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 Detail of Uluru showing Skull Cave
Detail of Uluru showing Skull Cave
Uluru is more than 318 m (986 ft) high, 8 km (5 miles) around with a hard exterior compared to most other large rock formations which has prevented formation of scree slopes, resulting in the unusual steep faces down to ground level.
Uluru is often referred to as a monolith, and for many years it was even listed in record books as the world's largest monolith. However that description is inaccurate, as it is part of a much larger underground rock formation[1] which includes Kata Tjuta (also known as The Olgas) and Mount Connor. The world's largest monolith is Mt Augustus in Western Australia, which is more than 2.5 times the size of Uluru - it stands 858 meters above the surrounding plain, 1105 meters above sea level and covers 47.95 kmē.
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. The rock is made of sandstone infused with minerals like feldspar (Arkosic sandstone) that reflect the red light of sunrise and sunset, making it appear to glow. The rock gets its rust colour from oxidation. Rainfall is uncommon in the area around Uluru, but during wet periods, the rock acquires a silvery-gray color, with streaks of black algae on the areas serving as channels for water flow.
Kata Tjuta, also called Mount Olga or The Olgas, literally meaning 'many heads' owing to its peculiar formation, is another rock formation about 25 km from Uluru. Special viewing areas with road access and parking have been constructed to give tourists the best views of both sites at dawn and dusk.
On 26 October 1985, the Australian Government returned ownership of Uluru to the local Pitjantjatjara Aborigines, with one of the conditions being that the Anangu would lease it back to the National Parks and Wildlife for 99 years and that it would be jointly managed.
The Aboriginal community of Mutitjulu (pop. approx. 300) is near the western end of Uluru. From Uluru it is 17 km by road to the tourist town of Yulara (pop. 3,000), which is situated just outside of the National Park.
 Climbers and warning sign
Climbers and warning sign
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Breeden, Stanley. 1994. Uluru: Looking after Uluru-Kata Tjuta - The Anangu Way. Simon & Schuster Australia, East Roseville, Sydney. Reprint: 2000.
Hill, Barry. The Rock: Travelling to Uluru. Allen & Unwin, St, Leonards, Sydney. ISBN 1-86373-778-2; ISBN 1-86373-712-X (pbk.)
Mountford, Charles P. 1965. AYERS ROCK: Its People, Their Beliefs and Their Art. Angus & Robertson. Amended reprint: Seal Books, 1977. ISBN 0-7270-0215-5.
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Detail of Uluru showing Skull Cave
Detail of Uluru showing Skull Cave
Uluru is more than 318 m (986 ft) high, 8 km (5 miles) around with a hard exterior compared to most other large rock formations which has prevented formation of scree slopes, resulting in the unusual steep faces down to ground level.
Uluru is often referred to as a monolith, and for many years it was even listed in record books as the world's largest monolith. However that description is inaccurate, as it is part of a much larger underground rock formation[1] which includes Kata Tjuta (also known as The Olgas) and Mount Connor. The world's largest monolith is Mt Augustus in Western Australia, which is more than 2.5 times the size of Uluru - it stands 858 meters above the surrounding plain, 1105 meters above sea level and covers 47.95 kmē.
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. The rock is made of sandstone infused with minerals like feldspar (Arkosic sandstone) that reflect the red light of sunrise and sunset, making it appear to glow. The rock gets its rust colour from oxidation. Rainfall is uncommon in the area around Uluru, but during wet periods, the rock acquires a silvery-gray color, with streaks of black algae on the areas serving as channels for water flow.
Kata Tjuta, also called Mount Olga or The Olgas, literally meaning 'many heads' owing to its peculiar formation, is another rock formation about 25 km from Uluru. Special viewing areas with road access and parking have been constructed to give tourists the best views of both sites at dawn and dusk.
On 26 October 1985, the Australian Government returned ownership of Uluru to the local Pitjantjatjara Aborigines, with one of the conditions being that the Anangu would lease it back to the National Parks and Wildlife for 99 years and that it would be jointly managed.
The Aboriginal community of Mutitjulu (pop. approx. 300) is near the western end of Uluru. From Uluru it is 17 km by road to the tourist town of Yulara (pop. 3,000), which is situated just outside of the National Park.
Climbers and warning sign
Climbers and warning sign
|
Breeden, Stanley. 1994. Uluru: Looking after Uluru-Kata Tjuta - The Anangu Way. Simon & Schuster Australia, East Roseville, Sydney. Reprint: 2000.
Hill, Barry. The Rock: Travelling to Uluru. Allen & Unwin, St, Leonards, Sydney. ISBN 1-86373-778-2; ISBN 1-86373-712-X (pbk.)
Mountford, Charles P. 1965. AYERS ROCK: Its People, Their Beliefs and Their Art. Angus & Robertson. Amended reprint: Seal Books, 1977. ISBN 0-7270-0215-5.
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