Uluru: more majestic than you ever imagined

One of the most imposing natural wonders on the planet, set in breathtaking landscape, and sacred in Aboriginal culture, majestic Uluru is a sight you can never quite prepare for. This is the Red Centre, the ancient heart of Australia, and everyone should experience it at least once.

Expect spectacular views, breathtaking sunsets, fascinating insights into local Aboriginal culture, and incredible outback adventures. There is so much to experience in this vast, world-renowned expanse.

And Uluru is just the beginning. Nearby Kata Tjuta and, just three hours away, Watarrka (Kings Canyon) are no less impressive.

Follow walking trails around the base of Uluru and through the ancient domes of Kata Tjuta. Take a scenic flight at sunset then dine under a gazillion stars. Join an Indigenous art workshop, a bush tucker demonstration or bush yarn session. Camp or glamp in the great outdoors, choose five-star luxury, backpacker accommodation or family friendly hotel stays. Stay for a week or a weekend. Experience the Red Centre any way you can.

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Cheap flights to Uluru Ayers Rock

Things to do: Uluru

  • Couple cycling at the base of Uluru, Northern Territory. Image credit: Tourism NT/Laura Bell

    Walk, ride or Segway around the base of Uluru

    Following the 10km Uluru Base Walk is one of the best ways to soak up the essence of Uluru and to truly appreciate its magnitude and cultural significance. Equally fascinating, shorter walking trails at the base include the Kuniya walk to Mutijulu Waterhole and Mala walk to Kantju Gorge. Weary legs? Take a guided Segway tour around the base with Uluru Segway Tours, or hire a bike from Uluru Outback Cycling Uluru and take it at your own pace.

    Image credit: Tourism NT/Laura Bell

  • Camp, glamp or book a hotel at Ayers Rock Resort

    Somewhat of an Uluru one-stop-shop, Ayers Rock Resort is the perfect base for exploring Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park. Accommodation ranges from 5-star luxury to dorm beds, cabins and campsites: any way you stay, it’s an all-star option. There are loads of activities on offer at the resort, from free Indigenous theatre performances, art workshops, bush tucker demonstrations and guided tours of local flora, to camel trekking and scenic flights.

  • Hiker between two towering domes at Kata Tjuta, Northern Territory. Image credit: Tourism NT, Sean Scott.

    Hike Kata Tjuta’s trails

    Explore Kata Tjuta’s extraordinary landscape on foot. Hike between towering, ancient domes to Walpa Gorge. The rocky, gently sloping 2.6km track takes around an hour and is home to rare native flora, a seasonal stream, and local wallabies. Make the most of the trail’s benches for a less-crowded sunset experience. For a longer, more challenging hike, embark on the 7.6km Valley of the Winds walk. The steep, rocky circuit takes around three to four hours, and is well worth the effort.

    Image credit: Tourism NT/Sean Scott

  • Uluru at sunset, with pink clouds in the background, as viewed from the public viewing and photography area. Image credit: Nick Brundle/stock.adobe.com

    See sunset from a helicopter or a Harley

    Sunset at Uluru is exceptional. Are there are plenty of exceptional ways to watch its ever-changing colours. Take a spin on sunset strip with Uluru Motorcycle Tours or your breath away on a sunset skydive or helicopter scenic flight. Or, pack a picnic and park at popular viewing areas Uluru Car Sunset Viewing Area, Ewing Lookout (near the camel farm) and the Kata Tjuta Sunset Viewing Area. After sunset, check out the sublime Field of Light: 50,000 spindles of light swaying on the desert plains.

    Image credit: Nick Brundle/stock.adobe.com

  • Dining table with guest and staff at Sounds of Silence, Uluru, Northern Territory. Image credit: Tourism NT/David Kirkland.

    Experience the Sounds of Silence

    That iconic image you’ve seen of white tablecloths, full formal glassware and crockery, with the big red Rock looming up as the backdrop? You can put yourself in that picture! It’s called Sounds of Silence and it's four hours of outback bliss. The spread is impressive: canapés, a three-course bush-tucker buffet, desserts, beer, wine, tea, coffee and port. Throw in Indigenous dance and didgeridoo performances, a guided night tour and return transfers to your hotel, and you have a truly special once-in-a-lifetime experience.

    Image credit: Tourism NT/David Kirkland

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Airport information

Ayers Rock Airport (Connellan; AYQ)

Distance to Ayers Rock Resort 6km

Shuttle Complimentary shuttle buses meet every flight and go to Ayers Rock Resort, the journey takes around 10 minutes.

Taxis are not available.

 

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When to go

Uluru has a desert climate, with average temperatures ranging from approximately 22°C in winter to 35°C in summer. Tourists flock here in winter to avoid summer heat, but take note that nights and mornings during winter are cold, with average lows for June, July and August between 4°C and 6°C.

Daytime temperatures during summer can exceed 40°C, so packing heavy-duty sunscreen and a hat is imperative. You can also count on torrential tropical storms during the summer months.

To avoid summer's extremes and winter's crowds, the months of April and September are your best bet.

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Getting around

The Ayers Rock Resort shuttle circulates the Resort daily, approximately every 20 minutes, stopping at all hotels and campgrounds, the Resort Town Square, Visitors Centre and the Uluru Camel Farm. Shuttle services to Uluru and Kata Tjuta can be booked through Uluru Hop-On Hop-Off. Otherwise, hiring a car is your only transport option.

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