Ayres Rock, now officially known as Uluru since it was returned to the Anangu, the Aboriginal owners in 1985. It is 450 km (270 miles) west of Alice Springs in the Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park which covers over 132 000 ha.
Uluru is sacred to the Anangu, the Aboriginal people of the area. The area around the formation is home to a plethora of springs, waterholes, rock caves and ancient paintings. Uluru is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Geological studies show the rock formation continues for 15 miles, curving downward and up again to join the Olgas.
