Some may be familiar with Uluru as the Ayers Rock, which is a large sandstone rock formation found in central Australia. It is about 348m high with a circumference of 9.4km. Uluru is regarded as a sacred place for the Aboriginal people. William Gosse in 19 July 1873, named this as Ayers Rock in honour of Sir Henry Ayers who was the chief secretary of South Australia then. The significance of Uluru is the ability to change colour at different times of the day and year. Another in this territory is the Kata Tjuta which is also known as Mount Olga 25km west of Uluru.
Uluru is often known as a monolith and what is remarkable here we find is its homogeneity and lack of jointing and parting at bedding surfaces, leading to the lack of development of scree slopes and soil. Composition of Uluru is also fascinating. It is mainly made of coarse grained arkose which is a type of sandstone with abundance of feldspar and some conglomerate. Feldspar found here is mostly K-feldspar. Minerals found here give evidence that they were derived from a predominantly granite source, similar to the Musgrave Block exposed to the south. There are interesting stories twisted round Uluru with origins from the native Aboriginal people. According to one of the stories, the world was once a featureless place and creators in human forms came here and created life. Anangu land is still inhabited by these ancestral spirits which are referred to as Tjukuritja or Waparitja. Another belief is that those who take rocks from the rock formation will suffer misfortune.
Evidence had been found to reveal that there have been human settlements since 10,000 years ago. Uluru was first mapped in 1872 by Europeans for exploring expeditions. During 1930s, Anangu became involved in dingo scalping with ‘doggers’ who introduced Anangu to European foods and ways. In 1920, part of Uluru – Kata Tjuta National Park was declared an Aboriginal Reserve and tourists started to pour in since 1936.
There are around 46 species of native mammals found living near Uluru.Bat population comprises around seven species living within the caves and crevices of Uluru and Kata Tjuta. 73 species of reptiles and 4 species of frogs at the base of Uluru and Kata Tjuta are found. Of the 27 mammal species found in the park, six are introduced: the house mouse, camel, fox, cat, dog and rabbit. Mulga, Centralian Bloodwood, Adder’s Tongue ferns, buffel grass are found here.
Travellers’ Guide
If you are planning to visit Uluru, it is found in the southern part of the Northern Territory, 335km south west of Alice Springs; the nearest town.
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