No - the climb was permanently closed in October 2019 at the request of the Anangu Traditional Owners. The 10.6km base walk is the recommended alternative and arguably a more rewarding experience anyway.

When is the best time to visit Uluru?

May to September offers comfortable daytime temperatures (20-27°C) and clear skies. Avoid January and February when daytime highs regularly exceed 40°C. April and October are excellent shoulder months.

How many days do I need at Uluru?

Two nights is the minimum to comfortably do sunrise, base walk, Kata Tjuta and sunset. Three nights allows for Field of Light, a cultural tour, and more relaxed pacing.

Uluru & The Red Centre Guide 2026

A single sandstone monolith rising 348 metres from the desert floor - sacred to the Anangu people for over 30,000 years and the spiritual heart of Australia.

Uluru is not what most first-time visitors expect. Photographs make it look like a giant rock in the middle of nothing. In reality, the monolith - 348 metres tall, 3.6 kilometres long, with another 2.5 kilometres beneath the surface - sits in the centre of the Red Centre, surrounded by the equally striking Kata Tjuta domes, a thriving Aboriginal cultural community, and one of the most distinctive landscapes on earth. Two to three nights here is the right amount for most travellers.

Getting There

Ayers Rock Airport (AYQ) at the Ayers Rock Resort receives direct flights from Sydney (3 hrs), Melbourne (3 hrs), Brisbane (4 hrs) and several other Australian cities. There is no rental car infrastructure of note - everyone stays at the Ayers Rock Resort complex (Yulara) about 15 minutes' drive from Uluru itself, or at the luxury Longitude 131° property a few kilometres further.

The Climb Is Closed - And That's a Good Thing

In October 2019, the Anangu Traditional Owners - who had asked visitors for decades not to climb their sacred rock - succeeded in having the climb permanently closed. Doing the 10.6-kilometre base walk (3 hours) instead reveals the monolith's full personality: hidden waterholes, sacred caves with ancient rock art, and dramatic changes in colour and texture along the perimeter. Walk in the cool of dawn or late afternoon.

Sunrise and Sunset

Sunrise viewpoint: Talinguru Nyakunytjaku - the "place to look from the sand dunes" - purpose-built for dawn views
Sunset viewpoints: the dedicated Sunset Viewing Area on the western side, or the more elevated Kata Tjuta sunset spot
The colour shift from terracotta to deep red to glowing pink at sunset is genuinely real - not just a photograph filter
Arrive 45 minutes before sunset; bring water, mosquito repellent, and a wine if you've brought your own

The Field of Light - Bruce Munro's Installation

British artist Bruce Munro's Field of Light - 50,000 solar-powered glowing stems spread across a desert plain the size of seven football fields - was originally planned as a 12-month installation in 2016 and has been extended indefinitely. Sunset-to-stars experiences include dinner under the stars at varying price points. Pre-book the Field of Light Star Pass with dinner as it sells out months in advance.

Kata Tjuta - The Other Half

Forty kilometres west of Uluru, the 36 red domes of Kata Tjuta (formerly "The Olgas") are equally sacred and arguably more dramatic. The Valley of the Winds Walk (7.4 km, 3-4 hours) winds between domes and is the single best hike in the park. The Walpa Gorge Walk (2.6 km, 1 hour) is the easier alternative. Both are off-limits when temperatures exceed 36°C.

Aboriginal Cultural Experiences

The Anangu Traditional Owners are the most important guides to genuine understanding of Uluru. Excellent operators:

SEIT Outback Australia - Anangu-led tours including dot-painting workshops
Anangu Tours from the Cultural Centre - short walks led by Traditional Owners
Maruku Arts at the Cultural Centre - dot-painting workshops, the most meaningful souvenir option
The Mala Walk (free, daily) led by Anangu guides each morning from the Mala car park

Where to Stay

Longitude 131° - sixteen tented pavilions facing Uluru across the desert; the country's most extraordinary lodge; from AUD 3,500/couple all-inclusive
Sails in the Desert - the flagship Ayers Rock Resort hotel; comfortable 5-star, no Uluru view from rooms
Desert Gardens - mid-luxury with some Uluru-view rooms
Emu Walk Apartments - self-contained for families
Outback Pioneer - budget; dorms and motel rooms
Ayers Rock Campground - for the road-trippers

The Dining Highlights

Sounds of Silence - outdoor dinner in the desert with sunset over Uluru, didgeridoo and astronomical commentary. The classic Ayers Rock dining experience
Tali Wiru - the smaller, more exclusive version of Sounds of Silence; only 40 guests, 4-course menu
Dune House at Longitude 131° - fine dining for in-house guests with Uluru framed through the glass

Tips & Tricks

Climate: April-September is the comfortable window; January temperatures regularly hit 45°C. May-August nights drop to near freezing
Flies: intense October-March; bring a head net (often issued free at hotels)
Sun: brutal year-round; long sleeves, broad-brim hat, SPF 50+, sunglasses
Water: drink 3L/day minimum; refill at every facility
Photography: respect sacred-site signage. Many sections of Uluru are deeply sacred to Anangu men or women and may not be photographed; respect these
Park pass: a 3-day pass costs AUD 38 - covers Uluru and Kata Tjuta. Available at the entrance station