Maybe the world's best known partially buried lump of rock. Its sandstone was laid down on the floor of an ancient sea, compressed into rock and then flipped up at 97 a degree angle (so the layers are almost vertical) in the upheavals that also threw up the MacDonnell Ranges 350 million years ago. Red from the high iron content, you really have to visit to appreciate the size of the rock and the subtle texturing, the history and the colour changes throughout the day.
We both took the excellent Ranger guided Mala Walk which is a fine introduction to the cultural significance and geology of the rock's NW side. The guide discussed some of the traditional stories attached to the different rock formations, interpreted the rock paintings and explained the processess that shaped the caves and rock features. Then Tim ran around the rock's perimeter walk before returning at sunset for pictures. We both got up for sunrise the next day.
