We thought Uluru might be overhyped because it’s so popular, but honestly, it deserves every bit of it.

There’s something seriously unusual about it. No matter how many photos you’ve seen, it’s completely different in real life, you just need to see it!

Here are our favourite things to do there: 

• Uluru-Kata Tjuta Cultural Centre: We recommend this to be the first thing you do once you get there. It will give you a whole new perspective on the area, the Anangu people, and why this place is so significant.

• Uluru Base Walk: A 10-km loop that takes you around the rock. We rented bikes and took around 4 hours, which was such a good way to see it properly!

• Kata Tjuta (The Olgas): The other half of the National Park, these are massive red domes about 40 minutes from Yulara. They’re less popular than Uluru but just as impressive!

• Field of Light: A huge desert light installation with Uluru in the background. We did the sunrise tour and it was seriously impressive, we wished we stayed longer!

• Sunrise or sunset: The colour of Uluru changes a lot as the light shifts, so try to do at least 1 of each. There’s one lookout for the sunrise and another for the sunset. 

• Sound of Silence dinner. A bucket-list dinner experience with a 3-course meal, a didgeridoo performance, and a guided stargazing talk after dinner! A bit posh but an epic way to start/end your Uluru trip. Check availability and prices here.

• Uluru tours: Uluru is one of those places you might only visit once, so make the most of it if you can! There are scenic flights, stargazing tours, guided hikes, and more. Check the top-rated tours here. 

We have pins with further details on these activities in this guide, btw. Just go to the “spots” tab and search for it, or check the interactive map. 

HOW LONG TO STAY?

We recommend 3 nights in Yulara, the nearest town to Uluru (about 30 min). 

It has accommodation, fuel, shops and food, so it’s the easiest base for exploring Uluru and Kata Tjuta.

GETTING THERE & MOVING AROUND

There’s an airport in Yulara, so you can fly in from most major cities. 

You can also fly into Alice Springs and drive from there, or take a 1-way transfer from Alice to Uluru. 

If you want to fly there, definitely compare the prices between Yulara and Alice - Yulara might be cheaper.

If you’re driving in, here are the distances from the main spots: 

• From Alice Springs: 5 hrs

• From Coober Pedy: 8 hrs

• From Katherine: 17 hrs

• From Darwin: 20 hrs

Once in Yulara, there are hop-on, hop-off buses that take you from Yulara to Uluru, as well as bus tours to Kata Tjuta. And most tours include pick up and drop off, so you don’t really need to rent a car if you don’t want to. 

But if you’re exploring beyond Uluru (Kings Canyon, West Macs, etc) we’d strongly recommend renting one as it will give you more freedom to explore. A 2WD is more than enough.

TIPS FROM OUR EXPERIENCE

• You need a separate Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park Pass (purchase here). The NT Parks Pass doesn’t cover it.

• Uluru isn’t cheap, but you can save heaps by camping instead of booking a hotel. And bringing your own groceries from Alice Springs!

• You’ll see clear signs for “no photography” zones in the national park, don’t ignore them. The Anangu people ask you not to climb Uluru or fly drones, so leave the gadgets in the car and always be respectful.

• Cash is handy out here, as card machines at remote roadhouses might not get a signal. Don’t get caught out with no fuel or snacks because your card won’t work!
  

TRAVELLING WITH DOGS

Dogs aren’t allowed inside Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, except approved assistance dogs.

So you can’t take your pet to Uluru, Kata Tjuta, the walks, lookouts or Cultural Centre. If you’re travelling with a dog, you’ll need to organise pet care outside the park or visit in turns.

ACCOMMODATION

Yulara is the main place to stay for Uluru. All the accommodation there is part of Ayers Rock Resort, so book ahead if you’re going in peak season!

Here are the options: 

• Ayers Rock Campground: This is where we stayed. Unbeatable location but we didn’t book ahead, so we ended up in the overflow campground (which wasn’t advertised). Worth calling if the main campground looks full.

• Ayers Rock Resort: There are a few hotel and apartment-style options in the resort, including stays like Sails in the Desert, Desert Gardens Hotel, Emu Walk Apartments and Outback Hotel & Lodge.

• Curtin Springs Station: About 1 hour from Yulara. Locals told us they have free unpowered camping, powered sites for a small fee, and motel-style rooms, but double-check before going!