How old is Uluru?

Uluru is one of the most iconic natural attractions in Australia.

Uluru is in the Red Centre of the Northern Territory. Uluru started to form about 550 million years ago. Uluru now has a fascinating history and is one of Australia’s most popular attractions. More than 250,000 people visit Uluru every year. When travellers come to Uluru, they learn about the culture and history.

How was Uluru formed?

About 500 million years ago before Uluru was formed the area became covered in the sea. All the sand and mud fell to the bottom of the water. The sand and mud covered the seabed and the alluvial fans. These fans are sediments that flow from larger amounts of sediment like sand or gravel. Because of the sand and mud, turns the alluvial fans into rock. The alluvial fan which was made from sand became sandstone. This sandstone was the start of Uluru.

Around 400 million years ago the sea went away. Uluru titled 90 degrees because of the tectonic plates shifting over the years. Then in the last 300 million years, Uluru slowly became what we see it as today. Some of the softer rocks on Uluru were eroded over millions of years.

Who owns Uluru?

The Anangu people are the Traditional Owners of the Uluru and Kata Tjuta National Park. There is evidence that the Anangu people have lived in this area for more than 30,000 years. Now the Australian Government leases the land from the Anangu people. Both sides work together on the national park. The Anangu people share traditional knowledge, and the government uses modern science. Using a mix of traditional knowledge and science helps conserve the culture, wildlife, plants, and landscapes of the area.

Uluru Base Walk

Uluru Base Walk is the most popular walk in Uluru and Kata Tjuta National Park. The Uluru Base Walk is about 10 kilometres and can take about three to four hours to complete. It’s recommended to have completed the walk before 11 AM. The heat can get up to as high as 47 degrees Celsius during the wet season.

On the walk, you’ll see incredible rock formations on Uluru and landmarks along the way. Towards the start of the walk, you’ll come across the teaching cave Kulpi Nyiinkaku and Kantiju Gorge. Anangu Elders used the teaching cave to teach Nyiinka bush boys how to travel and survive in the country. Then you see the Mututjulu Waterhole which is one of the few permanent water sources around Uluru. This is a great spot to stop for a moment, watch out for any wildlife and listen to nature.

Cameron Ward

Managing Director at Sightseeing Tours Australia

Cameron Ward turned his travel passion into a thriving Australian tourism business. Before he co-founded his own business, Sightseeing Tours Australia, he was enjoying being a Melbourne tour guide. Even now, Cameron delights in helping visitors from all around the world get the most out of their incredible Australian trip. You’ll see Cameron leading tours or writing about his favourite Australian places where he shares his local insights.