Uluru/Ayers Rock

Designated a national park in 1950, one of the best-known and spectacular places to visit in the Australian Outback is Uluru/Ayers Rock. Named in 1973 after the Chief Secretary of South Australia, Sir Henry Ayers, this awe-inspiring sandstone outcropping was designated, with the surrounding Uluru – Kata Tjuta National Park, as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983 and as a World Heritage cultural landscape in 1994. Rising from the desert floor, Uluru/Ayers Rock is 1141 feet ( 348m) high, 2.2 miles ( 3.6km) long, and 1.2 miles (1.9km) wide. As the light changes throughout the day, the rock appears to change color.

Sunset is the most dramatic time when the formation appears to glow red. If you are fortunate enough to be there during a seldom seen rain, the rock turns to a silver gray color with black streaks.

For those with a better than average fitness level, climbing up to the top of Uluru/Ayers Rock is a magnet. Although the aboriginal people, Anangu, ask that tourists respect their culture and refrain from climbing the rock, they do not interfere with those that do choose to make the assent. The climb is about an hour and, even though there are chain holds to make it easier, is not for the faint of heart. There have been about 35 deaths related to climbing, with most being heart attacks. The harsh environment does take its toll on climbers.

There are no accommodations at Ayers Rock. The only place to stay is about 15 km away at a designated town called Yulara, just outside of the park. Buses and planes travel daily to Ayers Rock from Alice Springs. A flood of more than 400,000 tourists visit Ayers Rock each year.

Ayers Rock shot to worldwide attention with the disappearance of Azaria Chamberlain in 1980. Her mother, Lindy Chamberlain, was accused of killing the 9-week old baby and was convicted of murder in 1982 only to be exonerated in 1988. She had maintained that a dingo had taken the child but media bias and public perception negated the findings of the first inquest. Subsequently, evidence was found to substantiate her innocence.

This geographical wonder is very close to the center of Australia and is steeped in aboriginal spirituality and is considered sacred. In 1985, the government returned the area to the local Pitjantjatjara Aborigines with the land being leased by the government for 99 years. Jointly managed, preservation of the area is the foremost concern to both the government and the Pitjantjatjara Aborigines.

One, even two days, is just not enough time to drink in all that this area has. Even the town of Yulara will take a day to explore, never mind the many walks, the incredible wildlife or the Kata Tjuta, the Olgas. Tour packages of two days are perhaps the least expensive way to see the area but ideally, a stay of three days or more gives you time to take in most of what this incredible area has to offer.

The Australian Outback awaits you. What are yo waiting for?