Ayers Rock: Australia's Crown Jewel

By: Mon Chichi

Ayers Rock, Australia, which is now officially referred to by its native name "Uluru", is a colossal stone that ascends up out of the ground and looks down over the surrounding land in Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park in the Land Down Under. It is tremendously important to Australia, as both a powerful icon of the nation, and as a location with intense cultural and divine connotation to the local aboriginals.

Ayers Rock (Uluru) and the entire Kata Tjuta National Park is governed together by the native Anangu natives and Parks Australia. The Anangu population revere Uluru since in this inhospitable wilderness area, the stone serves as a source of water. Additionally, it is greatly evocative of their long-established customs and mythology, a central part in which it has always played.

Ayers Rock is formed from layers of solid sandstone. It looks to be an orangey colour, or brownish-red, because of the effects of oxidization on the sandstone. On the north-west and south-east sides of the massive rock, erosion has formed tight paths for water to pass through, so following torrential rain these passageways get filled with water from the skies and pour out by flowing into waterfalls that splash the soil down below. This became the place where the Ananga obtained most of their water.

Uluru gives incredible views of the inhospitable land near it, and it's entertaining to explore the summit. It can, however, be dangerous to climb all the way to the high point because of the steepness of the climb, lack of appropriate trails, and incredibly powerful winds that sometimes come. Every year someone dies attempting to climb up to, or descend from, the summit. The local authorities discourage climbing, and unless you are an experienced outdoorsman and climber then you ought to think about a helicopter tour that can safely carry you so you can witness the vast views with no need of putting yourself in danger.

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