3 Things to Keep in Mind When Visiting Australia’s Iconic Red Rock Uluru

Photo by Photoholgic on Unsplash

Australia is home to many rock formations, but none of them compares to the red sandstone mountain of Uluru, also known as the Ayers Rock. This is one of the most popular tourist attractions on this continent, but there’s a couple of things you shouldn’t do during your visit.

Spiritual Significance

Uluru may seem like just another unusual rock formation to most, but it’s is sacred to the Aboriginal people in this area, known as Aṉangu. That’s why it’s important to stay respectful during your visit, and don’t take any rocks with you. In addition to destroying the natural beauty of Uluru by taking “souvenirs”, those who remove rocks are believed to be cursed.

Limited Photography

Leaving Uluru without taking photos wouldn’t make sense, but you should be mindful. Certain areas of the park are connected to gender-linked rituals or ceremonies, and there are signs in place warning you shouldn’t take photos here.

No Climbing

Many tourists used to climb Uluru in the past, but this activity has been strictly prohibited back in 2019. Even if the new rule wasn’t in place, climbing is disrespectful towards the local Aṉangu tribes due to Uluru’s spiritual importance.