JC. Princen The Ayers rock in Australia is also known as Uluru and is a large sandstone monolith. This colossal figure of nature is located in the Uluru-Kata Tjuta national park of central Australia. This wonder of nature is considered to be a holy site for the Anangu people who are the indigenous aboriginal people of the particular area. The uniqueness and beauty of this great sandstone formation has led it to be declared as a UNESCO world heritage site.
The name Ayers rock was given to this great monolith which was otherwise called as Uluru by the locals; in honour of Sir Henry Ayers who was the chief secretary of South Australia then. The name was given by a surveyor named William Gosse who came across the monolith in the year of 1873.
The Ayers rock is one of the natural landmarks of the country which is synonymous of Australia. This great monolith is about 348 meters high from the ground and when it is measured with respect to sea level is 863 meters. The height of this great monolith is not the only astounding character, the 9.4 km circumference that is has adds to the charm. The Uluru also has a network of underground tunnels as most the bulk of the monolith lies underground.
The beauty of this place is truly unmatched especially during twilights. The place has a magical charm to it which is brought about by the play of colours that takes place on the rock. The transition of colours that takes place according to the change in position of the sun is simply phenomenal. The transition of colours is notably great during the time of sunrise and sunset when it the colour of the monolith is a remarkable red.
As the Ayers rock is located within the premises of a national park the flora and fauna that surrounds the place is quite many. However it has been said that out of the 46 historically known native mammals that inhabited these areas only 21 currently remain. Some of the mammals that one can sight around the monolith are the great desert skink, the marsupial mole, woma python, black flanked Rock Wallaby, common brushtail possum etc. The flora that grows around this place would consist of Adders tongue fern, Bloodwood, Mulga and a wide variety of rare plants too.
The many cave paintings that one can see on the walls of the caves of the rock suggest that the rock was inhabited by the indigenous people’s ancestors centuries ago. This particular rock holds sentimental as well as religious value for the Aboriginal people. Though one may be able to climb the rock the aboriginal people discourage it for they believe that it is a sacred place that should not be climbed on. Legends have it that when people take away stones from the rock as souvenirs they carry a curse along with them. So as the saying goes “when in Rome do as the Romans do” one should respect the sentiments of the indigenous people and abide by their rules. There are many other legends associated with this rock and each legend is as interesting as the other.
All in all this great rock that stands majestic over the plains is something that one should visit and see. Take a hike around it and do not forget to stay till sundown when here for it is during this time that the Ayers rock in Australia unfolds its magic.
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