ULURU
Uluru, also known in the past as Ayers Rock, is one of the most famous natural landmarks in Australia. It is a giant sandstone rock formation that rises dramatically from the flat desert in the Northern Territory.
Key facts about Uluru:
Height: About 348 metres tall (taller than the Eiffel Tower!).
Length: Around 3.6 kilometres long.
Age: Scientists believe it formed more than 500 million years ago.
Colour: It appears to change colours during the day – from red to orange to purple – depending on the sunlight.
Cultural Importance:
For the Anangu people, the Aboriginal community of the area, Uluru is a sacred site. They believe it was created by ancestral beings during the Dreamtime, their spiritual creation period. Many caves and rock paintings around Uluru tell their ancient stories.
Name and History:
The word Uluru comes from the Anangu language and is the original name of the rock. It does not have a direct English translation, but it is the proper Aboriginal name for this sacred place.
When Europeans arrived, they renamed it Ayers Rock in 1873 after Sir Henry Ayers, a British official.
In 1985, the Australian government returned ownership of Uluru to the Anangu people. Since then, its official name is Uluru, and Ayers Rock is rarely used today.
Modern Recognition:
Uluru is part of the Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Climbing Uluru was once common, but since 2019 it has been banned out of respect for the Anangu people’s wishes.
Today, visitors can walk around its base, learn Aboriginal stories, and enjoy its breathtaking beauty.
Why is Uluru special?
It is one of the world’s largest monoliths (a single large rock).
It is both a natural wonder and a spiritual symbol of Australia.
Many people call it the “SPIRITUAL HEART OF AUSTRALIA ”, and some even describe it poetically as the “CENTRE OF THE UNIVERSE ” because of its energy and sacred importance.
✨Uluru teaches us to respect both nature and culture. Some places are not just beautiful—they are sacred, carrying the wisdom of ancient people.
