Uluru: The second biggest rock on the planet

Posted by Merlin Jakes on December 11th, 2018

The second biggest rock on the planet. Basically.

Imagine an enormous rock. No, bigger than that. Way bigger, over a thousand feet high: almost 2.5 times the height of the Sydney Harbour Bridge and about 10km in circumference. Done? Now try imagining it changing colours. Yes, changing colours. Seems like stuff of fairy tales, doesn’t it? Well, what if we say it’s real? Say hi to a UNESCO World heritage Site, and home to the world’s second largest monolith: Uluru.

Existing within the Uluru–Kata Tjuta National Park located in the middle of the Australian outback, the monolith lies 450 km southwest of the nearest town Alice Springs by road. This sandstone rock formation measuring 348 meters in height and 9.4 km in circumference is one of Australia’s most recognizable and sought-after sightseeing destinations.

The most attractive feature of the formation is its striking red colour that appears during sunrise and sunset and changes hues throughout the day. It is owed to the fact that the monolith is dominantly composed of Arkose: a type of sandstone abundant in Iron Oxide, or in layman terms, rust.

You can read up more about the magnificence of the monolith on the internet and imagine what it could look like, or you can experience the magical beauty of it first-hand, during one of your Uluru sightseeing day tours.

Uluru is sacred, and of great cultural significance to the Aboriginal people of the area. It is for the same reason that they discourage climbing Uluru, and also prohibit photographing certain areas that are related to their beliefs and traditions. Don’t be discouraged though, even with the restrictions, you’ll have plenty of the rock left to see and click pictures with!

Tour guides, during one of your day trips will tell you the many legends and local stories that exist as to the creation of the monolith. Ranging from the workings of ancestral creator beings to earth itself rising up in grief to a great bloodshed that ensued when two tribes waged a war against each other, these stories will definitely make you question what you know about the place.

Another major destination near Uluru is Kata Tjuta. Also known as Mount Olga, this group of large rocks is of equal significance to the Aboriginal people, and is a major sightseeing destination in itself.

Do make it a point to visit Kata Tjuta during your Uluru sightseeing tour, to complete your experience. The list of things to do once you’re at Uluru is definitely long. Ranging from Uluru base walks, cycling, and camel rides, to visiting the cultural centre, bird-watching and bushwalking, there is something here for everyone.

Special viewing areas for sunrises and sunsets, and road access coupled with ample parking area will make sure that your experience here is always unhindered.

So there you have it: a giant magical rock that turns red at times. That alone should get you started on planning your next vacation. Be it for the myths or for the sights, you can visit Uluru and go sightseeing for its many experiences, all as intriguing as the next. Or for one of the most magical sunrises you will ever have witnessed.