Uluru, Ayers Rock or simply the Rock

Uluru

Uluru was named Ayers Rock  in 1873 by a surveyor William Gosse to honour South Australian chief secretary Sir Henry Ayers, prior to that it was known as Uluru by the Anangu people in Yankunytjatjara or Pitjantjatjara language. In my research I have found many differing meanings for Uluru, some say it is known as the meeting place , great pebble,  watering hole,  Earth mother or Rainbow dreaming, whilst some say that the word Uluru has some connection to the word shadow or shade and that Uluru is simply the place that encompasses the land area around this magnificent monolith. Whatever the case Uluru is truly spectacular.

Fact snap shot of Uluru:

• The first European person to climb Uluru was William Gosse. 
• Climbing Uluru is considered disrespectful by the local custodians as it crosses a sacred site.
• Ayers Rock was recognised as a national park in 1950.
• Nearest Urban Centre: Alice Springs, NT (437km away)
• Nearest Airport: Ayers Rock Airport (8.2km away) and the Alice Springs airport (Uluru is approx 450 km away)
• State: Northern Territory (capital: Darwin is 1395km away)
• Uluru is 862.5 metres above sea level and is approximately 342 metres high.
• Uluru has an area of 3.33 sq. km and a circumference of 9.4 km
• Local Aboriginal people  (Anangu) regard Uluru as a sacred site.
• Uluru is Australia's largest monolith.
• Uluru and Kata Tjuta are just the visible tips of massive rock slabs. 
• Between 400000 and 500000 people visit Uluru every year
• Winter nights can get as cold as negative 8 and summers days 48 degrees however middle of summer averages 38degrees

The Aboriginal custodians of Uluru call themselves Anangu, and ask you to do so, as well. They are often referred to as the Yankunytjatjara and Pitjantjatjara people.  Yankunytjatjara and Pitjantjatjara are actually the two languages spoken by the Anangu.

A visit to Uluru and  is a must for all Australian and international visitors. Uluru Tours can be purchased on Doittour.com and fantastic prices are guaranteed.