Uluru-Katatjuta National Park, Central Australia, Australia

Photos from the Real AUSTRALIA

Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, Central Australia

One of the best-known sights of Australia is "the largest pebble in the world", Ayers Rock or Uluru, as it has always been known to the local Aboriginal people, to whom "The Rock" has immense spiritual importance. They are the custodians of this important site, rich in mythology, with caves that are still off-limits to uninitiated people: there are signs warning visitors. The geological story of this extraordinary place is that about 600 million years ago movements of plates in the earth's crust pushed up mountains; subsequent heavy weathering, first by the actions of an inland sea and rain and later on by sun, wind and occasional rain has eroded most of this mountain away, leaving the summit of Uluru standing 348 metres above the plain (863 m above sea level); the Rock is 3.6 km long, with steep slopes. It probably extends a kilometre or more beneath the surface. The weathering continues, as can be seen by the "flaking" of the surface, caused by alternate heating in the sun and cooling at night. The red colour (that seems to change depending on the angle of the sun) is caused by a coating of iron oxide.

About 30 km west from Uluru is Kata Tjuta, meaning "many heads", with 36 individual rock domes that once may have been a single dome, much larger than Uluru: Mount Olga or, to the Aboriginal people, Wanambi-pidi, the highest point, rises about 550 metres above the plain (1066 m above sea level). It is also a site of great beauty and ceremonial significance. Some beautiful walks may be taken here, like the 6 km hike through the Valley of the Winds or Walpa Gorge: "walpa" means wind; it is the breath of Wanambi, the Rainbow Serpent, huge, brightly coloured, with a flowing beard, a mane and long teeth that lives here. On the summit of Uluru is a steep-sided rock hole, and this too is the home of an enormous Wanambi with a skin in the colours of the rainbow: a form he often assumes.

The traditional Aboriginal custodians are collectively called "Anangu" and are made up of three main groups: Pitjantjatjara, Yankunytjatjara and Ngaanyatjara. The cultural region of these desert peoples extends over huge distances as far as Western and South Australia. Fundamental to their way of life is "Tjukurpa". sometimes referred to as "Dreaming" by non-Aborigines, an all-encompassing term meaning Aboriginal Law and the explanations of the features of the land, among others. The various features of Uluru and Kata Tjuta are associated with the ancient beliefs and can be seen by walking; the Anangu prefer visitors walk around Uluru rather than climbing it: it's not without danger (there are plaques commemorating tourists who died here, mainly from falls and heart attacks) and, after all, it is a sacred place. Climbing Kata Tjuta is strictly forbidden. There are displays and demonstrations of Anangu culture at the Visitor's Centre in the township of Ayers Rock Resort (formerly Yulara) where accommodation, from camping sites to luxury hotels, may be found. The nearby Aboriginal community of Mutitjulu is not open to visitors.

And where to stay? Go to Hotel Reservations in Uluru.

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