17 November 2024
10 mins Read
The spectacular is a bucket-list item for most Australians, as well as travellers from further afield. And it’s no wonder. This glowing monolith isn’t just a force to be reckoned with in the wider Australian cultural imagination; it also forms the centre of many stories for the Aṉangu people who consider Uluṟu, as well as many of the surrounding watering holes, caves and gorges, deeply sacred. With so many stories to be told and to listen to at this UNESCO World Heritage Site, our list of top tours will make it easier to get every drop out of your visit to the Red Centre
Watch the sunrise from the air over one of the world’s most iconic views, that of Uluṟu. To take in a majestic birds-eye-view, book with Fly Uluru, who operates Ayers Rock Helicopters and Ayers Rock Scenic Flights.
Fly above the breathtaking Uluru rocks while admiring the sunrise. (Image: Tourism NT/Shaana McNaught)
Fly Uluṟu has been flying in the outback since 1989 and is still going strong. Head out for a 40- or 30-minute spin on a plane or helicopter at sunrise or sunset on the Uluṟu & Kata Tjuṯa Scenic Flight, or extend to two hours to include sights like Lake Amadeus and King’s Canyon. Their 15-minute Uluṟu Rock Blast 15-minute tour starts from $145.
Get the most amazing views of the desert surrounds. (Image: Tourism NT/Shaana McNaught)
Alternatively, you can opt for this golden hour tour where your feet are a lot closer to the ground — but still not quite touching. Uluṟu Camel Tours is a family-friendly group, that runs mid-morning and sunrise and sunset camel rides through the sands of the Red Centre.
Enjoy an hour of a camel ride during sunset or sunrise. (Image: Tourism NT/Plenty of Dust)
Watch the colours change, as you listen to your guide tell you about the surrounding flora and fauna, all from behind the hump of your noble desert steed. Prices from $135 include freshly baked beer damper with jams, tea and coffee.
Admire the Uluṟu landscape as the colours change over the horizon. (Image: Tourism NT/Plenty of Dust)
While nothing can compete with watching the dawn break over Uluṟu and Kata Tjuṯa, the tens of thousands of light that comprise artist Bruce Munro’s Field of Light installation sure gives it a run for its money. Watch the shifting hues of this massive artwork wax and wane as the frosted spheres dim as the sun comes up. Costs run from $75 per person.
Catch the spectacular Field of Light. (Image: Tourism NT/Tourism Australia)
Hey there, Easy Rider. Fancy seeing the sandstone monolith on the back of a Harley? Stupid question. Book onto Uluṟu Motorcycles’ Sunrise Harley tour to be chauffeured around on the back of your bike by a rider, who will take you to the Talinguru Nyakunytjaku viewing area before doing a lap of Uluṟu. From $229 for 90 minutes.
Ride a Harley-Davidson across the beautiful Uluṟu-Kata Tjuṯa National Park. (Image: Tourism NT)
Did you know you can get a free guided walk of the base? Take the Mala Walk at the base of Uluru, which is named for the Mala people (the local Aṉangu’s peoples ancestors), with a local ranger. Learn about the meaning of the rock art along the ancient walls, and hear the Tjukurpa (creation stories) of the formations here. The walk is two kilometres and wheelchair accessible. It ends at Kantju Gorge, which is a wonderful place to finish and watch the sunset.
Take the scenic path from Mala carpark to Kantju Gorge. (Image: Tourism NT/Tourism Australia)
Go the whole hog with this guided 10.5-kilometre walk around Uluṟu’s base, which starts when you are picked up an hour before sunrise. Next is a light breakfast, before starting on the Kuniya Walk and watching the desert wake up around you.
As you walk, you will hear stories of Tjukurpa, stop by the Kantju Gorge and see the rock art of the Mutitjulu Waterhole, and hear about the battle between Kuniya, the woman python woman, and Liru, the poisonous brown snake man, that occurred here, with their story told in the landscape. The cost starts from $189 and includes return travel.
Marvel over the Aboriginal rock art at the Mutitjulu Waterhole. (Image: Tourism NT)
Don’t try to be a snob, segways are the bomb. Easy to use and fun; you get to travel as a tight group from the fast walkers to the slow pokes.
Get up close and personal with the picturesque landscape of Uluṟu. (Image: Tourism NT/Tourism Australia)
Try out a small group tour with Uluṟu Segways and journey 12 kilometres around the base of Uluṟu on a guided tour. Options include tours that include and exclude returns, as well as sunset tours that come with nibbles and sparkling wine. Priced from $149.
Explore the entire Uluṟu without having to walk. (Image: Tourism NT/Tourism Australia)
The Maruku Arts group is an Indigenous-owned and operated organisation, whose name literally means “belonging to black”. Staggeringly, almost 900 Aṉangu artists make up the collective.
Witness the wonders of making a Maruku dot painting. (Image: Tourism NT/The Salty Travellers)
Support their work and learn from their knowledge on the Cave Art Tour, which sees travellers take the Kuniya Walk to hear the Tjukurpa stories.
Learn about the ancient symbols used in Aṉangu art. (Image: Tourism NT/Matt Glastonbury)
The stories are first told by your Aṉangu guide in Pitjantjatjara, then in English. Prices are from $89. Pair with a dot-painting workshop taught by a local Aṉangu artist, assisted by an interpreter from $72.
Immerse in the colourful Aṉangu art culture. (Image: Tourism NT)
Venture out to see Uluṟu’s sister site of Kata Tjuṯa with this AAT Kings tour. Begin the day before the crack of dawn as you watch the sunrise at Talinguru Nyakunytjaku, the viewing area. Next, drive to Kata Tjuṯa, a sacred space for Anangu men, as your guide tells you the history of the surrounding parklands.
Catch stunning sunrise views amidst the rugged landscape. (Image: Tourism NT/Salty Aura)
On your arrival at the steep-sided domes, the group will explore Walpa Gorge and check out the oasis there. While you are allowed to visit the sacred space of Kata Tjuṯa, remain respectful and be careful what you photograph; you don’t want to reveal hidden secrets of the area.
Go on a scenic sunrise tour across Uluṟu’s marvellous jagged scenery. (Image: Tourism NT/Tourism Australia)
An intimate night of fabulous dining that will take your sense of taste on a veritable tour.
Indulge in the appetising Tali Wiṟu dining experience. (Image: Tourism NT/Tourism Australia)
The Tali Wiṟu dining experience sees you travel out to a nearby dune (the name ‘Tali Wiṟu’ means beautiful dune), for a night of bush tucker canapes, a three-course meal, and matched wines. And when we say bush tucker, we’re not talking about your average crocodile steak — or making any part of this experience snappy.
Savour international flavours carefully curated just for you. (Image: Tourism NT/Tourism Australia)
Instead, delight over course after course of quandong coulis and native warrigal greens, toothfish with bush honey marinated heirloom carrots, gulguk (green ant) gin and tonics, kangaroo croquettes and more.
Each meal bursts with ornamental flavours. (Image: Tourism NT/Tourism Australia)
Your time out among the dunes also includes a didgeridoo performance and Indigenous storytelling. The price starts from $440 per person.
Experience dining with a bonfire setup. (Image: Tourism NT/Tourism Australia)
Pair one of the most famous Uluru dining experiences with one of the most celebrated artworks, Bruce Munro’s Field of Light.
Be surrounded by a field of colourful lights. (Image: Tourism NT/Tourism Australia)
Get picked up at your hotel, where you’ll be taken out to the outback between Kata Tjuṯa and Uluṟu, for canapés, wines and a barbecue buffet characterised by indigenous flavours. Includes installation entry, a three-course bush tucker menu, a stargazing talk and a didgeridoo performance.
Drink and dine under the Southern Desert sky. (Image: Tourism NT/Tourism Australia)
Still hungry? The best options for dining at Uluṟu can be found here.
You don’t need a guide to do the Uluṟu base walk (although there is a free one available, see above). Instead, have some spiritually refreshing alone time as you follow the rock around its base along the 10-kilometre track. It is recommended to start at the Mala car park, and to do so in the early hours in hotter weather. There is water and toilets available on the hike, and a map can be found at Parks Australia.
Traverse the Uluṟu scenic path during a self-guided base walk. (Image: Tourism NT/The Salty Travellers)
After attending the free presentation on the Uluṟu-Kata Tjuṯa National Park and Aṉangu culture at the Cultural Centre, and checking out some of the art and activities there, it’s time to pick up the bikes and head on out. Outback Cycles has bicycle rentals, which you can hire between sunrise and late afternoon.
Hop on a bike and explore the rugged landscapes. (Image: Tourism NT/Kate Flowers)
If you’re staying near Uluṟu, chances are it’ll be at Ayers Rock Resort, which offer a whole range of free activities you can check out. See a Bush Tucker Experience with a free cooking demonstration, check out the local flora and bush foods with a guide in the gardens of the Desert Gardens Hotel, sign up for the daily tour of the Gallery of Central Australia (GoCA) (read more about GoCA in our three-day itinerary) and take a visit to pat the camels at the Uluṟu Camel Tour petting farm.
Learn about the indigenous bush food ingredients at the Ayers Rock Resort. (Image: Voyages Indigenous Tourism Australia)
The whole family will love gazing up at the stars that lie above Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park at night, listening quietly as the resident guide explains the astronomy of the planets and heavenly bodies above.
Gaze at the night sky lit by a thousand stars in the Milky Way. (Image: Tourism NT/New Asia Pacific Travel Pty Ltd.)
Uluru Astro Tours has a special permit to run stargazing tours in the park, so it is well worth booking this small-group experience. Children are from $60 and adults are from $99 for this 2.5-hour tour.
Head to Uluru for a deep stargazing experience you’ll never forget. (Image: Voyages Indigenous Tourism Australia)
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