If you've been bitten by the travel bug, we highly recommend that you put Australia on your list of destinations. Besides the cost being on the steeper side, Australia has everything: breathtaking beaches to surf on, nature for miles, and loads of cultural history.

If you're into the cultural side of things, we highly recommend that you check out Uluru, also known as Ayers Rock. This mountain is one of Australia's biggest mysteries. Its roots go deep into the earth and it seems to be shrouded in mystery. For the Aboriginal people, the Anangu, Uluru is a pillar of their spiritual world.

And we're here to expand on that! Here are fifteen myths surrounding Uluru that are too strange to ignore.

15 Memories Reside Within Its Paths

According to Aboriginal legends, Uluru is at a crossroads between all of the sacred paths known as ivara that run through Central Australia. The paths hold the memories of demigods and diving beings that experienced journeys and adventures. According to Anangu beliefs, their souls occupy the surrounding nature.

14 The Mountain As Mythical Animal

Certain tribes believe that Uluru is a mythical animal. According to their lore, once a year, the animal raises its head out of the sand to inspect the desert. The tribe's shaman predicts the day and organizes a feast. Many bring offerings and even come to ask its forgiveness!

13 No Need For A Rain Dance!

Mother Nature has never been predictable and it seems like Uluru is no different! Apparently, in the middle of a scorching heatwave, the rain will suddenly start to fall over Uluru- and Uluru alone. While meteorologists have yet to crack the algorithm, the Anangu have no trouble predicting it.

12 Climbing The Mountain Could Be A One-Way Trip

The Anangu never climb Uluru as this is considered sacrilegious. However, tourists never seem to listen. The Anangu believe that misfortune will fall anyone who climbs Uluru. While nothing can be concretely proven, many climbers have succumbed to heart failure once reaching the top, as well as other unexplained events.

11 An Exclusive Club

The Anangu's ancestors brought their youth to Uluru's caves to initiate them into the tribe. This group of caves, known as the Skull, represented a cross point between the groups. Male relatives resided in certain caves, others housed the elders and a group of flat rocks marked the women's encampment.

10 Ancestral Spirits Roam The Area

As we mentioned earlier, the ancestral spirits are believed to live within Uluru and all the surrounds it. According to legend, various gods created all of the nature around them and, shortly after, turned into the very things that they created, becoming vessels for sacred power.

9 Home To Aliens? Not Quite

No, these are not a new species of dinosaur. These are actually "shield shrimp" (or fairies). They're small crustaceans that resemble tadpoles that are known for their leaf-shaped feet through which they breathe via gills. They can be found in temporary waterholes and small rock pools on Uluru.

8 A Devil Dog Calls It Home

Dingos are dogs native to Australia that, to be honest, resemble golden retrievers. However, this particular dingo is not so nice. According to Anangu legend, a Devil Dingo chased off the ancient population of the Mala as punishment for refusing to supply their family to the west with eagle feathers.

7 Located On A Major Planetary GridPoint

Uluru is said to have unexplained power over it. And the rest of the world just might agree! The mountain is said to be located on a major planetary grid point. Why is this significant? We won't go into detail, but similar landmarks include the Great Pyramid in Egypt and the Bermuda Triangle...

6 Colour Changing Rock

In this case, there's a logical explanation. Uluru changes colors depending on the light that strikes its surface and the time of year. Dawn usually brings a bright pink, while noon brings out orange. During the rare rainfall, Uluru can even turn a silver-grey color. Talk about seeing and feeling the rainbow!

5 Result Of A Divine Battle

In Anangu lore, there are many versions of Uluru's creation story. One of these tales involves two young boys playing in the mud; their bodies being preserved as boulders on the mountain. Another story describes a divine battle between ancestral spirits, and Uluru being the earth's grief-stricken reaction to it.

4 Various Curses Attached To It

Remember when we said that climbing Uluru was sacrilegious? Apparently, taking souvenirs from the mountain is just as bad. Tourists who take rocks from the mountain will walk away with more than their fair share of misfortune. To cleanse themselves, people have actually resorted to mailing back the stolen rocks!

3 Ancestral Beings Had Many Animal Forms

The ancestral spirits of Anangu spirituality are known as Tjurkpas. It is said that they travel and reside through various sacred sites, including Uluru. They usually come in various animal forms, such as emus, snakes, kingfishers and, our personal favorite, willie wagtails! All of these ancestral spirits have regularly interacted, for better or worst!

2 Dreaming Is Not Just A Verb

1 There's More To See Than You Think

Now, we bet you're wondering, if I can't climb the mountain, then what's the point? Well, you could always further explore Uluru0Kata Tijuta National Park. But one of the main attractions of Uluru is sunrise. Close to 2000 visitors flock to the mountain before dawn just to catch a stunning glimpse. Next: What These Celebs Did To Support Australia (That Wasn't Donating Money)