Australia / Northern Territory: the Red Centre & the Top End / Uluru (Ayers Rock)Uluru (Ayers Rock)
The Red Centre's Sacred Monolith and Kata Tjuta
The great sandstone monolith sacred to the Anangu, its traditional owners, in the desert at the centre of the continent, with the domes of Kata Tjuta 50 km west. Climbing has been banned since 2019; the 10-km base walk, sunrise and sunset viewing, the Valley of the Winds, the Field of Light and the night-sky talks are the visit. Every room is at Ayers Rock Resort in Yulara, by the airport, so book early. Summer days pass 40 °C.
Highlights
- Sunrise and sunset over Uluru
- Uluru base walk
- Kata Tjuta's Valley of the Winds
- Cultural Centre and Anangu-guided walks
- Field of Light installation
- Outback night-sky stargazing
- Camel ride at dawn
Things to do
- Sunrise at Uluru and the base walkMorning · 4h
- Kata Tjuta: Valley of the Winds walkMorning · 4h
- Uluru-Kata Tjuta Cultural CentreAfternoon · 1h 30m
- Sunset viewing with the colours changing on the rockEvening · 1h 30m
- Field of Light at nightEvening · 2h
Tours & tickets
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When to go
Best time: April – September
Worth knowing
Extreme Summer Heat at Uluru
⚠️ Daytime highs of 35-45 °C. Walks such as the Valley of the Winds close from 11 am on days forecast at 36 °C or more. Walk at sunrise, carry at least a litre of water an hour, wear a fly net and a hat, and rest in the middle of the day. Flies are at their worst in summer.
Heads up
Cold Desert Nights
Winter days are mild (about 20 °C) but nights can fall below 0 °C: bring a warm layer for sunrise viewing and the night-sky tours.