Uluru / Ayer's Rock

Uluru / Ayer's Rock was a very predictable part of our trip and, at the same time, a very curious part of our trip.

At the center of Australia, in the middle of the outback, among dry bush and red dirt, is a giant rock. You might go there expecting it to be as big as a football field and as tall as an 8 storey building - that's not even close. It is taller than the eiffel tower and the walk around it is six miles (10 km) long.

It is composed of sandstone that has iron in it. The iron rusts, giving it that reddish orange color. It is called Uluru by the local tribe who have lived there for thousands of years. It was named Ayer's Rock by the Europeans when they found it in the 1800's.

The sentimental dreamer side of me marvelled at it's immensity, especially way out in the middle of flat dessert. As you walk around the it, you can imagine the shapes and contours of the rock as having almost living qualities. And as the sun hits it in different ways, the rock takes on pretty hues of orange.

Now, if you don't have a sentimental dreamer side, be warned: There is a local monopoly on hotels. There are a few hotels but all are under one owner. Consequently, we stayed in the cheapest, ant-infested, backpacker dorm room with bunk beds and no TV or phone. This room cost more than a room at upscale hotels on the Las Vegas Strip. We asked about nicer rooms here in Yulara. They would have been up to US$700 per night.

Also, when you do get to some of the more interesting viewpoints, they say, "Please don't take pictures of this section of the rock because the local tribes consider it sacred." (It's beyond me why it violates any sacredness to take a picture when you are standing 200 meters away from the rock.)

My sentimental dreamer side was brought back when talking with a tourist from Melbourne, Australia. He was particularly taken with Uluru / Ayer's Rock. He said, "This is the heart of Australia." Truly, it is an icon of Australia and I very much enjoyed being in the outback.