Uluru - the Heart of Australia in the Red Center

The Red Center is an unofficial name for the Ayers & Alice Springs area close to the center of Australia. I thought of it as the Big Empty. Empty with only scrubs and small trees for miles and then suddenly these amazing rocks.

Sunrise slowing revealing Uluru (formerly Ayers Rock). One solid rock that resists erosion more than the soft ground around it leaving it towering above the surroundings

The locals request very politely that you not climb Uluru but it is allowed when the weather is okay. And as you can it's very popular to climb.

I decided not to climb,

A) Because I was asked politely not to

B) To save my knees from the downward climb

C) Because 13 people died climbing it last year

D) All of the above





There is one permanent pool of water around the rock but others are created when the rain is funneled down from the top of the rock into a pocket. Interestingly the bushes in the Red Center were greener than usual while I was there in September because it had rained in July. The plants are used to surviving on very little water.





This pattern on the site of Uluru is called the Brain.

Next stop Kata Tjuta

Or return to Australia