How was Uluru formed?

Uluru in the Northern Territory was formed through a combination of rainwater, undersea compression, tectonic movement and other rocks eroding away.

Uluru is one of Australia’s most instantly recognisable icons. Located in the Red Centre of the Northern Territory, the big red rock is a tourist staple.

Uluru experiences include a lavish dune-top desert dinner with stargazing, a guided walk around the perimeter full of Aboriginal cultural stories and a sunrise tour to the perfect photo stop. To browse a wide array of memorable Uluru experiences, head here. For the best Uluru accommodation deals, search here.

But how did the famous monolith get there? How was Uluru formed?

8 great Uluru experiences to book before you arrive

• 1. Understand Uluru’s caves, bulges, gullies and spiritual stories on a guided base walk.
• 2. Be awe-struck by the changing colours on a SUNRISE tour.
• 3. Eat great food on a dune top, and enjoy an expert-guided stargazing session during a once-in-a-lifetime desert dune-top dinner.
• 4. See an entirely different kind of dramatic outback scenery on Kings Canyon day trip.
• 5. Do a lap of Uluru by Segway.
• 6. See the big picture on an outback helicopter flight.
• 7. See Australia’s most spectacular light show – the Field of Light at sunrise.
• 8. Admire the colour-shifting giant rock domes on a Kata-tjuta sunset trip.

The Parks Australia website gives an excellent explanation of Uluru’s formation, but here’s a quick summary…

The formation of Uluru

Uluru’s formation started around 550 million years ago in the Petermann Ranges to the west. Back then, the Petermann Ranges were much taller, and rainwater flowed down the side, eroding rock and sand. The erosion occurred in big fan shapes.

When the sea covered the area about 500 million years ago, sand and mud covered these fans. The weight of the seabed slowly turned these fans into rock, and the sandy fan became arkose sandstone.

How was Uluru formed? The tectonic movements and erosion stage

Then, around 400 million years ago, the sea retreated and earth’s tectonic plates moved. The sandstone created in the sandy fan tilted 90 degrees.

This once-in-a-lifetime dune-top dinner experience, with special stargazing session included, is our top Uluru recommendation.

The next stage started about 300 years ago, when the softer rocks around Uluru eroded away. It was left standing out alone. But the remarkable thing is that what you see is a tiny fraction of the total rock – Uluru continues underground for around 6km.

What is an inselberg?

Uluru is technically an inselberg – an isolated, island-like hill or rock that stands significantly above the surrounding plain. The inselberg formerly known as Ayers Rock is 348m higher than the flat it stands upon. Or, rather, that it juts through.

Activities available at Uluru include camel tours, the Sounds of Silence dinner, scenic helicopter flights and Aboriginal dot painting workshops.

Which Uluru accommodation should I book?

Let’s not sugar-coat it: Accommodation at Uluru is expensive. Specialist Australian accommodation website Wotif lists Uluru accommodation for from $300. Check the top deals page to search through the options.

However, if you stay for three nights rather than two, hefty discounts tend to kick in.

The Uluru accommodation options are designed with different target markets in mind. Book which one fits you best.

• For the lowest prices: Ayers Rock Campground.
• For best quality: Sails in the Desert.
• For families and self-caterers: Emu Walk Apartments.
• For mid-range solidity: Desert Gardens.

More Red Centre travel

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Go on an Indigenous cultural tour at Standley Chasm.