Australian Aboriginal Landscape

Stark contrast in colour and the simple beauty
of abstract form gives this area a spiritual tone
unavailable in our crowded cities. It seems as if
this place has remained unchanged for millions
of years. You feel yourself clearer for its
uncluttered magic.

A huge red temple rising out of the flat land, this
348m high monolith is also known as Ayers Rock,
named by the explorer William Gosse in 1873
after the Premier of S.A., Sir Henry Ayers.

The scorching heat takes its toll on an old tree
growing out of the dry rocks. It is a harsh land
in which to survive.

Sheltered gullies and gorges form part of Central
Australia's most important botanical area. Almost
600 plant species have been recorded here, 33 of
them rare. The area supports 20 species of
mammals, more than 70 reptiles and 140 birds.

A mural of colour which the Aboriginals transfered
to rock-painting and to their bodies in a great
display of art and union with nature.

These natural elements, predominantly red and
yellow ochre’s, were collected by the Aboriginals
for painting and ceremonial use, long before they
were mined by Europeans as a source of
pigments for paint.

Soft rolling hills, vegetated by little more than tough
wild grasses in wonderful dusty copper hues.

The unique sandy red of the Australian interior
contrasted by a clear blue sky and softened by
tuffs of Spinifex. It's a landscape that impregnates
itself in the memory of every visitor!

On an unsealed back road we came across a
party in trouble with the car. They had run out of
petrol, and although there was a spare Gerry can
of petrol, they had no funnel to empty it into the
fuel tank. We devised a make-shift funnel out of
a plastic soft drink bottle, and were all on the
road again, after a hopeful young boy had his
few seconds of fame!

Entrance ticket issued by the Aboriginal trust and
the National Parks to visit Uluru (Ayers Rock) and
Kata Tjuta (the Olgas). Visitors are discouraged
from climbing the great rock; alternatives include
a 9.4km Base Walk around the rock or an
informative walk in the company of an Aboriginal
guide. Similarly, Kata Tjuta, is a sacred site to the
Aboriginal people and visitors should stay on the
tracks, showing respect to both Aboriginal belief
and to the fragile land itself.

Uluru, Central Australia.