Mac Donnell Ranges On the return journey from the Amphitheatre, relax and enjoy the changing colours of the magnificent Western Mac Donnell Ranges. This part of the drive is a highlight in itself as the slanting rays of the afternoon sun illuminate the landscape.
Ayers Rock Ayers Rock is in the Northern Territory, Australia. It is located 450km south west of Alice Springs. It rises 867metres above sea level. It is 2.4km long and 1.6km wide. Ayers Rock consists of sandstone containing a lot of minerals. The Aboriginal name for Ayers Rock is Uluru which means great pebble. Aborigines decorate caves in the rock with paintings. The rock was discovered in 1872 by explorer Ernest Giles. William Gosse visited the rock in 1878 and named it after Sir Henry Ayers. Ayers Rock is a very nationalistic part of Australia because when people think of Australia they think of Aborigines and Ayers Rock. It's always on postcards and souvenirs. Thousands of tourists visit or climb the rock each year.
Ayers Rock Sightseeing
Olgas The Olgas (Kata Tjuta-Many Heads), of which Mount Olga 1069 metres above the plains is the largest, consist of a group of 30 or more domes covering 36 km due west of Ayers Rock. Olgas are formed of conglomerate stone fused together in fantastic and fascinating patterns. Olgas are also steeped in aboriginal myth, but the record is fragmentary only and unless some effort is made to preserve the legends, they will be lost forever.
Kata Tjuta Kata Tjuta Cultural Centre is at the base of Uluru. The Cultural Centre is located inside the Park on the main road to Uluru - 13km from the entry station and 2km from Uluru. At the Cultural Centre you can experience art and craft demonstrations, bush tucker sessions and free tours of the Tjukurpa display. Daily schedules vary, so ask at the Cultural Centre Information Desk. Browse through the centre's informative and interactive displays and aboriginal art gallery. Then join local aborigines for a cultural journey to Uluru along the liru walk. Learn traditional law, bush skills including making bush glue from local grasses and spearthrowers from the 'mulga' tree. You will enjoy exploring the Park much more if you know a little about Anangu culture and this semi-arid environment.
Uluru Climb The Uluru climb is the traditional route taken by ancestral Mala men upon their arrival to Uluru. Anangu do not climb Uluru because of its great spiritual significance. Anangu have not closed the climb. They prefer that you - out of education and understanding - choose to respect their law and culture by not climbing. A free Ranger guided Mala Walk is conducted daily from the base of Uluru. A Ranger will guide you along a shaded track, stopping to discuss Tjukurpa (Aboriginal law) stories associated with Mala ancestors, joint management, rock art, traditional Anangu lifestyle, history and the environment.
