Uluru Rock, also called Aires Rock, is one of the largest monoliths in the world. It is located 18 km from the town of Yulara, in the Northern Territory of Australia, 450 km southwest of the city of Alice Springs.
The monolith, formed about 680 million years ago, reaches a height of 348 meters, its length is 3.6 km, its width is about 3 km. From afar, the Uluru monolith looks quite smooth, but near the surface unevennesses, cracks and numerous grooves are clearly visible, and the base is all rugged by caves with ancient cave paintings and stone carvings.
The traveler William Goss saw Uluru for the first time in 1873 and named it Ayers Rock after the governor of South Australia, Henry Ayers. But local residents insisted on returning the former name, which is now official.
The monolithic rock of Uluru is surrounded by legends and secrets, among the natives it is still considered sacred and is the venue for the rites. Archaeologists believe that the area near Uluru was inhabited by people as early as 10 thousand years ago, thanks to the key that springs from the ground and caves, which served as a refuge for ancient tribes.
Many tourists come here to enjoy the fantastic game of the color of the cliff of Uluru. Special properties allow it to change color depending on the lighting during the day. At dawn, the black silhouette of the monolith brightens, acquiring a dark purple hue, turns purple-red, turns pink, and then gold. By evening, the whole spectrum can be covered - from golden and pink-red shades to ruby, raspberry red and purple. This is because the monolith consists of red sandstone with a high content of feldspar and the presence of various iron oxides. Thanks to this set of substances, the mountain changes color during the day.
A special trail leads to the top of Uluru. From the lower third to the very top, racks are installed and chains are stretched. Those wishing to visit the famous rock can stay in the nearby town of Yulara.