Bucket list experience:
Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, Northern Territory, Australia
Rising up from the silent desert floor like a gargantuan monolith, ochre-hued Uluru is one of the world’s most bewitching sights – more so, as its colour and appearance constantly change depending on the season and time of day.
Formed more than 600 million years ago, and reaching a height of 348 metres, it overlooks wild and desolate desert landscapes, home for millennia to the Aboriginal people. The area is steeped in their legends and traditions; combined with the scenery, Uluru has an intense, unforgettable atmosphere. The thing has presence.
Climbing Uluru was banned in 2019, but there are still myriad ways to see and experience Australia’s most sacred site. Walking trails encircle the rock allowing you to get close to see the many fissures, gorges and galleries in to the sandstone, some containing centuries-old rock art, whilst learning about its mysteries and legends from local Aboriginal guides.
Those looking for a speedier or less strenuous introduction can opt for a Segway tour or a camel tour. Meanwhile, helicopter and scenic flights are the best way to truly appreciate the scale and strangeness of this geological anomaly sticking out from miles of flat landscape.
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Destination Guide >Since ‘The Rock’ is located inside a national park, it’s entirely feasible to explore independently, but guided tours offer a much richer insight into the local legends and culture of the Aboriginal people and will take you to interesting places you won’t discover on your own.
Anyone staying at the nearby town of Yulara will find a dazzling variety of tours and cultural experiences available. All tours can be booked through Ayers Rock Resort and its associated properties.
Dawn and sunset are the best times to see The Rock, the latter being particularly spectacular. Uluru absorbs heat during the day and seems to glow as the sky darkens.
Winter (June to August) is the ideal time to be in the desert. This is also the busiest time of the year, so spring and autumn can work well too.
Desert summers (December to March) are notoriously hot and when the air is filled with relentless swarms of annoying flies (though you can buy the classic hat with accompanying fly net to keep them off your face). On the plus side, it’s less crowded and rainfall over Uluru is spectacular.
Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, Northern Territory, Australia
Discover a different perspective on Australia’s most famous desert natural wonders, with a helicopter tour that soars across the jaw-dropping landscapes of the Northern Territories.
Best for ages: 16+ | £180 | 30 minutes
Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, Northern Territory, Australia
A unique 10km circuit walk that showcases the complex and intricate beauty of this extraordinary monolith, and reveals the rich local legends that surround it.
Best for ages: 10+ | Free | 2-3 hours
Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, Northern Territory, Australia
Cameleer Chris Hill runs a wide range of carbon-neutral camel tours, including sunset and sunrise rides and express (45 minute) adventures through the dunes.
Best for ages: 10+ | £40 | 45+ minutes
Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, Northern Territory, Australia
A truly unique way to experience either Uluru or Kata Tjuta – and to perhaps fulfill a secret desire to ride on a Harley Davidson. Tour options range from a quick 30-minute spin to a viewing spot for Uluru, or full 3.5-hour tours of both Uluru or Kata Tjuta. Choose between riding a motorcycle or riding in a three-wheeler sidecar. Pick up from the Ayres Rock Resort.
Best for ages: 18+ | £130 | 90 minutes
Our selection of the best Viator tours of this attraction or activity
Uluru
A74 | Rating 4.64 / 5 [59 ratings]
Tour supplied by:
Uluru
A79 | Rating 4.37 / 5 [48 ratings]
Tour supplied by:
Uluru
A140 | Rating 4.86 / 5 [79 ratings]
Tour supplied by:
Uluru
A152 | Rating 4.92 / 5 [42 ratings]
Tour supplied by:
Our writer’s picks of the best places to stay near this experience, closest first
Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, Northern Territory, Australia[10.9 miles]
The park’s most prestigious accommodation is a bucket list experience in itself. 15 luxury tents with uninterrupted views of the rock. There’s nowhere else in the world like it.
Official star rating:
Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, Northern Territory, Australia[12.4 miles]
Excellently located in the heart of the Yulara township, this friendly garden hotel an oasis in this harsh yet beautiful arid landscape – and the perfect base to explore.
Official star rating:
Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, Northern Territory, Australia[12.5 miles]
This bright and airy apartment hotel is the perfect choice for families or groups of friends, with excellent facilities and a great location.
Official star rating:
Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, Northern Territory, Australia[12.7 miles]
Affordable quirky and fun, this small hotel is an unexpected delight in the Red Centre, with access to all the facilities of the Ayers Rock Resort.
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Destination guides including or relevant to this experience
Northern Territory, Australia
The place to come for the Australian outback experience – jaw-dropping geological formations (including world-famous Uluru), sleeping out in swag bags, sampling bush tucker, and connecting with authentic Aborginal culture.
Our writer’s recommendations of other bucket list experiences our writer says you must do in this destination, closest first
Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, Northern Territory, Australia[12.4 miles]
The best-known outdoor dining experience in Australia – an unforgettable dinner in the desert under a billion stars, with didgeridoo music and a fascinating lesson in astronomy.
Best for ages: 8+ | £165
Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, Northern Territory, Australia[12.6 miles]
This dot painting workshop is an excellent and fun introduction to Indigenous Art, where participants learn about the different symbols used to create local Creation Time stories.
Best for ages: 4+ | £40 | 90 minutes
Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, Northern Territory, Australia[12.9 miles]
Sublime upscale desert dining experience, with magnificent Uluru views combined with Aborigine performance and storytelling.
Best for ages: 15+ | £200 | 4 hours
Other worthwhile experiences near this experience if you have time or interest..
Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, Northern Territory, Australia[10.8 miles]
Created by British artist Bruce Monro, this unique and mesmerising light installation consists of 50,000 slender ‘stem’ bulbs arrayed in colourful formation over an area the size of 7 football pitches – all in front of the iconic Uluru. Wander through it, or dine next to it.
Best for ages: 4+ | £25
Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, Northern Territory, Australia[12 miles]
With no air pollution and a tiny population, the Park is an ideal place to study the universe and these tours of the night sky are excellent – and led by entertaining astronomers. Tours depart daily, 2 hours after sunset, from the Ayers Rock Resort. Under 15s go free.
Best for ages: 4+ | £30 | 1 hour 15 mins
Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, Northern Territory, Australia[12.4 miles]
Dubbed a ‘cultural hub’, this arts centre in the Ayers Rock Resort showcases work from established and emerging indigenous artists, plus a range of cultural events. It hosts regular exhibitions, and offer free daily tours.
Best for ages: 18+ | Free
Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, Northern Territory, Australia[12.7 miles]
The digeridoo, a long and thin musical instrument of Australia’s indigenous people, is one of the Outback’s most iconic symbols – and sounds. Playing it relies on a technique known as circular breathing which is much harder to master than it looks. These workshops are free – so why not give it a go?
Best for ages: 6+ | Free | 45 minutes
Round-ups that include this experience
Multiple countries
Former travel editor of BBC Wildlife Magazine James Fair round-ups the earth’s greatest natural wonders, which will literally take your breath away.
