Ayers Rock - Uluru

Ayers Rock - known to the aboriginal people as Uluru - is one of the most well-known features of the Australian landscape and a popular tourist attraction. It is also of great importance in the native culture and the legends of the Dreamtime.

What Is Ayers Rock?

In modern scientific terms, Ayers Rock is a large sandstone rock formation in the Northern territory of central Australia. The Rock is just the outward protrusion of a larger underground rock formation. This visible section is some 350 metres high and 8 km around, a truly impressive natural wonder.

There is almost no vegetation on the rock which is covered with rain grooves along its sides as well as caves, pools, etc.

One of the features of Ayers Rock is the almost magical way in which it seems to change colour and even glow as light hits it from different angles.

The Rock is today part of the Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park.

Uluru Legends

The land means much to the aboriginal people so it is no surprise that a feature as prominent as Uluru should be of great importance in their culture and legends.

The local people are the Anangu. You may have heard them referred to as Yankunytjatjara or Pitjantjatjara - these are two of the languages they speak.

Uluru is considered to hold a record of the Dreamtime activities of the Ancestors - actually, all the land is such a record, Uluru is simply amongst the most spectacular. The grooves on its sides are believed to be the tracks left by the Ancestors and various features of the mountain are sacred to specific spirits. These spirits can sometimes be communicated with when touching these features, however this should not be attempted by outsiders without permission and guidance from the native people.

There is a legend that Uluru was formed as a result of a great battle. Two tribes of ancient spirits were invited to a feast but were distracted by Lizard Women and failed to turn up. This slight to the hosts resulted in battle and many were slain. Uluru rose up as a mark of the grief of the land at this bloodshed.

Another legend says that the scars on the sides of Uluru were formed during great wars between tribes of lizard people. There is clearly a connection - lizard people - between these two legends. The full story is probably known only to the local Anangu who pass on the tales between the generations.

Because Uluru is a sacred site the Anangu request that visitors show respect by not climbing it. Some people believe it is unlucky to take away rocks from Uluru as souvenirs. Even if it were not unlucky it would certainly be disrespectful.

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