Written by Callum Taylor, Camille Laurent, Marika Maslanka
21/08/2025
Jonas Schallenberg, Pexels
Uluru is a monumental sandstone formation in Australia's Red Centre, revered for its profound cultural significance to the Anangu people and its remarkable natural beauty. Visitors experience unforgettable sunrise and sunset views as the monolith's colours shift, engage with Aboriginal culture through guided walks and art workshops, and explore the surrounding desert landscape, including the majestic Kata Tjuta.
The primary social hub for visitors is Ayers Rock Resort in Yulara, which offers various accommodation options. The Outback Pioneer Lodge, specifically, provides a dedicated space for socialising with an outback bar featuring live music and a pool, making it a popular gathering spot for backpackers and other travelers.
Top 7 Things to do in Uluru
In Uluru, you will experience a unique blend of breathtaking natural spectacles and profound cultural immersion through various walks, sky-gazing experiences, and unique desert adventures.
1. Uluru Sunrise and Sunset Viewings
Witnessing the sun's first rays or its final glow transforming Uluru into a spectrum of reds, oranges, and purples is an unforgettable spectacle. Dedicated viewing areas provide prime locations to observe the light changing across the monolith and the surrounding landscape. It is highly recommended to arrive early to secure a good spot, especially for sunrise, and allow ample time for reflection as the colours shift.
Cost: Included with Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park Pass (AUD $38 for a 3-day adult pass). Tours offering sunrise/sunset viewing often include transport and sometimes breakfast or drinks, with prices varying (e.g., Hop On Hop Off from AUD $49 for Uluru return).
Transport: Accessible by rental car, Uluru Hop On Hop Off shuttle (from Ayers Rock Resort), or as part of an organised tour. Ayers Rock Resort provides free shuttle service within the resort, but not to the National Park.
2. Uluru Base Walk (including Mala Walk and Mutitjulu Waterhole)
Walking around the 10-kilometre base of Uluru offers an intimate perspective of its sheer size and diverse features, including ancient rock art sites and serene waterholes like Mutitjulu. The free ranger-guided Mala Walk, a shorter section of the base, provides insightful commentary on the Anangu people's cultural stories and connection to the land. You will gain a deeper understanding of the spiritual significance of this sacred site. Be sure to respect signage requesting no photos in certain culturally sensitive areas.
Cost: Included with Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park Pass (AUD $38 for a 3-day adult pass). Ranger-guided Mala Walk is free.
Transport: Accessible by rental car, Uluru Hop On Hop Off shuttle (from Ayers Rock Resort to the base walk start point), or as part of an organised tour.
3. Visit the Uluru-Kata Tjuta Cultural Centre
This is an essential first stop to deepen your understanding of the Anangu people, the traditional owners of Uluru. The centre offers exhibitions, displays, and cultural presentations that share their history, Dreamtime stories (Tjukurpa), and connection to the land. You can also find galleries showcasing and selling authentic Aboriginal art, providing a way to support the local community directly.
Cost: Entry to the Cultural Centre is free, but the Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park Pass is required for park entry (AUD $38 for a 3-day adult pass). Some art workshops may incur additional costs.
Transport: Located within Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park. Accessible by rental car, Uluru Hop On Hop Off shuttle, or as part of an organised tour.
4. Kata Tjuta Walks (Valley of the Winds or Walpa Gorge)
Explore Kata Tjuta, meaning 'many heads', a striking collection of domed rock formations located a short drive from Uluru. The Valley of the Winds walk is a rewarding, challenging 7.4-kilometre loop that takes you into the heart of the domes, offering breathtaking views from two lookouts. Alternatively, the shorter Walpa Gorge walk leads you between two of the largest domes, providing a refuge for unique plants and animals. Both walks allow you to immerse yourself in the awe-inspiring landscape.
Cost: Included with Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park Pass (AUD $38 for a 3-day adult pass). Guided tours for the Valley of the Winds walk are available from approximately AUD $239, which often include transfers and refreshments.
Transport: Accessible by rental car, Uluru Hop On Hop Off shuttle (from Ayers Rock Resort), or as part of an organised tour. Kata Tjuta is about a 50km drive from Yulara.
5. Stargazing Tour
Due to minimal light pollution, Uluru offers exceptional stargazing opportunities. Joining an astronomy tour allows you to delve into the mysteries of the outback night sky, guided by knowledgeable experts. You will gaze through powerful telescopes to observe stars, planets, and deep-sky objects. Some tours also incorporate Indigenous astronomy, sharing cultural stories connected to the constellations. Many tours include a complimentary professional photo with the Milky Way as your backdrop.
Cost: Tours range from approximately AUD $109 to $129 per adult, and AUD $70 to $80 per child, depending on the tour type (e.g., bright moon vs. regular). Tours typically include transfers from Ayers Rock Resort.
Transport: Organised tours provide transfers directly from Ayers Rock Resort accommodation to dedicated viewing areas within Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park.
6. Camel Tour
Embark on a unique camel ride through the desert, offering an elevated perspective of Uluru and Kata Tjuta against the vast red landscape. Camel tours are available for both sunrise and sunset, providing a peaceful and memorable way to experience the changing colours of the iconic formations. Knowledgeable cameleers share insights into the local flora and fauna.
Cost: Prices vary by duration and time of day: an Express 45-minute tour costs around AUD $92, while 1-hour Sunrise or Sunset tours are approximately AUD $159. Tours usually include transfers from Ayers Rock Resort.
Transport: Uluru Camel Tours operates from the Ayers Rock Resort area, accessible via the free resort shuttle, or tour transfers.
7. Field of Light Art Installation
The 'Field of Light' is an immersive art installation by Bruce Munro, featuring thousands of frosted glass spheres that illuminate the desert landscape at twilight. The installation slowly changes colour, creating a magical and contemplative experience under the vast outback sky. Visitors can walk among the shimmering lights, offering a unique sensory encounter that complements the natural beauty of Uluru.
Cost: Various packages are available, often combining the Field of Light experience with sunrise viewing or dinner. For example, a 'Field of Light & Uluru Sunrise' package starts from AUD $989 per person (often includes accommodation and other activities).
Transport: Typically accessed via organised tours that provide transfers from Ayers Rock Resort accommodation.
At TFA Travel we believe in travel for all. Our mission is to enable people to explore the world as easily as possible without having to pay a travel agent a huge commission.
Our typical audience are those that want to see something new and get involved with authentic experiences of a country. Whether you are a backpacker, solo traveller, solo female traveller, straight or LGBTQ+ couple, family, you will find local and authentic experiences here.
