Ayers Rock (Uluru)
Nothing in Australia is as readily recognisably identifiable as Uluru (Ayers Rock), the world's biggest monolith. Australia's favorite postcard image is 3.6km long and rises to 348m from the surrounding sandy scrubland. It is believed that two-thirds of the Rock is beneath the sand.
This picture was taken from the plane as we flew to Alice Springs from Perth. The pilot circled the rock for views on both sides of the aircraft. The vegetation around is green and lush, which is very unusual. They have had rain recently , which is a five yearly event.
At first sight in the afternoon the rock looks ochre-brown in colour, scored and pitted by dark shadows.
It is most definitely one of life's 'wow' moments. Much larger, steeper and grander than any picture can convey.
The weather was overcast when we arrived, so we decided to go to the nearby Kata Tjuta (The Olgas). This is a bizarre collection of smaller, more rounded rocks. They stand 30kms to the west of Ayers Rock. They are less well known, and are in some ways more captivating.
We had walked about 6kms at Kings Canyon, climbing up the rim walk in the morning. We then set about an afternoon walk of 7.5km through the Valley of the Winds, which winds through gorges, giving surreal views of the domes. It was virtually deserted and enabled us to listen to the country and appreciate the sounds of the wind and bird calls carried up the valley.
We were pleased to see the car park after 2 hours!
The rocks are formed of red cemented conglomerate, and troughs between individual peaks are deep. Moisture is retained in these troughs, allowing for lush vegetation despite a very dry climate.
The flies are unbelievable
All the hills went up
Kairen listens to the wind
Flies again!
Back to Ayers Rock for our first attempt at the infamous sunset.
We sat and drank beer, munched crisps and despite all our encouraging words, the rock didn't really do it's thing properly. Better luck tomorrow evening?
We even got up really early, together with several hundred others, most of whom seemed to be Japanese munching Sushi!
What time is it?
even the climb up the rock......
was closed!
...so we drove around and went for some breakfast.
Click next below to find out!