Looking for things to do in Uluru? This guide has got you covered! Experience the majesty of Uluru and enjoy a range of exciting adventures.
Anangu traditional owner and artist Malya Teamay, whose artwork is featured on the entry ticket to Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, has consistently disapproved of individuals risking injury or worse by trying to climb the Rock. “Anangu feel great sorrow when someone is injured or loses their life during the climb,” he mentions. “Taking a photograph is a preferable alternative.”
Since introducing a chain on Uluru’s steep western face in 1964, the climb has attracted tourists despite conflicting with Anangu’s spiritual values and their respectful pleas asking visitors not to engage in the activity for cultural and safety considerations.
On 26 October 2019, the climb up Uluru was officially closed following a unanimous decision by the Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park board. For those curious about alternative activities in Uluru during a trip to this UNESCO World Heritage-listed cultural site, there are plentiful options – over 100 tours and experiences.
Visit Field of Light
Since its establishment in 2016, Field of Light, a location-specific light installation by Bruce Munro at Uluru’s base, has become a must-see. For those who haven’t yet visited, the installation’s duration has been extended indefinitely.
Multiple ways to experience it are available, including the Field of Light Pass starting at $43, which includes a transfer to the site and a self-guided walk. However, the highlight is the Field Of Light Dinner, an exclusive dining experience combining Voyages Ayers Rock Resort’s classic Sounds of Silence dinner with Munro’s work.
The evening commences with canapés and incredible views of Urulu in the sunset, with the illumination of 50,000 solar-powered glass spheres. It progresses to a three-course meal infused with bush tucker flavours and a star talk presenting the southern night sky from an Indigenous viewpoint. The experience concludes with a self-guided tour through the glowing Field of Light.
The evening can start with a camel ride, offering the first glimpse of Uluru during the golden hour or a helicopter arrival.
Participate in a Dot Painting Workshop
Delve into the realm of Aboriginal Art around Uluru by visiting Maruku, a non-profit art and craft organization run by Anangu, comprising approximately 900 artists from over 20 remote communities in the Central and Western deserts. Engage in a dot painting workshop at Voyages Ayers Rock Resort to explore their artistic methods and enjoy crafting your own piece.
Anangu artworks are crafted for educational, ceremonial, and storytelling purposes. In the workshop, you’ll comprehend how Tjukurpa – encompassing creation, law, and stories – forms the foundation of Anangu culture and worldview and is reflected in every artwork. The workshop will teach you the various symbols of Tjukurpa, and with assistance from a Maruku guide and a local artist, you can depict your own life story in colour.
Explore the Uluru-Kata Tjuta Cultural Centre
Initiate your journey by delving into the history of the park and acquainting yourself with the available activities in the region. Additionally, understand the rich culture of the local Anangu people, who have inhabited this land and its surroundings for at least 22,000 years.
Explore Local Indigenous Art
Consider exploring the trio of art galleries at Voyages Ayers Rock Resort: the Gallery of Central Australia (GoCA), Mulgara Gallery, and Mingkiri Arts. The recently inaugurated GoCA, established in 2021, showcases over 300 artworks supporting established and budding artists.
Experience Tali Wiru Dune-Top Dining
An unforgettable experience in the Red Centre is the open-air fine dining at Tali Wiru, which translates to ‘beautiful dune’ in the local Anangu language, Pitjantjatjara. Guests are transported to a secluded southern dune for a champagne welcome at golden hour, accompanied by didgeridoo music. Lanterns and the night sky illuminate the outdoor restaurant, where canapés featuring bush tucker ingredients are served alongside breathtaking views of the desert, Kata Tjuta’s distant domes, and the changing hues of Uluru. A four-course dinner under the stars follows, with dishes incorporating native ingredients. Tali Wiru is open seasonally from April to October.
Traverse Uluru by Foot or Bicycle
Participate in a complimentary ranger-guided Mala Walk to circumnavigate Uluru, explore the traditional custodians’ painted caves and waterholes, or cycle around the base at your leisure. The Uluru Base Walk is a self-guided 10km loop that allows you to intimately experience the magnificent and sacred formation while traversing desert, woodlands, and rock art.
Experience Desert Glamping
For those desiring the liberating spirit of camping accompanied by luxurious touches, consider reserving an unforgettable glamping experience at Longitude 131. This is desert glamping at its pinnacle, offering vistas of Uluru that surpass your wildest imaginations.
Undertake a Bush Tucker Adventure
Explore the wisdom and traditions of Indigenous Australians through complimentary activities at the resort. The Bush Food Experience at Ayers Rock Resort is a favourite, teaching about native bush foods and traditional cooking methods. Taste a variety of seasonal plants, seeds, fruits, and spices, followed by a cooking demonstration.
Participate in the Australian Outback Marathon
Venture into the Country with SEIT Patji
Aerial Views of Uluru and Kata Tjuta
Relax at Red Ochre Spa
Explore Kata Tjuta
Embark on a journey to Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park’s other remarkable rock formations through SEIT Outback Australia’s unconventional tours. Formerly known as the Olgas, Kata Tjuta, translating to ‘many heads’ in Pitjantjatjara, comprises 36 domes rising up to 546 meters, created by the same geological occurrences that exposed Uluru 550 million years ago.
This region, sacred under Anangu men’s law, permits visitor access via the Walpa Gorge walk and the slightly more strenuous Valley of the Winds. Undertake the 7.5-kilometre Valley of the Winds. Walk early in the day to behold breathtaking views and sense the iron-rich sandstone pulsating beneath your feet.
Stargazing at Uluru
Uluru is among the premier locations on Earth for observing the celestial wonders. Outback Sky Journeys offers opportunities to delve into the southern night sky alongside Voyages Ayers Rock Resort’s in-house astronomer. Participants can learn how ancient societies interpreted constellations in their mythologies and use telescopes to study stars and planets.
Relish a Cocktail at the Walpa Lobby Bar
Visit for a pre-dinner beverage, a post-sunset tour drink, or an afternoon cocktail at the cozy Walpa Lobby Bar. The bar offers an array of classic and inventive cocktails, with the signature lemon myrtle martini being a highlight.
Visit Watarrka National Park (Kings Canyon)
Being centrally located offers the opportunity to extend your journey a bit further. A three-hour drive leads you to the majestic red rock formations of Watarrka National Park, also known as Kings Canyon. Embark on the Kings Canyon Rim Walk, savour an exquisite Under a Desert Moon dinner at Kings Canyon Resort, and uncover the verdant Garden of Eden Valley.
Should you prefer guided expertise, an Uluru to Kings Canyon tour facilitated by Autopia Tour is available.
Experience a Sunrise Tour
Awaken before daylight to witness the birth of a new day on the Desert Awakenings Tour, where night stars recede, and vibrant hues herald a fresh start. Relish a traditional Aussie bushman’s breakfast, followed by a guide’s presentation detailing the ancient terrain, ecology, culture, heritage, and history of Australia’s spiritual core.
With this enriched comprehension, trace the paths of the ancestral beings that moulded this unique region on a guided tour around Uluru’s base.
Exploring Uluru on a Segway
For those sceptical of Segways, experiencing the 12-kilometre circumference of Uluru may change your mind. After just 15 minutes of practice, you’ll find Segways easy to use and unexpectedly enjoyable. Gliding on the red-dirt path, you’ll overtake walkers and cyclists, all while appreciating the enormity and detailed features of Uluru. The journey reveals caves, ridges, and grooves that aren’t visible in photographs. Guides share insights into Uluru’s geology and the heritage of its indigenous custodians, Anangu. The tour is open to children aged 12 and up.
Camel Ride Across the Dunes
Skydive Over Uluru
Adrenaline enthusiasts, take note: a tandem skydiving experience awaits, showcasing the Red Centre’s highlights, from Uluru to Kata-Tjuta, Lake Amadeus, and Mt Conner.
Satisfy your thirst for excitement with a thrilling tandem skydive at Uluru.
