Uluru (Ayers Rock)

What were we thinking?  We drove 9 hours (round trip) to see a rock!  Actually, it was pretty cool.  One of the many landscapes that identify Australia, a have to see destination.  I just wish it hadn’t been so far off the path, deep into the Outback. 

Here’s a little tidbit I found online about Uluru:

Uluru (English pronunciation: /ˌuːluːˈruː/), also known as Ayers Rock, is a large sandstone rock formation in the southern part of the Northern Territory.  For many people, the image of Uluru has become a national symbol for Australia and the natural and cultural heritage of the park has been recognized by the inscription of the park on the World Heritage List.

 

Uuru is sacred to the Anangu, the Aboriginal people of the area. This listing honors the traditional belief system of Anangu - one of the oldest human societies on earth.

 

 

The day we went out it was pretty windy so climbing to the top wasn’t an option because of the winds at the summit.  I was actually glad this was the case so the boys wouldn’t want to do it.  You can’t really tell from these pictures, but it’s extremely steep going up and I’m sure coming down would be even worse.  I’m also sure you’d have to hold on to the rail (Ian called it the iron rod) just to pull yourself up.  If you lost your footing and somehow managed to let go of the handrail you’re done.  There’s absolutely nothing you can grab onto as you fall.  According to the literature provided at the Cultural Center, 35 people have died climbing it. 

We chose to stay on the ground and did the hike that went around the rock.  The information we were given said it was 9.4k so we figured that was just over 5 miles and we could do it pretty easy.  Unfortunately, about a third of the way around we realized this was going to be harder than we thought.  Turns out it’s closer to a 7 mile walk – (ooops, missed that in the brochure) with only a few spots you can stop to rest and only one water spicket along the way.  The combination of heat, flies, and lack of water were a bit overwhelming but we managed to plot along till the end. At one point I thought about the pioneers trekking across the plains and wondered if this might have been what it was like.  

 

 

 

Because it’s so far out to see Uluru, you have to fill up on the way out and back just to make it. The gas is so expensive ($7.45/gallon) as compared to the $1.49 ($5.63/gallon) a liter we normally pay.  I don’t know it’s because they have a captive audience or because they’re out in the middle of nowhere (200k to the nearest civilization which is Alice Springs).  The best part of the trip was the chocolate milk we picked up on the way home – even though it was $4.95 for 500 ml (1.05 pints or just over 2 cups).

All in all it was a good day. I’m glad we made the drive, I’m just not sure I’d take the hike a second time.