The most recognisable symbol of Australia just after Sydney Opera every year brings almost a million of visitors, who want to experience the magic of rock color changes during the sunset.
Uluru
Uluru it is a name given to the rock by Aborigens, who celebrate gender rituals in the shade of the sacred rock. It was discovered to the Western world by British-born explorer William Gosse in 1873n and named after South Australian governor Ayers Rock. At the beginning of 20th century it became the part of Aboriginal Reserve ( Petermann Reserve ) and in 1958 with the neighbouring area of The Olgas consisted the national park called at that time Ayers Rock – the Olgas National Park. In 1990′s the area has been given to local Anangu people , and the park renamed to Uluru – Kata Tjuta National Park.
The rock has been formed at least in Palaeozoic age (400-300 Ma) as an alluvial fan of a river, thus consists of amolgamant of various minerals in sandstone called arcose.
The famous red colour is connected with the presence of iron ore which oxidised into red with the time.
Due to its spiritual significance the local Aṉangu do not climb Uluru, and gently advise the visitors not to climb it either.
This suggestion does not stop the visitors, who use the chain-rope path leading to the top. Should you consider to climb Uluru, prepare accordingly to two hours climb in tough conditions. The path is also closed during the midday, when the rock temperature is too high and in case of heavy wind atop, thus the most popular is the climb around dusk time.