Facts about Uluru
Perhaps Australia's most famous icon, the giant stone monolith of Uluru is located right at the centre of Australia and serves almost literally as Australia's heart.
Of great spiritual significance to Australia's indigenous people and an ever-popular travel destination not just for Aussies but those from all over the world, Uluru captures the mind and imagination with its ochre red beauty. Here are some quick facts about Uluru / Ayers Rock that you may not already know, first in graphic form and then in text:
Here are some more facts about Australia's iconic rock formation in the Northern Territory:
• Uluru was named "Ayers Rock" by Europeans in 1873 when William Gosse gave it its title after Sir Henry Ayers, the Chief Secretary of South Australia at the time
• Uluru was originally formed under the ocean, and gradually hardened over the course of hundreds of thousands of years
• The landmark has been officially known as "Uluru / Ayers Rock" since 2002 and stands as one of the few dual-named geographical features in Australia
• Uluru stands 348 metres above sea level at its tallest point (24m higher than the Eiffel Tower), yet it resembles a “land iceberg” as the vast majority of its mass is actually underground - almost 2.5km worth!
• Uluru is estimated to be around 600 million years old
• The greater Uluru area is considered a sacred site by native Aborigines, particularly the local Anangu tribe who are considered its traditional landowners
• Uluru was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site back in 1987
• The closest and largest town to Uluru is Alice Springs, which is around 450km away
• Uluru has one of the best sunsets in the country - in fact, it was voted in the Australia's Top 10 Sunsets - due to the amazing red that comes from a combination of the angle of the sun, minerals in the rock and the reflection of the surrounding soil
• If you're planning to enter the park, you'll have to pay a $25 entry fee per adult (kids can enter free), which lasts for 3 days
• You can read more about Uluru and the surrounding destinations in the Northern Territory by visitingNorthern Territory Tourism's website
Explore Uluru experiences
