DON'T CLIMB

© Sally Hammond

"So much hype!" sniffs the American tourist as she swigs down the last of her bottled water. "It just changed from red to shadows."

I want to ask her, should Australia install a sound and light show on the side of the rock? Perhaps a little laser show, or maybe a fountain of fireworks from the far side of Uluru – a sort of desert version of the grand finale of the Olympic Games? Perhaps that might hit the spot with jaded tourists.

No doubt her companion would be delighted at the prospect I reckon. She grumbles back, “I can't believe we spent thousands of dollars to come see the sun set on a rock!”

But this is Uluru, not any old rock in the centre of Australia. The world's largest pebble (that's official) was, until 17 years ago, universally known as Ayers Rock, named for the boss of the white discoverer, Gosse. It’s the world's largest cleanskin monolith, and has been around a mere 60 million years or so.

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This article continues to discuss the background to the rock’s discovery by white explorers, aboriginal myths and legends concerning the rock, and thee complex Aboriginal rights issues and WHY they prefer visitors to walk around the base of the rock and not climb it. The factfile includes information on accommodation provided, local food and cuisine, things to do and see.

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(finishes…)

 A two- to three-hour walk around some of the base of the rock is led by trained AAT Kings tour guides who point out the sites connected with legends, the wealth of bush tucker plants and some of the sacred sites: the caves where young boys waited nervously for their initiation rites; another where women ground grass seeds to make into a bread as rich as muesli. Squatting under a bush shelter, our guides scribbles in the fine dust, attempting to put the geology of the place into lay person's terms.

Right now you wouldn't change places with the minga (ants) on top of this baking rock for quids. The view from the top might be expansive, but the perspective from the base is so much more intense. To reinforce this, participants in the base walk get a classy and culturally sensitive "I Didn't Climb Ayers Rock' certificate.

‘Don't climb,’ say the Anangu people, and finally you can begin to see why.

FACTFILE: (to be updated on the sale of this article)

Where is it?

Getting there:

Getting around:

Where to stay:

Where to dine:

What to see:

Health:

Currency:

More information: 

(1900 words + Factfile)                                                                                    ©Sally Hammond 2006

(Sally and Gordon Hammond travelled as guests of AAT Kings)

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Contact Sally Hammond for a pricing schedule or to discuss purchase of this article.

• Currently the article runs to approximately 1900 words plus Factfile (fact-checked and updated free on sale of this article).

• The article may be shortened according to editorial needs, and the Factfile may be expanded, however if additional work is requested it will affect the final cost of the article.

• Pictures are available.

• This article is currently unpublished. All rights available.