Uluru (Ayers Rock)

Uluru, or as its often known, Ayers Rock, is a large, sacred, sandstone structure in Central Australia.
At 1142ft (348m) high, and 5.8mi (9.4km) in circumference, it is undoubtedly one of Australia’s most recognisable
landmarks. Throughout the day, Uluru appears to change colour, ranging in hue from brown and pink, to delicate
mauve, and sometimes even fiery red. Impressively, the visible part of Uluru is just the tip of an enormous
underground slab.

The History of Uluru
Steeped in history, archaeological evidence suggests that Uluru has been home to aboriginal people for at least
20,000 years. It’s long been an area of great cultural significance to its indigenous owners, the Anangu.
The Anangu believe that they are the direct descendants of those who created all the distinct features and
living things in the desert landscape you see today. As such, they firmly regard themselves as responsible for
the protection and maintenance of these ancestral lands.
In 1873, William Gosse named Uluru, Ayers Rock, after the Chief Secretary of South Australia at the time,
Sir Henry Ayers. Many years later, in 1950, the Ayers Rock – Mount Olga National Park was formed. Then in 1985,
the Australian government handed the title back to its rightful owners, the Anangu, on the provision that it
would be leased back for a period of 99 years and jointly managed. This led to the adoption of a dual naming policy
in 1993, resulting in the now official name of ‘Uluru / Ayers Rock’.