Uluru /ˌuːləˈruː/ (Pitjantjatjara: Uluṟu), also known as Ayers Rock /ˌɛərz ˈrɒk/ and officially gazetted as "Uluru / Ayers Rock",[1] is a large sandstone rock formation in the southern part of the Northern Territory in central Australia. It lies 335 km (208 mi) south west of the nearest large town, Alice Springs, 450 km (280 mi) by road.