63 Uluru Facts About The Iconic Rock Formation In Australia

Uluru is a natural sandstone formation located in Australia's northern territory.

Uluru is also called the Ayers Rock, and it's considered a sacred structure to the Aboriginal people of Australia, called the Pitjantjatjara. Aboriginals are indigenous peoples of the country, from various mainland and island parts of Australia.

This beautiful formation is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and has become a trendy tourist destination. Let's learn some cool facts about it!

If you enjoyed reading this article, then why not check out these Chimney rock facts and Mount Everest facts here at Kidadl.

Facts About Uluru

There are so many amazing facts you should know about Ayers Rock. Check this list below to see how much you already know.

• The entire sandstone structure is 1142 ft. (348.1 m) high.
• Most of the structure is below ground level.
• The entire perimeter of the sandstone is 5.8 mi (9.3 km).
• It was only in 1993 that the rock was renamed the Ayers Rock.
• The entire Uluru's mass is estimated to be about 1,425,000,000 tons (1292738254.5 m tons).
• This massive monolith is considered sacred.
• The Anangu are a group of Aboriginal people, which includes tribal groups.
• Ayers Rock became a national park in 1950.
• Both the Australian government and the Aboriginals help preserve the area.
• The region that surrounds this rock is full of rock caves, springs, waterholes, and ancient paintings.
• Did you know that the biggest monolith in the world is Uluru?
• A monolith is a structure formed from a single stone.
• You would need to walk for 3.5 hours to circle the rock.
• The entire circumference surrounding the rock is about 6.2 mi (10 km) long.
• To date, at least 37 people have died trying to climb the rock.
• In summer the temperature rises to 116.6°F (47°C) during the day.
• During winter, the temperature can drop to 19.4°F (−7°C) at night.

Significance Of Uluru

Uluru is not just any other national park in Central Australia. Here are some amazing facts :

• The aboriginal people had requested the government to ban people from climbing the Ayers Rock, Uluru.
• It's a holy place that holds a lot of cultural and sentimental significance for the local community.
• Uluru is so popular that Princess Diana and Prince Charles climbed the rock when they visited Australia in 1983.
• Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park hosts a large part of the flora and fauna varieties seen in Central Australia.
• This park also has many rare and endangered species living here.
• As a result, the national park is closely monitored and taken care of.
• One-third of the fees collected from tourists are given to the Anangu community.
• The park is usually closed when the aboriginals inside the area celebrate cultural festivals or events.
• The Aboriginals still live in the land surrounding Uluru, and they give guided tours of the rock to tourists.

Uluru's History

Check out the history behind the formation and popularity of this rock.

• Archaeological evidence found the aboriginal name in this region etched about 30,000 years ago.
• Since then, the aboriginal culture has grown and flourished here.
• In 1872, a European explorer named William Christie Gosse identified the Uluru rock.
• He named this sacred site 'Ayers Rock'.
• Ayers was the name of the then Chief Secretary of Southern Australia.
• During the '20s, the lands that surround Western Australia, the Northern Territory, and South Australia were all declared aboriginal reserves by the government.
• Such reserves forced aboriginals to live separately in government institutions, away from other people.
• In the '30s, people started hearing about this fascinating rock and started visiting it.
• By the late '50s, there were motels built around the area.
• In 1963, the government added a chain throughout the rock to help people climb it.
• Up until 1985, the government held ownership of this sacred place.
• In 1985, the government returned ownership of this popular destination to the local aboriginals of the area.
• It is said that the world's largest bird, the Emu, has lived in this region for many years.
• The Bilby is one of the oldest creatures to live in this region.
• Dingoes, the wild dogs, lived in and around Uluru.
• Goanna lizards also live in this region, and they feed on snakes and insects.
• The aboriginals had then leased the area to the government for 99 years.
• Up to 2019, people were just asked not to climb the Ayers Rock, but they were not banned.
• On October 26, 2019, the government completely banned climbing of all sorts.

Facts About Uluru's Formation

Did you know that the name Uluru means 'island mountain'? Here are other facts about the Uluru rock formation.

• Studies show that the rock was formed about 600 million years ago!
• Originally, it stood at the bottom of the sea.
• Over time, after the waterbody disappeared, the rock is now seen above the ground.
• Scientists believe that there are no connections or bedding on the surface of Uluru.
• That is why it is known as a 'smooth monolith'.
• Experts are of the opinion that there were other rocks surrounding Uluru.
• These all went through rapid erosion over time because their structures consisted of joints and bedding.
• Because of erosion, these rocks disappeared.
• The Ayers rock survived because of its smooth, joint-less surface.
• According to archaeological experts, the rock had a light gray color when it was young.
• Over time, the excess of iron content in the rock surface gave it a rusty color that is now synonymous with Ayers rock.
• Another landmark inside the national park is Kata Tjuta, which is also located in central Australia.
• This lies about 16 mi (25.7 km) from Ayers Rock, and these two rocks are the most prominent features of the Uluru National Park.
• Did you know that the original composition of rock was sand?
• Scientists say that the rock must have formed as an extension of the alluvial fan that was deposited in that region.
• An alluvial fan is an accumulation of sediments in a conical shape, forming mountain regions with time.
• The Anangu people are the rightful owners of Uluru.
• They have lent the land to the Australian government, which gives them an income and added security.

Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly facts for everyone to enjoy! If you liked our suggestions for 63 Uluru facts about the iconic rock formation in Australia, then why not take a look at Australian wildlife facts or Australia fires.