Uluru is a unique destination in the middle of mainland Australia. It is significant due to its importance to local Aboriginal people and has become a major tourist attraction due to its uniqueness. As an enormous rock protruding from the red sand desert around it, it truly is remarkable to see, along with the other rock formations that can be found in the region. So you may be wondering when the best time of year to visit Uluru is among other questions. Read this article to find out everything you need to be prepared for your visit.
What is the Best Time of Year to Visit Uluru? When Should You Not Visit Uluru?
Because Uluru is located in the middle of the desert, it can be in a very harsh and hot climate. You can visit any time of the year but you should be prepared for extreme heat in the summer months and bring sufficient water when out on hikes throughout the region. The weather during the day is most pleasant between May and September, with the shoulder months of April and October as great options as well. The evenings can get quite cold during the winter months so make sure you are prepared for those sunset vistas and camping experiences.
The summer months of December through February are going to be the hottest of the year with temperatures rising to 97°F or 36°C on average. It is also important to note that heat and sun in the southern hemisphere is warmer and stronger than in the northern hemisphere due to the thinning of the ozone layer and the hole in the ozone over the continent of Australia. With the heat in this area comes tons and tons of flies. And we are not exaggerating! The flies are looking for any source of moisture in the dry desert and will try to go into your mouth, nose, and eyes to get any water. They will be pesky to the point where you will not be able to talk or eat while out in the desert. If you get lucky and it has recently rained, you may have fewer issues with flies. No matter when you go, bring a fly or mosquito net cover to visit the Uluru area, especially in the summer months. Purchase the net cover prior to arriving in Uluru because you will be paying a premium for the net around Uluru.
Where is Uluru Located?
Uluru is located in the center of Australia in the Red Centre desert. It is part of the Northern Territory.
Are Ayers Rock and Uluru the Same?
Yes, and no. Ayers Rock is the name given to the rock by non-Aboriginal explorers (of European descent). Now, Ayers Rock is used as the name of the airport (it’s hard to change the name of an airport) and the main resort and hotel area near the rock. However, the name of the rock itself and the area has been returned to the Aboriginal name of Uluru. The official name is Uluru / Ayers Rock (in that order) but it is always referred to by its original name.
What is there to Do in Uluru?
In Uluru and the overall region, there is a plethora to do that range from hiking and biking activities to cultural explorations. The area is sacred to Aboriginal people and is a great place to learn about their history, customs, and culture. All guides in the Uluru region have particular certifications, developed by the Aboriginal people here, to be able to work in and around Uluru. You can visit the Uluru-Kata Tjuta Cultural Centre to learn more. There are also a variety of ways to visit Uluru, including biking around the base, segwaying around the rock, or walking either independently or with a tour group. You can also walk through Kata Tjuta and Kings Canyon to experience these sacred areas. Finally, staying at the Ayers Rock resort gives you access to pool facilities to relax in the Red Desert during your stay. The resort also organizes a variety of sunrise and sunset activities, including dinners, breakfasts, light shows, and more that can entertain you all while experiencing this beautiful landscape.
What is the best way to get to Uluru?
The most direct airport to see Uluru and Kata Tjuta is the Ayers Rock airport. The Ayers Rock resort has a shuttle that runs between the hotel area of Uluru and the airport, giving you easy access to your accommodation, if this is where you are staying. If you are doing a group tour with camping or glamping accommodations independently from the Ayers Rock resort, then they typically pick you up from the airport. Finally, there are a few car rental agencies at the airport as well, should you need your own transportation. If you are considering visiting Kings Canyon, you may want to look into flying into Uluru and out of Alice Springs (or vice versa) because Kings Canyon is right in between the two airports.
What is the Difference Between Uluru, Yulara, and Alice Springs?
Uluru is a large rock and iconic landmark in the middle of the Red Desert of Australia. It is also the overall region around the rock, including the Ayers Rock resort and Kata Tjuta. Yulara is the town outside of the airport of Ayers Rock and the town in which all the hotels of Uluru reside. Alice Springs is the largest town in the area, located 6 hours away from Uluru and Yulara. There are airports in both Uluru and Alice Springs.
Where Should You Stay to Visit Uluru?
If you are looking for hotel accommodations or a campground, you can look into staying at Ayers Rock resort in Yulara, the town outside of Uluru. The collection of hotels in Uluru all belong to the Ayers Rock resort and are at a variety of budgets to accommodate most visitors in the area. They also have a campground with powered and unpowered sites and a swimming pool that you can use if you want to camp in the desert.
You can check out various hotels for the Uluru area here.
To visit Kings Canyon independently, you can look into the Discovery Resorts – Kings Canyon for hotel-like accommodations or the nearby campground.
What to Wear in Uluru?
There are a few things to consider when determining what to wear while in the Uluru region no matter if it’s the best time of year to visit Uluru or not.
- Consider the weather and the heat and dress in light clothing that does not trap your sweat. At night, you may want an extra layer, especially in the winter, because the desert can get quite cold in the evenings after the sun sets.
- Because of the strength of the sun, you will want to wear clothing that covers your skin, such as long sleeves or pants or to wear and reapply sunscreen consistently. You may also want to bring a cap or a wide brim hat to protect your face and neck.
- You will want to wear close-toed shoes for the walks around Uluru, Kata Tjuta, and Kings Canyon.
- Bring a fly or mosquito net to protect your face, mouth, nose, and eyes from the flies in the area that are looking for moisture.
The Blueprint Travelers Hiking Staples
How Can You Visit Uluru Without a Car?
There are a few ways that you can visit Uluru without a car. It truly is not necessary to rent a vehicle to get a lot out of the area. The easiest way to visit Uluru, Kata Tjuta, and Kings Canyon is through a tour group that includes transportation, accommodation, and food.
If you want to stay at a hotel in the Ayers Rock resort, you can use the Uluru Hop on Hop Off bus service to visit Uluru and Kata Tjuta. They have a variety of different passes that range from transportation for simply sunset to multi-day passes that give you more flexibility. You can read more on their website here.
The Ayers Rock resort also provides a variety of experiences and can help coordinate different tours, all of which depart directly from the resort. These include different hikes, biking opportunities, sunset dinners, light shows, and more. Their website has different experiences (both free ones that happen at the resort and paid ones that happen around the Uluru area) that can take you to Uluru and Kata Tjuta at different times of day and through a variety of activities. If you do not want to reserve activities through the resort, you can look into SEIT, an organization that provides small group tours to explore the Uluru region.
Some tours that are unique to the region and popular with tourists include the Wintjiri Wiru experience which is a drone show over the desert connected to the stories of the local Anangu people. The other popular experience is the Field of Light Uluru, a light art installation through the desert that completely transforms the landscape.
Unfortunately, the Ayers Rock resort and SEIT tour group do not provide offerings to visit Kings Canyon. For that, you may have to look into a multi-day tour or rent a vehicle independently to explore the canyon.
Don't forget to rent your car to visit the Uluru area.