How was Uluru, Australia Formed?
Uluru is a monolith red massive sandstone rock located in the Uluru Kata Tjuta National Park, Northern Territory of Central Australia. Uluru is also called “Ayers Rock”, very close to Alice Springs just 355 Km away from Uluru.
According to history, Uluru formed around 550 million years ago through the process of erosion and depletion of the earth. As per research, locals believed that this red sandstone was made up of red rock over a period of time, along with feldspar and quartz contents.
You will never believe that today what you see seeing Uluru once was a shallow sea. Consistent filling of mud, sediments, sand and plant wastes is converting the sea into Redstone today. The pressure of Sediments is the core reason for to change in its physical appearance.
Around 500 million years ago, tectonic forces caused the land to uplift, bringing the sandstone layers above the surface. As the uplift occurred, the layers were tilted, resulting in the nearly vertical angle at which Uluru stands today.
Erosion plays a crucial role physical changes and outer shape of Uluru rock. Due to consistent wind, environmental fluctuations, rain and other environmental causes that are adversely affected to this massive red rock over a period of time. Not only Uluru but even Mutitjulu Waterhole is also affected too. It majorly affects rocks’ surfaces and crevices in the world.
The most interesting element of this massive rock is its color, which attracts millions of tourists every year. As per the study, sandstone contains iron minerals within, which are exposed when the movement of air and sunlight starts. That’s why its color is always red throughout the day time, its color changes slightly while during the sunrise and sunset.
Still today Anangu people (Indigenous tribal people) believe that this red rock is a more sacred place to them. Along with that Uluru has cultural and spiritual importance, which correlates to their daily life. Anangu people believe that they are the real owners of that land.
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Top 10 Things to Do in Uluru, Australia
1. Sunrise and Sunset Viewing
Never miss exploring the beauty of Uluru rock, especially during sunrise and sunset. During sunlight passes in a rock, its color changes slightly. The reason is to change the color of light which reflects the rock’s outer surface. Normally red to orange, but sometimes it changes to brown also, depending upon the variations in iron oxide. We are truly happy to say changing the colors of the rock, during sunrise and sunset is a fantastic view and memorable moment to an photographers.
2. Uluru Base Walk
If you are an adventure seeker and wish to take a tricky challenge, then Uluru Base Walk gives you some level of hiking tasks. Yes, the 6.2-mile Uluru loop trail is known to be quite a challenging task for visitors, yet interesting one. It takes more than 2 hours duration, starting from Mala Carpark where we can easily take leisurely walks around the base of Uluru. During your base walk, you are fortunate to explore ancient rock art, waterholes, and unique geological formations.
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3. Sounds of Silence Dinner
Sounds of Silence Dinner normally happens in Uluru during sunset, exploring the beauty of the natural surroundings of Tjuta National Park with wine and canvas (A sort of bread topped with savoury). Finally, your dinner can wind up with enjoying tea or coffee or a glass of port at Ayers Rock. Indulge in a gourmet buffet while your residue in astronomy guides to explore the southern night sky. Choose vegetarian dishes here with prior notice.
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4. Explore Maruku and Walkatjara Art
Maruku art contains paintings, wood carving, walka boards, crafts, tools and beautiful wooden accessories. Marku Gallery gives you a glimpse of Anangu Culture, which represent the lives of indigenous communities including, the Mutitjulu community and Western desert communities too.
Walkatjara Art Centre is completely owned and managed by the Mutitjulu community of people. It produces a good number of local Tjukurpa stories and paintings. Interestingly, they receive only 50% of the total profit of sales, the rest they spend to empower the Anangu culture and development of the Mutitjulu community. If you wish to purchase Maruku art stuffs, products are available in online stores.
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5. Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park Cultural Centre
A perfect place to know the real history of Uluru and the culture of the Anangu people. Both Maruku Gallery and Walkatjara Art Centers try to present a real picture of the indigenous communities of Uluru and their beloved ancient cultures. Maruku Gallery exhibits ancient tools including crafts, scripts and paintings, showing Anangu people who often called as traditional owners of Uluru.
6. Camel Ride
Somewhere you will experienced a Camel ride, especially places like the desert. But Uluru provides quite a unique camel ride, it help to catch up the change in the color of the red landscape when sunlight hits the desert. Camel rides during sunset and sunrise will give a panoramic view of Uluru and Kata Tjuta. Magical changes in the Uluru desert are a totally unique experience that provides a different perspective on the region’s beauty while riding on Camel.
7. Segway Tours
UNESCO World Heritage site, Uluru is also can be experienced and enjoy its beauty through Segway tour. Doing a Segway with a well-trained guide makes great fun and which help to encounter better perspective of its natural beauty within just 2.5 hours. Try to join a guided Segway tour nearby Uluru and get involved in the rock in a fun and exhilarating way. During Segway tours, your trained guide will explain some of the unknown facts of Uluru and Kata Tjuta National Park, including the culture of the Anangu people, the history of Uluru and its landscapes, flora and faunas and the geographical condition. Definitely, this could be a great option to learn the full perspective of Uluru, instead of walking or cycling.
8. Field of Light
Out of the total 10 things in Uluru, the Field of Light at Rock Resort is a crucial thing to enjoy particularly during night. As the name represents a place witnessing more than 50,000 lights is on, when dusk falls. The idea was first introduced by the Internationally acclaimed artist Bruce Munro when he first time visited Uluru. As dark on, thousands of illuminated glass spheres light up the desert, witnessing a beautiful era of a tranquilized atmosphere of these natural landscapes. It is a dream of many travelers to watch the beauty of Uluru while fields of lights are on.
9. Helicopter Ride
Since the geographical area is too vast and try to navigate the entire area within an hour, you just need to prefer a Helicopter tour. Explore gorgeous surrounding landscapes including aerial views of Uluru and Kata Tjuta National Park from different viewpoints. Here you can take a capture of Red Rock and National Park on 360 degree view. The cost of a Helicopter ride varies on the duration of travel.
For 15 Minutes- $180
For 25 Minutes- $295
For 36 Minutes-$360
10. Aboriginal Cultural Experiences
Engage in different Aboriginal cultures, which existed for the last 60,000 years could be the great idea to end up your journey here. One of the world’s oldest yet practicing and sustaining its cultures that never changed its original practices. Their traditional beliefs, faith and the law of life of their ancestors are passed from generation to generation even today. These cultural experiences will help us to learn about the value of process and appreciate Indigenous traditions. Even today cultures such as bush tucker walks, dot painting workshops or traditional dance performances are major sign of traditional values.
How to Get to Uluru, Australia?
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By Air
![🌏Ayers Rock (Uluru) Airport Landed - Northern Territory Australia 2021 [4K] - YouTube](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/aBcNKFiivgM/hq720.jpg?sqp=-oaymwEhCK4FEIIDSFryq4qpAxMIARUAAAAAGAElAADIQj0AgKJD&rs=AOn4CLABdoOO0R5RwHC5R7rGj4JALSkb9A)
The most convenient and fastest mode of transportation to Uluru, Australia for cross-border travelers. “Ayers Rock Airport” nearest Airport to Yulara, just a 20 to 25-minute drive to Uluru. There are many flights available to Uluru from Melbourne (Just 2 hours and 50 minutes of Journey to Yulara), Sydney (Just 3 hours Journey to Yulara) and Cairns (Just 3 hours of Journey to Yulara). Even flights from Brisbane, Adelaide, and Darwin are also available to Yulara.
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By Bus
The cheapest option for a traveler to reach the main entrance of Uluru is Public transportation or Bus. Keep in mind that you will not get a direct bus facility from major Australian cities, you should opt for a bus from Alice Springs or Ayers Rock Airport.
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Take a Car Tour
Most fascinating backpackers are willing to reach by their own car, especially nearby adventure seekers. If you are in Australia or nearby, then you better to prefer car. Whether you are from Sydney, Melbourne or Adelaide you have to wait a full 2 days to reach Uluru. The craziest transport option, Alice Springs, it is just a 5-hour car journey.
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How Old is Uluru?
After previous discussions, we came to know that Uluru has a long historical background. According to some research this massive red rock formed around “550 million years ago” through the process of erosion and depletion of the earth.
As you know Uluru was once a shallow sea, after continuous coverage of sand and mud that whole sea turned into Uluru landscapes and National Park. Today, it has become one of the most iconic tourist destinations for many visitors, not only from Australia even from the Europe and American continent. Every year more than 3 million people visiting to explore the natural beauty of red rock, culture and history local indigenous and multiple things to enjoy here.
Size of Uluru
Known as one of the world’s biggest single rock, Uluru stand as,
The height of 1,142 feet (348 meters).
Total Length of 2.2 miles (3.6 kilometers).
Total width of 5.8 miles (9.4 kilometers).
Such an massive monolithic rock covers total of 9.5 km of area coverages.
Ticket Price/ Entree Fees
There are 2 major ways to get advance ticket price or entree fees to Ulur Rock- Kata Tjuta National Park.
1. Visit official website to buy online passes.
2. Visitors also get Uluru tickets from Parks Australia official website. Additionally, “Parks Australia” help us to buy passes to visit both Kakadu National Park and Booderee National Park.
Quick facts about Uluru, Australia
- Uluru has been recognized twice as a UNESCO World Heritage site. One for its unique geological significance in 1987 and another one in 1997, for its cultural importance of Aboriginal Peoples.
- You cannot climb to the top of Uluru. Because climbing is strictly prohibited in order to respect the values and customs of local ancient Anangu people and their culture. From 2019 onwards they decided to remove chain guide systems.
- Uluru receives more than 300 mm of rainfall every year. Therefore, nearby surrounding landscapes look lush green and prosperous including waterfalls and lush green mountains.
- Taller than the Paris Eiffel Tower. Yes, the Eiffel Tower’s total height is 330 meters. When it is comes to Uluru’s its total height is more than that, 348 meters. Even taller than the Statue of Unity and major skyscraper buildings.
- You need total more than 3 hours of time to walk around the base. The hot dry desert and wind effect may push you back to spend more time exploring the base of Uluru landscapes. Along with its total area coverage of 3.4 km long, 1.9 km wide will also be a reason.
- Home to diverse range of species of Flora and Faunas. 400 unique sorts of plants, which are used by the Anangu people for medical and food purposes. 21 sorts of mammals including Kangaroos, Spinifex mice and dingoes are spotted through out this region.
- The total weight of the Uluru rock will be around 1,425,000,000 tons. Survey done by the Northern Territory Geology, Australia.
- You can also pronounce Uluru as Ayers Rock. During 1873, English explorers saw Uluru as apart from the Aboriginal community. He gave title as Ayers rock. (Ayers means Sir Henry Ayers, Ex-Chief Secretary of South America).
- Uluru was once a Shallow Sea. Yes, due to the continuous filling of mud and sand the whole sea turns into present landscapes.
- If you are an adult (18+) you have to pay $38 for a 3-day trip or you can purchase an annual pass of $50. Below 18 years of age are free to enter.
As a traveler, never miss exploring such a great place, places like this often considered as real natural wonders. Totally unique destination that exhibits to enjoy great view of the rock as well as offer opportunity to learn indigenous cultures along with adventures hiking, and thrilling things. I hope the above article win to give all the essential travel information regarding Uluru and its surrounding landscapes. Never miss this time to visit Uluru with your family. Thank you.
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