Travel bucket list idea:
Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, Northern Territory, Australia
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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.
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.
Adult price: £40+
Min age 5
Best for ages 10+
Duration: 45+ minutes
Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, Northern Territory, Australia
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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+
Duration: 2-3 hours
Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, Northern Territory, Australia
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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.
Adult price: £180
Min age 15
Best for ages 16+
Duration: 30 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.
Adult price: £130
Min age 18
Best for ages 18+
Duration: 90 minutes
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.
Our selection of the best Viator tours of this attraction or activity
Uluru
Price: A284
Min age: 0
Rating 4.12 / 5 [325 ratings]
Tour supplied by:
Uluru
Price: A305
Min age: 2
Rating 4.32 / 5 [214 ratings]
Tour supplied by:
Uluru
Price: A195
Min age: 0
Rating 4.46 / 5 [126 ratings]
Tour supplied by:
Uluru
Price: A161
Min age: 0
Rating 4.86 / 5 [112 ratings]
Tour supplied by:
Uluru
Price: A96
Min age: 0
Rating 4.63 / 5 [86 ratings]
Tour supplied by:
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.
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.
