Every year, people are learning more and more about the varied and rich traditions and beliefs of the different cultures in our world. The fun part for us is that these traditions and beliefs often jump headlong into the supernatural. One famous culturally significant place that crosses this boundary is Australia’s Uluru. 

Uluru, also known as Ayers Rock, is a massive sandstone monolith in the heart of Australia's Northern Territory. Rising 348 meters (1,140 feet) above the surrounding plains, it is considered one of the most iconic landmarks in the world. Uluru holds immense cultural and spiritual significance for the Anangu people, who have inhabited the region for over 40,000 years. The Anangu believe Uluru is a sacred site, imbued with ancestral spirits and Dreamtime stories.  

Uluru has a unique reddish-brown color due to its geologic composition, which gives it a striking appearance, especially at sunrise and sunset. The rock's surface is also decorated with intricate rock art, created by the Anangu people over millennia. These paintings depict Dreamtime stories, animals, and ancestral figures, which give us insight into the thoughts and beliefs of the Anangu.  

For decades, visitors could venture around and even on the monolithic structure. Of those visiting Uluru, some have shared tales of supernatural experiences, such as encountering the spirits of the Anangu ancestors or witnessing unexplained phenomena. One such story involves a group of hikers who claimed to have heard the sound of a didgeridoo echoing through the valley, even though no one was playing it. Another account tells of a photographer who captured an image of a mysterious figure standing on top of Uluru, only to realize later that no one else was present. 

Another interesting phenomenon that is part of the lore of Uluru is centered around souvenirs. As with many popular tourist destinations, visitors often remove items from Uluru. This seemingly harmless action has allegedly turned loose bad luck on more than one of these souvenir takers. So, how did they rid themselves of this pox? They shipped their souvenirs back to Uluru. These packages have arrived from all over the world, showing the global reach of this location.

While Uluru remains a popular tourist destination, in 2019, in order to honor the wishes of the Anangu people, climbing Uluru was permanently banned. Still, the allure of this ancient site is everpresent, and visitors often sense the monolith’s supernatural magnetism. Perhaps the ghosts of the Anangu indeed protect this sacred mountain.