The Most Breathtaking Things To Do At Uluru

Uluru, once known as Ayer’s Rock, is the most iconic of all Australia’s natural wonders. No trip to Australia would be complete without visiting the Red Centre and so this guide to the best things to do at Uluru will help plan your trip!

I’m pretty sure that everyone in the world has heard of Uluru, or Ayer’s Rock as it came to be known for a while, in Australia’s red centre. The iconic red-sandstone monolith is around 348 metres high with a circumference of 9.4km and is a must-visit for all visitors to Australia and locals alike.

Uluru is an incredibly sacred and spiritual site to the Anangu aboriginal people and you really have to experience this monolith up close. Uluru has stood here for millions of years and there is evidence of human life here dating back 30,000 years. That’s insane.

With a camera in hand, we explored the Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park for three days and it’s now time to share with you my thoughts on the best things to do at Uluru.

Oh and no, there won’t be any climbing of Uluru these days (nor should there ever have been) as it has been banned by law since October 2019! There is so much more to experience at Uluru that you will honestly come away with so much love in your heart for this beautiful place in the red centre.

To access the national park, bear in mind that it will cost just $38 for 3 days per adult (free for children under 17). These can either be bought online in advance or at the gate. 25% of the fee goes directly to the Anangu people who are recognised as the traditional owners.

THE MOST BREATHTAKING THINGS TO DO AT ULURU

ULURU-KATA TJUTA CULTURAL CENTRE

The best place to begin your journey here at Uluru is at the Uluru-Kata Tjutu Cultural Centre which dives into the history of Uluru, provides an introduction to the Anangu people and showcases local art and craftwork in two art galleries. We were glad to have visited the centre almost immediately as it helped gain a better understanding of the area, its significance and provided respite from the all-encompassing heat.

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ULURU BASE WALK

Want to really get a sense of just how big Uluru is? Why not take a self-guided walk around the entire base; a perfect way to experience its beauty and connect with the rock. The walk is around 10km and it is recommended to start as early as possible when it is a little cooler in temperature. There is very little shade here so be prepared and take plenty of water! It’s recommended to start at the Mala car park and, facing the rock, head clockwise. One of my favourite areas of Uluru was the Mutitjulu Waterhole on the southern side; perfect for photos.

10km in the Australian heat can be a little daunting so why not hire a bike and cycle round or take a segway tour?

MALA WALK

For those not in a position to complete the base walk, which we certainly weren’t, the guided Mala Walk is a great alternative with park rangers explaining everything you need to know about the Anangu people, the creation stories of rock formations and show you ancient rock art. The Mala is a rufous hare wallaby which, for the Anangu people, are important ancestral beings.

I really enjoyed this walk as it brought to Uluru to life with indepth local knowledge and insider information. Of course, you can complete this walk by yourself with signage displaying a lot of the information but its much better with a guide. The walk ends at the dramatic and peaceful Kantju Gorge which offers a little bit of shade and shelter from the elements.

The walk is only 2km and takes around 1.5 to 2 hours. The guided walks are free and take place at 10am daily from May to September and at 8am from October to April.

WATCH SUNRISE & SUNSET AT ULURU

The most spectacular thing to do at Uluru is to watch both the sunrise and sunset and experience the sky, the sun and the rock do its thing. Yes, the rock changes colour significantly throughout sunrise and sunset and, if you’re there on a good day, for a few moments at least Uluru will glow bright red.

These are obviously going to be busy times to see Uluru so make sure you set off in good time for a parking spot. Initially, we headed to the sunset viewing point for sunset and the sunrise viewpoint for sunrise but interestingly we found it better and quieter to reverse the viewpoints eg go to the sunrise viewpoint for sunset! If you’re in your own vehicle, grab a couple of chairs and watch in awe as the sun slips below the horizon.

There are numerous other ways to enjoy the sunrise and sunset here at Uluru especially for those who have a little bit more of a budget. You could, for example, watch sunrise during a camel walk or enjoy the Sounds of Silence dinner at sunset.

MARVEL AT THE FIELD OF LIGHT

This light art installation, Field of Light, is one of the most popular attractions now at Uluru. There are 50,000 colourful light stems stretching out across the bush with Uluru in the distance. It honestly looks incredible. We unfortunately didn’t have the budget to pay for a pass (though it only costs $46 for adults) and I was so disappointed that we would miss it forever as it was only ever intended to be a short term project. It has however thankfully now been extended indefinitely so fingers crossed I’ll be able to return in the future!

VISIT KATA TJUTA

Within the national park is the beautiful Kata Tjuta, otherwise known as the Olgas, around a 45 minute drive west from Uluru. Kata Tjuta (‘many heads’) is seen equally in terms of importance to the Anangu people as Uluru and, in someways, is even more spectacular with its 36 giant domes spread across 20km of bush. The tallest of the domes rises to almost 550 metres, much higher than Uluru, and without doubt was one of my favourite things to see here.

There are two main hikes at Kata Tjuta; the Valley of the Winds and Walpa Gorge. The Valley of the Winds trail is a 7.4km loop that takes a good few hours but it can get really hot out here, it’s really rocky and there are an insane amount of flies. We attempted the 3km Walpa Gorge hike but the flies were mental so we had to escape back to the safety of the van. This hike however takes you between the domes offering stunning views and is relatively flat meaning it’s perfect for the family.

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On the way back to Uluru, there was a little parking spot that had perhaps some of the best views of both Kata Tjuta and Uluru.

AERIAL VIEWS OF ULURU & KATA TJUTA

Whether you’re heading up high into the sky in a helicopter or on a flight from Alice Springs to Perth (like me), admiring both Uluru and Kata Tjuta from above is unlike nothing else. You can really begin to appreciate the scale of these enornous sandstones that somehow you just can’t when stood underneath. Uluru is honestly absolutely massive and, from the air, looks incredible.

HOW TO GET TO ULURU

As I mentioned above, we drove ourselves to Uluru which, from Cairns, took us around a week. With the drive being around five hours from Alice Springs, you better get some good music on or perhaps a riveting audio book as the drive did seem to drag a little. We stopped to admire the ‘false Uluru’, Mount Conner, after only realising it looked nothing like the photos of the real Uluru!

If you don’t have access to your own vehicle, you can take a tour bus from Alice Springs or fly directly to the resort of Yulara. The Ayers Rock Airport sees direct domestic flights arriving frequently from major cities across Australia.

WHERE TO STAY IN ULURU

Uluru really is in the middle of absolutely nowhere, around a five hour drive from Alice Springs, and the only town here is the tiny resort of Yulara. Together there are seven resorts and hotels that make up the ‘Ayers Rock Resort’. We stayed at the Ayers Rock Campground, around 20km from Uluru itself, for $25 per night which was incredible value for money though the price in 2024 is currently $30 per night. If you’ve got your own campervan, caravan or motorhome, staying at the campground makes perfect sense.

Now, if I was to return to Uluru, and I’m hoping to one day, I am now in a position to enjoy a little more luxury than during my wife and I’s failed attempt at the lap of Australia. For me, both Sails in the Desert and Longitude 131 are right up my street. Longitude 131 might just win though to be fair, those luxury tents with unrivalled views of Uluru look insane.

That wraps up my guide to the most breathtaking things to do in Uluru though of course, there is so much more to do that you can easily discover more experiences to truly make your visit your own. If you have any questions at all or need any more information, just let me know in the comments below!

WHERE NEXT?

Ok, let’s be honest, it’s taken me long enough to find the time to publish guides covering my time in Australia. Now though, the majority of them are linked below, so wherever you’re heading you’re likely to find what you need below!

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