Australia - 3 - Uluru

 Sunday, 2 April, and Monday, 3 April 2023

Uluru, formerly known as Ayers Rock, is a large red monolith in southwestern Northern Territory. We spent two days here in the hot, dusty "Red Centre".

Uluru as seen from the air as we approached Ayers Rock Airport.

Uluru

As you get closer to the monolith, it's easy to understand why Aboriginals consider it a sacred place. In 1985 the national park was returned to the original custodians of the area, the Anangu people. Today the land is leased back to the Australian government and jointly managed.

A cascade of water cuts down through the sandstone.

This scar shows the steep route climbers used to take to the top of the rock.  While climbing was discouraged for a long time, it was finally completely banned on 29 October 2019.

While there are several trails around Uluru, the Mala walk is a short trail that gets up close to the rock. Several areas are particularly sacred/sensitive and photography is not allowed in these areas.

The Mutitjulu waterhole at the end of the Kuniya walk, another short trail at Uluru. Both trails have numerous signs informing about local flora, fauna, and Anangu creation stories.

The "Family Cave" on the Kuniya walk.

Art

The caves (formed by overhanging rock) have quite a few petroglyphs. Many of the sites seem to be "teaching caves" where the art illustrated important stories and practical learning as the knowledge was passed from generation to generation.

Artwork in the "family cave" at Uluru.

Today, artists sell their work in parking lots around Uluru and on the lawns at the Ayers Rock Resort. There are also several galleries where the better-known artists exhibit and sell. This is a piece of art I purchased - it shows the Milky Way as a celestial river with seven sisters (Pleiades to the western world) and one bad man.

Just outside the national park, British artist Bruce Munro has an art installation, "Field of Light". After sunset and before sunrise the desert is filled with lights that subtly change in color and intensity.

A closer look at the globe lights and lighted wires that make up "Field of Light".

The eastern horizon is beginning to lighten behind the "Field of Light".

Sunrise and Sunset

Sunrise and sunset lend their special light to Uluru.

Uluru at sunset.

Turn around for the sunset.

Sunrise behind the "Field of Light".

Uluru at sunrise.