"The Rock in Australia" Uluru National Park (Ayers Rock) by Restless-in-kl

Uluru National Park (Ayers Rock) Travel Guide: 460 reviews and 1,271 photos

The rock at sunset - Uluru National Park (Ayers Rock)
The rock at sunset
Ayers Rock - Dream time

Even from a distance, Ayers Rock or Uluru (its Aboriginal name) is very impressive. Named after the Premier of South Australia, Sir Henry Ayers, it extends down over 3 and a half miles beneath the surface. It's also more than 318 m (986 ft) high and 8 km (5 miles) around.

Approximately 500 million years ago it was part of the ocean floor at the center of Australia. Depending on the time of day and the atmospheric conditions, the rock can dramatically change color, anything from blue to violet to glowing red, making it a delight for photographers all over the world.

Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park
Ticket - Uluru National Park (Ayers Rock)

Ticket

This park where Ayers Rock is located, is owned and run by the local Aboriginals. As you walk slowly around it, there is a sense of mystery, history and sacredness. It is no wonder that the Aboriginals are strongly protective of this magnificent wonder.

The Aborigines believe that there it is hollow below ground, and that there is an energy source that they call 'Tjukurpa' the dream time.

Ayers Rock (Mount Uluru) is inhabited by dozens of ancestral 'beings' whose activities are recorded at many other sites. At each site, the events that took place can be recounted, whether those events were of significance or whether the ancestral being just rested at a certain place before going on.

Usually, there is a physical feature of some form at each ancestral site which represents both the activities of the ancestral being at the time of its formation and the living presence of Tjukurpa within that physical feature today. For the Australian Aboriginal people, that physical feature, whatever its form or appearance, animate or inanimate, is the Tjukurpa. It may be a rock, a sand hill, a grove of trees, a cave. For all of these, the creative essence remains forever within the physical form or appearance.

Kings Canyon
Kings Canyon - Uluru National Park (Ayers Rock)

Kings Canyon

Often overshadowed by Ayers Rock, Kings Canyon located in Watarrka National Park has an interesting landscape that's desert-like with steep canyons, rock formations and interesting flora and fauna.

Pros and Cons
  • Pros:One of a kind formation with rich mystical stories
  • Cons:Very expensive accommodation with limited choices
  • In a nutshell:A sight to behold
  • Last visit to Uluru National Park (Ayers Rock): Jun 2000
  • Intro Updated Feb 23, 2006
  • Add to Trip Planner (?)
  • Report Abuse

Reviews (10)

Canyon scenery - Uluru National Park (Ayers Rock) Walk the Kings Canyon Things to Do (3)

Its beauty is found in the subtly of the land. The brilliant sunsets of the bush, as well as the crystal clear night... more travel advice

Rock designs - Uluru National Park (Ayers Rock) Only place to stay Hotels (2)

Ayers Rock Resort has various type of accommodation to fit different budget - Sails in the Desert Hotel (most expensive,... more travel advice

Sandstone - Uluru National Park (Ayers Rock) Staining from Ayers Rock Warnings and Dangers (3)

Ayers Rock is a large sandstone formation. It's rich, orche colour leaves stains on unsuspecting visitor's shoes and... more travel advice

Ayers Rock sunrise - Uluru National Park (Ayers Rock) Ayers Rock at Sunrise Things to Do (3)

It's absolutely worthwhile to wake up at 4am in the morning, wrap yourself well in jackets, go to The Rock with your car... more travel advice

Comments (2)

  • Reply
    Mandy23's Profile Photo
    Feb 26, 2006 at 9:00 PM

    Nice page. Would love to go there one day.

  • Reply
    Tattugran's Profile Photo
    Feb 24, 2006 at 12:11 AM

    very good points. and yes we should respect the aboriginals ....it was there land till the government took it

Restless-in-kl's Related Pages

Uluru National Park (Ayers Rock) Travel Guide

 
Explore the World
Travel Destinations
Restless-in-kl's Profile Photo

Restless-in-kl

“Love life!”

Online Now

Top 1,000 Travel Writer
Member Rank:
0 0 8 0 0
Forum Rank:
0 4 1 4 9

Badges & Stats in Uluru National Park (Ayers Rock)

  • 10 Reviews
  • 9 Photos
  • 0 Forum posts
  • 2 Comments
  • 894PageViews
  • See All Stats
  • See All Badges (7)

Have you been to Uluru National Park (Ayers Rock)?

  Share Your Travels  

Latest Activity in Uluru National Park (Ayers Rock)

Photos in Uluru National Park (Ayers Rock)

See All Photos (9)

Top 10 Pages

See All Travel Pages (66)

Friends

See All Friends (9)

Travel Interests

See All Travel Interests (5)

Latest Uluru National Park (Ayers Rock) hotel reviews

Sails in the Desert Ayers Rock Resort
594 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: May 16, 2013
Desert Gardens Hotel
552 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: May 16, 2013
Outback Pioneer Hotel
446 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: May 17, 2013
Ayers Rock Campground
138 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: May 14, 2013
The Lost Camel Hotel
2 Reviews & Opinions