The difference between Uluru and Ayers Rock is nothing except the former was named by the Aborigines and the later by the Europeans who came later. Located 280 miles from Alice Springs, we took a bus.
The bus trip provided the means to see more of the Outback. On the way we saw cattle with no fences, wild camels with no boundaries, and a place that breeds camels and allowed us to take a ride.
He rides a little high
It is estimated that there are over 300,000 feral camels in Australia. They were brought here in the 1800s for colonization of the Outback. They have done quite well surviving here.
But what goes up, must come down.
We got to Uluru in time to celebrate sunset at the rock with a champagne reception.
Martin, Chuck and Cindy in front of Uluru
Uluru is a sandstone formation in the center of the Outback. It is a holy place for the Anangu tribe of Australia’s aboriginal people. It wasn’t even seen by the Europeans until 1873. They renamed it Ayers Rock.
Uluru
Today it stands over 1100 feet high in the desert, but it once stood at the bottom of the sea. It is estimated to be over 600 million years old.
Uluru is a beautiful backdrop for photography
The monolith is over 2 miles long and 1.2 miles wide. It was formed as the hard rock of a mountain left over from the erosion of the softer parts of the mountain. It has a lot of iron, thus its red color.
Its rock formation make it special.
The next day we visited the rock, learning about the dreamtime (creation) stories that the formations describe for the local tribe. It also made a wonderful place for photography. Uluru is located in the Uluru/Kata-Tjuta National Park.
In this creation story the rocks form the body of a large snake. His head is above his body, which is above the people walking below.
The next day we traveled to another nearby rock formation called Kata-Tjuta/the Olgas. This was a group of dome shaped rocks, one of which was over 1,700 feet high. The rocks were once parts of a single monolith.
Chuck in front of Kata-Tjuta
I was impressed that my youngest daughter knew all about Uluru. I had never heard of it. I loved it, but Chuck after seeing the second formation said, “I think I’ve seen enough rocks now.”
Other than the Sidney Opera House, Ayers Rock may be the most iconic of Australian landmarks.
So very true. Those two and their vicious animals.
A-it’s SYDNEY
and
B-what vicious animals?? I’ve lived in Australia for all of my nearly 69 years and NEVER had a run-in with any native animals……Take care, give animals etc their right of way & respect (even sharks-it’s their environment after all). I live in a country town and grew up in the far Outback (where I NEVER saw a snake!). I’ve seen ONE snake out of containment in my whole life. I’ve never been in water at the beach when there’s been a shark. My family looked after a kangaroo when I was young- she was a sweetie. Don’t pester the wild life and it will leave you alone.
We DON’T have lions and tigers…..
On a trip to the USA, we were stunned by the myths that abound- too much TV and movies that spread fairy tales. Our country is no more dangerous than others, and much less than most!!
I stand corrected on so many levels. Thank you. I never saw them either except for the saltwater crocs from the air on our aerial tour. They were on the banks of a river. Thankfully, I never came into direct contact with any of them. I will find my misspelling of Sydney and make the correction. Have a wonderful evening.