Ayers Rock (Uluru) is an extraordinary natural monument with a base circumference of about 9 kilometers, an elevation of 867 meters, and standing 348 meters above the ground. Stretching over 3,000 meters in length, it rises dramatically from the flat, desolate desert at the very center of the Australian continent, like a timeless, otherworldly monument of nature. Despite its massive presence, the true origins of this unique geological wonder remain a mystery to scientists. Some speculate that it’s a meteorite that fell to Earth millions of years ago, with two-thirds of its mass buried underground, while others suggest it’s deep-sea sediment that surfaced alongside the Australian continent 120 million years ago. This enigma may well remain unsolved forever.
For the Aboriginal people, this rock is known as “Uluru,” meaning “meeting place.” Westerners, however, named it Ayers Rock in 1873 after a European surveyor named William Gosse discovered the rock during an expedition. Since Gosse was from South Australia, he named the site after the then-premier of South Australia, Sir Henry Ayers.
What makes Uluru even more fascinating is its ever-changing colors, almost like a model showcasing new outfits as the day progresses. At sunrise, the massive rock is bathed in a brilliant shade of red, dazzling and magnificent. By noon, it takes on an orange hue, and at sunset, the stone blushes with purples and reds, resembling flames under the expansive blue sky. As night falls, Uluru quietly dons a brownish-yellow “evening gown,” gracefully returning to the embrace of Mother Earth. Its constant transformation leaves all who witness it in awe.
Best Time to Visit:
It’s recommended to visit Ayers Rock during Australia’s winter months. Even in winter, once the sun comes out, daytime temperatures still rise above 20°C (68°F). Most of the walking trails around Ayers Rock are fully exposed with no shade, so during summer, when temperatures soar to around 36°C (97°F), some areas may be closed. In fact, ground temperatures in summer often exceed 40°C (104°F), making the heat unbearable for most visitors.
For safety reasons, climbing Ayers Rock is strictly prohibited under the following conditions:
- High Temperatures: If the forecast predicts Yulara will reach 36°C (97°F) or higher, climbing is closed starting at 8 AM.
- Strong Winds: Climbing is prohibited if winds are forecasted to reach 25 mph or more at 2,500 feet.
- Storms: If a storm occurs within 50 kilometers northwest or southwest of Uluru, climbing is prohibited.
- Rain: If there’s a 20% or greater chance of rain within the next three hours, climbing is closed.
- Lightning: If there’s a 5% or greater chance of a thunderstorm in the next three hours, climbing is not allowed.
- Cloud Cover: If clouds drop to or below the height of Uluru’s peak, climbing is prohibited.
- Darkness: Climbing is forbidden from 30 minutes after sunset until 30 minutes before sunrise.
- Rescue Operations: If a rescue mission is underway on Uluru, climbing is immediately closed.
Ayers Rock
Ayers Rock actually has two major attractions. Besides Uluru, the world’s largest monolith often called the “Heart of Australia,” there’s also Kata Tjuta, located about 50 kilometers away. Kata Tjuta, which means “many heads” in the local Indigenous language, consists of 36 dome-shaped rock formations, creating deep valleys and steep rock walls.
Together, Uluru and Kata Tjuta form the Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park. Despite being called a park, it’s actually a vast, open expanse of land with just a single road leading in. Before entering, visitors are required to stop at a toll booth.
There are three types of passes for the national park: a three-day pass (allowing unlimited entry for three days), a monthly pass, and an annual pass. Most visitors opt for the three-day pass, which costs AUD 25 per person.
Things to Do:
Exploring the national park can generally be divided into guided tours and self-guided trips. For tours, you can join one of the two main operators here: Uluru Express or ATT Kings, both of which offer specific tour packages. If you prefer flexibility, you can rent a car and explore at your own pace, going wherever and whenever you want, and visiting as many times as you’d like.
In addition, you can opt for a helicopter tour or even a camel ride. Both Uluru and Kata Tjuta offer spectacular views of sunrise and sunset, and there are walking trails to enjoy. Hiking through the mystical red desert or rock gorges is an incredibly refreshing and beautiful experience. While the area might look primitive and desolate in pictures, there are actually plenty of facilities. At Uluru, you’ll find three walking trails, a cultural center, two restrooms, and two parking lots. Over at Kata Tjuta, there are two walking trails, two parking areas, one restroom, as well as designated spots to watch the sunrise and sunset.
Guided Tours
There are only two main tour operators here: Uluru Express and ATT Kings. You can sign up for their tours at any hotel or at the information center in Town Square. Keep in mind that all tour prices do not include the national park entrance fee!
(1) Uluru Express: This service offers shuttle buses to both Uluru and Kata Tjuta at various times of the day. Be sure to check the schedule carefully for departure and return times.
(2) AAT Kings: This is one of Australia’s more established tour companies, with over 30 years of experience. In addition to shuttle services, they offer guided tours with in-depth explanations. If you’re planning to start your journey from Alice Springs, they are a great option to consider.
Self-Guided Tour
This is the option I chose because it offers way more flexibility compared to a group tour. You can go whenever you want and as many times as you like. Renting a car costs about $75 per day (not including insurance, which is around $40 per day for full coverage). The rental includes 100 kilometers of free fuel for one day, or 200 kilometers for two days. After that, you’ll be charged $0.25 per kilometer. If you visit multiple times, the cost might end up being the same or even cheaper than a guided tour, but the freedom makes it worth it!
When you arrive at the only climbing path, the parking lot isn’t marked with lines—you just park neatly by instinct. By around 10 a.m., a good number of people had already arrived and were beginning their climb.
From a distance, Uluru looks smooth, but up close, it’s rough and rugged. The mountain may seem steep (with an incline of at least 60°), but thanks to the high friction, it doesn’t feel overly dangerous. That said, climbing it definitely comes with risks!
Looking down from the top, you might not feel the height until you notice how tiny the cars appear below. Looking up, the steep incline becomes obvious. There’s just a single chain to hold onto, and it doesn’t even start from the base, so you rely on it entirely when going up or down.
One crucial tip: if you drop something while climbing, do not attempt to retrieve it! The steep slope won’t let it stop, and it’ll head straight down to the foot of the rock.
From the ground, Uluru doesn’t look that tall or far, so it’s easy to underestimate the challenge and forget to bring water. Make sure you carry plenty with you when climbing!
After getting through the most challenging steep sections, you’ll hit what could be called “flat” terrain. However, it’s still uneven and requires lots of climbing up and jumping down. With nothing but flat plains in every direction, it’s easy to lose your sense of direction, so follow the white line on the ground to stay on track.
Sunrise:
According to the front desk, you’ll want to get up about an hour before sunrise and drive in the dark to the designated Uluru sunrise viewing area. Being in the desert, the temperature difference between day and night is drastic, so even if the sun has you sporting short sleeves during the day, you absolutely need to bundle up in the morning and evening—especially in winter. I was wrapped tightly in a down jacket, but my hands and feet still went numb, and I had to turn on the car’s heater to stay warm.
As the sun rises, Uluru shifts from a deep charcoal black to a subtle red, gradually transforming into brighter shades of red until it glows a radiant orange. During sunset, the sequence happens in reverse, creating a similar stunning show. The ever-changing appearance of Uluru depends on your viewing angle, the position of the sunlight, and the rock’s natural ridges, making it seem like no two sides of Uluru are ever the same. It morphs with the sun throughout the day, offering a unique experience from every perspective.
Hiking:
There are several designated trails around Uluru and Kata Tjuta, ranging from short walks to longer hikes. The longest trail encircles Uluru, measuring about 10.6 kilometers and taking approximately 3.5 hours to complete.
Overall, Kata Tjuta offers just two short trails, but seeing it from a distance is even more breathtaking than getting up close. The sheer grandeur of nature is truly awe-inspiring.
Other Activities:
In addition to walking, driving, joining group tours, or self-driving, there are other individual activities to choose from.
Camel Tours:
You can find a camel tour booth at the information center in Town Square. The tours take you on a 1.5-hour ride in an area close to the resort but far from Uluru, with each camel able to carry two people. It’s a unique experience, but it doesn’t come cheap—prices start at over $100 per person.
Scenic Flights:
Companies like Ayers Rock Helicopters and Ayers Rock Scenic Flights offer a breathtaking aerial view of Australia’s heart. You can even fly over Kings Canyon mentioned earlier. However, the cost can be quite steep; the shortest and cheapest flight is only 15 minutes for around $110 per person, while the more extensive options can go up to $390 per person. So, if you’re really interested in the aerial views, you might catch a good glimpse while flying in.
Accommodation Guide:
At Ayers Rock, there is only one resort called Yulara, located about 4 kilometers from the airport. Upon landing, you can take a free shuttle bus to the resort. Yulara features four hotels and one campground. Whether it’s fully privately owned or monopolized isn’t clear, but since it’s the only resort in the area, your options for staying near Ayers Rock are limited to these accommodations. As a result, prices tend to be quite high.
Dining Guide:
There are nine dining options available, located within the hotels mentioned earlier. These include Grab & Go Coffee Cart, Rockpool, White Gums, Arnguli Grill, Bough House, Outback Pioneer BBQ, Outback Pioneer Kitchen, Bunya Bar, and Geckos Café. You can stay at one hotel and choose to dine at another, so there are plenty of choices to satisfy your cravings!
Tour Itinerary Guide:
Time Allocation: Three days is sufficient.
Round-trip flights typically arrive around midday, meaning two full days are enough for your visit. If you plan to go camel riding or take a helicopter tour, consider extending your stay.
Day 1:
- Arrive around 1 PM and check in.
- Visit the supermarket at Town Square to pick up some food, then enjoy afternoon tea at the café.
- Use your phone to book a rental car and relax on the lawn while watching a performance.
- Head to the highest outlook point in the sandy scrubland of the resort to catch the sunset over Uluru, usually around 6 PM.
Day 2:
- Pick up your rental car at 9 AM (the rental company opens at this time) and drive directly to Uluru.
- Spend about two hours climbing Uluru, then explore the walking trails around it.
- Drive to Kata Tjuta and hike through the Valley of the Winds before returning to Uluru for sunset.
Day 3:
- Wake up at 6 AM and head straight to the sunrise viewing area at Uluru.
- After enjoying the sunrise, return to the resort to pack your bags and load them into your car.
- Take a walk on another trail at Uluru before driving to the airport to return your car and wait for your flight, which departs just after 1 PM.
