Top Things to Do in Uluru: A Visit To The Red Centre

Our Suggestions Of Things To Do In Uluru For 3 Days

When planning our trip in Australia, it was always in the plan to visit this iconic location. Visiting Uluru does take some time and investment as it is quite remote but for those that want to explore the outback and see a completely different part of the central area of Australia, it should be included on an Australian itinerary.

In this blog post we will discuss what there is to do when you reach the Red Centre and detail the activities that we did while there for 3 days.

Highlights of Uluru

Explore the Rock On The Trail Around The Base

Seeing this rock from a distance is good but if you really want to appreciate the incredible size of the structure then you need to plan to explore it on the surrounding trail. The rock is enormous spanning 9.5 kms but the trail around it is approximately 11 kms. 

Being on the trail allows you to see the sandstone up close and really appreciate that this is one massive, single piece of rock! It was formed 350 million years ago from a buildup of sand and rocks after the ice age.  At that time, the continent was morphing, draining much of the accumulated water and the rock popped up out of the ground when the sandstone floor split.  

The rock that stands there now is 348m high, but this is only the tip of one end. It is thought that approximately 1.5 to 2 kms more is under the ground. Researchers know that it is standing on its side since you can see the accumulated lines of sediment that run up and down showing it was originally horizontal.

And the rock is slowly getting taller due to the erosion of the desert plain. Estimates think it has grown by 2-3 metres in the last few thousand years.

Circling around the base allows you to see the different types of vegetation that has adapted to this harsh environment. And these species have been able to regrow when fires are started by frequent lightning storms. 

If you participate in a tour you will learn about the indigenous people (the Anangu People) who came to this area 30,000 years ago. This rock is considered a sacred place to them and is an important factor in their culture and customs. As a result, it is important to understand the significance of the area and respect the land here.

Different areas of the rock are designated as only available for men or women and as you venture along the trail there is signage indicating no photos or videos are allowed. This is to make sure images of these important areas are not shared with those who aren’t permitted to see them.

The Anangu have many legends and creation stories about different parts of the rock face and use these stories to teach children about landmarks and values that are important. It is also a way for them to learn survival tactics. This is taught not only at home but in school as well. It is an important means of keeping their heritage alive and well.

Seeing the rock from this vantage point is highly recommended to gain a full appreciation for this truly amazing site. You can plan to walk the trail which takes approximately 3-4 hours, or book one of the numerous Uluru tours such as a camel ride or segway to cover the trail.

It is important to note that you require a National Park Pass to visit the Rock. This can be purchased in advance, online at this link.

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Explore By Segway

We wanted an up-close interaction but didn’t really want to walk the 11kms. And since we had been on camel rides in Egypt, Israel and Dubai, we thought we would opt for a new experience and book a Segway tour as one of our day’s activities.

Tours are offered in the morning to enable a view of the sunrise and to complete the activity before the heat sets in.  This means a 4:45am pick up from the hotel and transfer to a location for breakfast where you can see the sunrise around the rock. 

We took some lovely photos in this area, but our breakfast was cut short by a rainstorm that came through the area. Thankfully the trail was deemed ok by the rangers who assessed the pathways and approved our tour operator to conduct the tour.

After being fitted with helmets, and elbow and knee pads, we had an orientation with the Segways. This involved learning the basics of how they operate and then practicing on a mini track to learn how to turn, go over bumps and of course, brake and dismount.  It was a learning curve at first, but we eventually got the hang of it and the group set off on the tour.

Our guide led us along the trail while we stared up in awe at the amazing structure in front of us. The shrubbery, cacti and trees around have all adapted to the harsh conditions and we even saw some flowers and vegetables such as bush tomatoes growing on the dark red earth.

We stopped regularly to take a break while the guide explained some of the significant sacred areas and the legends behind them.  We also saw the area where there was originally a chain for climbing up the rock and the damage is still visible.  That has thankfully been removed now and climbing the rock is illegal. We were happy to hear that this important spot for the Anangu people is now being better protected. 

It took us approximately 2 hours to complete the trail with several stops along the way. Once we returned to the starting point, we went for a short walk to see the Kapi Mutitjulu watering hole. This is the only permanent water source for the area and has only dried up a few times over the centuries. It is fed only by rainwater. 

We would recommend this as a great way to explore the base of Uluru. 

✅ This is the Segway tour that we took to cover the base of Uluru. It was well run and we felt safe while riding the Segways. Check it out!

Sounds of Silence

We had heard about the outback experience of eating under the stars so we made sure to include this on our itinerary.

This dinner included a pick-up from the resort and a transfer to an open area just outside the resort complex. You walk from the parking lot along a gravel pathway to the open area that has a nice view of Uluru. Here you are served sparkling wine and canapés while waiting for the sun to set. 

The view of the rock with the different shades of colour is quite lovely to see against the darkening night sky.

Once the sun had completely set, we were ushered to the dining area where there were tables set with tablecloths and a sizeable buffet.

We had a nice introduction to our table mates and proceeded to wait until it was our time to go to the buffet. Certainly not my preferred method for food serving, but we went with it and there was a large selection of food available. Some traditional foods and others more mainstream. And following that was a variety of desserts and free flowing drinks during the evening.

During the dinner, there was an aboriginal man who played the didgeridoo for us and it was fascinating to hear.

Following dinner, there was a guided talk about the night sky – unfortunately, it was quite overcast the day we were there but it was nice to hear about the constellations that were above the clouds. It was almost meditative in nature and topped off the evening just right.

It was a beautiful experience out in the desert and made even more so by the electrical lightning that continuously lit up the sky!

Field of Light Art Installation

As part of our dinner, we were also invited to see the Field of Light installation. This can also be visited separately at both sunrise and sunset.

We were told that the installation was created by a British artist named Bruce Munroe. He was inspired by the colours in the desert around Uluru during the golden hours. At home, he created many prototypes that eventually led to the massive installation that is available now for all to enjoy.  

As you meander along the path, you can enjoy the illumination of 50,000 lights that are twinkling and sequentially lighting up across an area the size of more than seven football fields. 

It is an amazing sight to watch the lights in different colours as far as you can see. We found it to be a magical place and would highly recommend seeing this piece of art.

The display has been extended many times, and when we were there, it was suggested that there was a possibility that it might be coming to an end. There was no definitive timeframe for this so be sure to check and see if you can book it to enjoy something very special and unique.

✅ This is a dedicated tour to see the Field of Lights art installation. It includes transportation and a light snack. We loved this site and really recommend seeing it.

Kata Tjuta National Park

We originally had a tour booked to visit this separate area but realized that with the super early morning start for the Segway tour, it would be a bit much to try to squeeze this in on the same day.

But this is another popular location approximately 45 minutes away, with a secondary rock formation that encompasses a beautiful gorge. Many people take guided walking tours or view the sunrise of sunset here with breakfast or appetizers and bubbly. 

✅ This is a highly rated tour that you can look at to provide you with transport and breakfast to see the sunrise at this beautiful location.

Kings Canyon

If you are visiting Uluru but not going to Alice Springs, you may want to book a day trip from here to visit Kings Canyon. It is almost a 3 hour drive to make it to this large canyon. But if you enjoy hiking in a beautiful natural setting this is worth planning the long day to visit here.

Day trips can be arranged directly from the resort and include transportation, breakfast and guided hikes either around the canyon rim or along the creek bed. This gives you the chance to explore a massive canyon that is still very active in its formation and see various kinds of vegetation that survive in these harsh conditions.

Note that you do require a different Park Pass to visit this area.

✅ If you are looking for a reputable company to take you to Kings Canyon then take a look at the tour we took. Excellent guides and safe transport made for an enjoyable day.

FAQs

How To Get To Uluru

JetStar, Quantas and Virgin all provide flights to Uluru (AYQ airport code). We flew direct from Cairns, after our time in Port Douglas, but there are also flights from Sydney, Melbourne, Perth and other major cities. 

Once you arrive at the airport there are shuttle buses that run regularly and drop off at the various accommodation properties within the Ayers Rock Resort.

How Many Days Is Enough In Uluru?

We found that three days was enough for us to explore this area. We had both a sunrise and sunset experience and a long day trip to Kings Canyon within that timeframe.

Uluru Accommodation

Ayers Rock Resort, located in Yulara, is essentially the only option for where to stay overnight due to its remote location. The resort complex is set up like a small town and includes a town centre with shopping.

Spread around the area are a wide variety of accommodation styles, ranging from camping to apartments to a luxury resort. Most of them have restaurants onsite and each is connected by a shuttle service that runs very regularly.

We stayed at the Desert Gardens Hotel, (one level down from the luxury property) and found it to be fine. The room was very basic and reminded us of a dormitory setting. But the grounds were nice, and the restaurants on site were good.

We were impressed by the fact that the entire complex is used as a training facility for the Indigenous people who want to learn about the hospitality industry and it provides job opportunities in many different positions.

Other Things To Know 

If you are visiting in the summer or fall, the entire area has many flies. If having flies buzzing around you constantly makes you crazy, then make sure you bring nets that can fit over your hat and cover your face. You will thank me later.  

It was the only way that I was able to manage outside time – that and having long pants and a light long-sleeved shirt so you don’t continually have to swat them away.

Another thing to note is that this area is a dry zone. Alcohol is available at the restaurants but it is trickier if you want to buy some wine or beer to have in your room.

There is one location available called the Outback Bottle Shop and it is located at Outback Hotel and Lodge. There is a limit of one bottle per person, per day and they do keep track.

Is Uluru Worth Visiting?

Many people have asked us what is the best thing about Uluru? There is a natural beauty in the desert that is very different from other landscapes. It is quiet and serene and the rock itself is truly majestic. Seeing the sand, the wide open spaces and the sky with loads of stars makes Uluru worth visiting.

Final Word: Things To Do In Uluru

Visiting the Northern Territory in the centre of Australia can be an adventure. It can be expensive to reach its remote location and it does take some time to reach there due to the distance from major cities. But we found there were many interesting outdoor activities to do while in the Red Centre. If you appreciate natural, rugged beauty, along with beautiful sunrise and sunsets, we would recommend including a trip to see Uluru.