Uluru Morning Guided Base Walk
Uluru
Enjoy a magical morning walking around the base of Uluru, watching the first sunlight of the day creep across the desert plains, slowly chan...
A161 | Rating 4.79 / 5 [87 ratings]
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Uluru Base Walk
Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, Northern Territory, Australia
Last updated: 09 November, 2022
Rising up from the silent desert floor, this gargantuan, ochre-hued monolith is both ethereal and mesmerising – its colour changes depending on the season and time of day. The 10km walk around its base is Uluru’s signature experience and the best way to experience the rock.
Getting up close, you begin to see the complex and intricate beauty. Each part of the walk reveals something different; erosion has cut fissures, gorges and galleries into the sandstone, some containing centuries-old rock art, while some provide shelter for wallabies, possums or bats. You’ll even feel it – the thing has presence.
Along the way, local guides recount the rich, beguiling dreamtime legends that swirl around it. There’s wildlife here too. Despite the arid conditions, the area is rich in flora, ranging from acacia woodlands to grassed claypans.
The Mala Walk
The Base Walk can be divided into shorter treks. Every day, there is a free, highly-recommended guided walk by park rangers along the ‘Mala’ section – known as the Mala Walk – that ends at the Kantju Gorge. The rangers stop at various sites to point out rock art, to demonstrate the tools traditionally used by the local Anangu people, and to tell you local stories and legends. They’ll also explain how Uluru and Kata Tjuta formed, and talk about the desert environment and the animals and plants that live there.
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Destination Guide >Price: Free
Minimum age: Any
Age suitable: 10+
When: All year around
Duration: 2-3 hours
Getting there & doing it
For the Base Walk, leave your vehicle in the Mala carpark and set off in a clockwise direction around the base of Uluru, following the signs. See the excellent Parks Australia website for a map and overview of the different sections and, if going independently, where to start from.
If you are the warmer months it’s advisable to set off in the early morning – and remember to carry water.
When to do it
Early morning or late afternoon are the best times to walk, to see Uluru in all its glory at sunrise or sunset. Uluru absorbs heat during the day and seems to glow as the sky darkens. Walking in the middle of day is not recommended, even in winter.
Winter (June to August) is the ideal time to be in the desert. This is also the busiest time of the year, when accommodation is at a premium, so spring and autumn can work well too.
Desert summers (December to March) are notoriously hot and not suitable for much physical activity. It’s also the wet season, when the air is filled with relentless swarms of annoying flies. On the plus side, it’s less crowded.
Our selection of the best Viator tours of this attraction or activity
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A179 | Rating 4.76 / 5 [273 ratings]
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Our writer’s picks of the best places to stay near this experience, closest first
Longitude 131
Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, Northern Territory, Australia[10.4 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.
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Desert Gardens Hotel
Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, Northern Territory, Australia[11.6 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.
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Emu Walk Apartments
Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, Northern Territory, Australia[11.7 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:
Lost Camel Hotel
Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, Northern Territory, Australia[12 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.
Official star rating:
Destination guides including or relevant to this experience
Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park
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.
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Overview >Our writer’s recommendations of other bucket list experiences our writer says you must do in this destination, closest first
Uluru (Ayers Rock)
Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, Northern Territory, Australia[1.6 miles]
Rising up from the silent, otherwise flat desert floor, this 600 million-year-old gargantuan, ochre-hued monolith is both ethereal and mesmerising – its colour changes depending on the season and time of day.
Best for ages: 8+ | Free
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Sounds of Silence
Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, Northern Territory, Australia[11.5 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
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Experience
Dot painting with Maruku Arts
Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, Northern Territory, Australia[11.9 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
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Tali Wiru
Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, Northern Territory, Australia[12.1 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..
Experience
Uluru Motorcycle Tours
Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, Northern Territory, Australia[2.5 miles]
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
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Experience
Field of Light
Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, Northern Territory, Australia[10.1 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
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Experience
Uluru Camel Tours
Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, Northern Territory, Australia[10.2 miles]
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
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Experience
Astro Tour
Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, Northern Territory, Australia[11.5 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
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Round-ups that include this experience
24 Unforgettable short walks (< 1 day)
Multiple countries
From traversing sand dunes, to walking on glaciers, through canyons, up mountains and along ancient city walls, here’s our round-up of the world’s best walks. Each walk can be tackled in a day or less with a moderate level of fitness and no technical ability.
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