rainfall for survival are restricted to the damp areas. However, there are also other species that can live through hot weather and even depend on heat for reproduction. Uluru is also home to unique animal species. Bats, red kangaroos, marsupial moles, Great Desert skinks, and Woma pythons are part of the large animal population that can be found in the vicinity. Sadly, about 40% of the native mammal species are already extinct. This is largely attributed to the suffering environmental conditions of the place.

What to Do

Uluru should be included in any explorer's itinerary. Walking around the base of Uluru is the most popular activity, where tourists learn about the locals and their culture along the way. Tourists can go on either ranger-guided walks or self-guided walks, whichever they prefer. Ranger-guided walks are scheduled daily. During the trip, a ranger is tasked to familiarize the guests on the traditions of the Aboriginal people and everything else that is associated with Uluru. Taking part in a self-guided walk, on the other hand, is a great opportunity to discover for oneself the many amazing things about Uluru and its natives.

Aside from viewing and walking, climbing the rock is an option. However, the Anangu prefers guests refrain from doing this activity as a way of paying respect to the rock's spiritual value. The Uluru/Ayers Rock is a sacred site for the Aboriginal people. However, the access to climb Uluru is still allowed. The natives believe that even when people are permitted to do so, they should not climb Uluru out of respect to their existing laws and culture. The request to refrain from climbing Uluru is also their way of protecting their guests from known dangers. As the safekeepers of the land, the Aboriginal people feel responsible for whatever happens to their guests while in their territory.

Taking photographs while enjoying scenery is an equally interesting activity for tourists. As with climbing, however, guests should be careful when taking snapshots of their trip. This is because there are certain sights that the Aboriginal people would like to preserve. These sights include specific areas and rituals that are of significant value to their beliefs. A ban to picture-taking was created to protect these Anangu beliefs.

Warning Signs

Before taking a trip to the scenic Uluru, tourists must familiarize themselves with the do's and dont's. The locals are the best source of this knowledge but tourists may also visit Uluru's Cultural Centre to acquaint themselves with the Anangu culture and the local laws they must abide.

Safety is another major concern. Uluru is a fairly harsh environment that must be explored with extra care. The trails around the base of Uluru are guided with marks. It is always advised to stick to these marks for one's safety. Likewise, it is important to note all the warning signs and cautions and heed them.

The most common condition that tourists must prepare themselves for is exhaustion from the extremely hot weather. Heat stroke can be prevented by wearing protective gear and keeping a bottle of water at the ready. It would also help if you choose to explore the place during the cooler times of the day.

Friendly rangers are always around to aid tourists with their needs. They are helpful not only in guiding tourists but in assisting them during emergencies. Since they are familiar with the place, they are most reliable to seek help from when the need arises.

When to Visit

The typical temperature in Uluru ranges from 37 to 47 degree Celsius during summer and -5 to -8 degree Celsius during winter. The natives recognize five seasons spread out the whole year. The first quarter, January to March, may be visited with irregular storms as a preparation for a cool weather that happens in April up to May. June and July are filled with morning frosts while August and September are vernal seasons. It is during the last quarter, October to December, that the weather in Uluru is hottest. As such, it is recommended that tourists visit the place during the cold months.

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