On our third day at Uluru we got up early once again and drove out to see the sunrise. This time we chose a closer vantage point and we came prepared with more snacks, layers and blankets. Brian backed our rental car up to the view and put the seats down so the girls could make a cozy nest. They loved it! They each brought a notebook for drawing.
Brian and I enjoyed getting a new vantage point. Uluru looks different from each side.
The morning light on Uluru really shows off the sedimentary layers in the sandstone.
We also got good views back over toward Kata Tjuta.
At 8am we joined a guided walk along the base of the rock.
Our guide showed us a cave with rock art. He explained how the traditional land owners of the Anangu tribe came to this space to make paintings and retell the traditional stories. I enjoyed hearing more about the significance of Uluru for Aboriginal people.
While Brian and I enjoyed hearing about native land use, fauna and flora the girls made quick friends with a pair of british sisters and happily walked hand in hand.
Our guide told us a little about the geology of the area. Uluru formed from sedimentary layers that then got turned on end through the movement of plate tectonics. The red color comes from the oxidation of the iron in the stone. In plain terms the rock is rusting.
The Kata Tjutas (pictured below) formed as a conglomerate. They also formed through sedimentation but with rocks, mud and other materials in the mix.
Sunrise and sunset enhance these reds because the sun comes in at an angle and the atmosphere filters more of the blue from the light.
Either way, it makes for a lot of red dust on shoes, clothes and everything else!
I enjoyed seeing Uluru up close and appreciating all the hidden nooks and crannies.
Our guide showed us a pool of water that acts as a year round water source - quite a scarcity in the Outback.
For fifty years or so tourists were encouraged to climb Uluru. They even put in a rope line for people to hold onto. These days the rangers discourage climbing out of respect for the holy nature of the site for Aboriginal people.
Brian explored part way up the mountain and confirmed that the view looking out pales in comparison to the view of Uluru.
I'm thrilled we made this trip. It really helped round out our Australian experience. While I know we have only scratched the surface of this dear country we have already seen more of it than many Australians. We even finally got a chance to get a picture with a famous kangaroo crossing sign.
I'll leave you with this parting shot of Uluru from above.
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