Tourists have flocked to Uluru to catch a glimpse of waterfalls cascading down the sacred rock during Australia's recent wild weather.
Uluṟu-Kata Tjuṯa National Park staff have shared a selection of photos of the "unique and extraordinary weather event" on social media.
Their post said Uluru recorded more than 46mm of rain over the weekend.
"Rainwater on the rock’s surface causes it to change colour," the post said.
"From dark burgundy to shining silver and even black, every side of Uluru takes a different shade, making this spectacle a photographer’s delight.
Reuters/Stacey MacGregor
)"Following the rain, desert plants bloom and many animals emerge to mate and feed."
Some of those animals have already made themselves known, with the national park staff revealing a cheeky group of native burrowing frogs became so active at the Cultural Centre building they set off security alarms.
Uluru receives about 300mm of rain a year on average, meaning the park saw about a sixth of its total yearly rainfall in just two days.
Rainfall has already caused smaller waterfalls at Uluru a couple of times this past summer, but the weekend's deluge made for particularly strong falls.
Nearby Alice Springs has recorded "above average" rainfall so far this year, with about 50mm falling in the 24 hours to Monday morning.
The Bureau of Meteorology has forecast little to no rain in the Kata Tjuta area for the rest of the week.
Reuters/Stacey MacGregor
)Parks Australia says seeing Uluru and its waterfalls after heavy rain is an experience only a lucky few get to have, with the iconic red and golden sunrise and sunset views common for most of the year.
Uluru was closed to climbers in October 2019 after decades of campaigning by traditional owners. Hefty fines are now in place for people caught trying to scale the rock.
The rock is still a popular destination for domestic and international tourists, but strict coronavirus restrictions have limited the number of people able to visit the sacred site for the past 12 months.
ABC/wires
