The Best Way to Visit Uluru
Uluru is a unique and enormous rock that protrudes out of the ground in the center of the desert of Australia. More importantly, it is a sacred location for the Aboriginal people of the Red Center of Australia. Visiting it and the areas around it can be a powerful way to get to know more about the Aboriginal culture of this country.
About Uluru and The Red Center of Australia
The Red Center of Australia is an iconic landscape that stands out as a visually mesmerizing part of the country. The striking red dirt is something that most people relate to the country and getting to see it for yourself is something that is really unforgettable. Besides the remarkable color of the earth here, the other important aspect to this part of the country is the spiritual importance of the rock formations and landmarks to the Aboriginal people, such as Uluru, Kata Tjuta, Kings Canyon, and others.
The four major landmarks of the Red Center
Uluru
This rock is the namesake of the region and the most iconic piece of the red desert landscape of the center of Australia. Uluru is quite stunning due to its size and stark protrusion from the flat landscape all around it.
Kata Tjuta
Kata Tjuta is a formation of a few large domed rocks in the desert near Uluru. The Valley of the Winds is the most popular hike that will take you through the transformative landscape. Because of the sacredness of this place, you cannot take photos while hiking within the formation.
Kings Canyon
Kings Canyon is located 3.5 hours away from Uluru towards Alice Springs. The best hike in this canyon is the rim walk, a walk that takes you both above the canyon on the rim and down into the canyon to the Garden of Eden, a fresh water hole with a variety of plants.
Atila (Mount Conner)
Atila is known as Fuluru because visitors sometimes mistake it for the iconic Uluru rock. You cannot visit Atila because it is currently owned by a private landowner. The other formations are owned by the traditional owners of the area.
Blueprint Travelers Tour Recommendation
Mulgas Adventures
Mulgas Adventures is a small family-owned business that has been operating in the Red Center desert for over 40 years. They have a small team that guide groups between Uluru, Alice Springs, and Darwin and focus on tours around the Red Center of the Northern Territory of Australia. Their guides are well informed with information about the Aboriginal culture and history of the Anagu people and ensure that all visitors are aware and informed about the local indigenous people.
Some FAQs About the Red Center
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.
When is the best time 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 should you fly to to visit 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.
Other Articles About Uluru and the Red Center
The Best Way To Visit Uluru: Mulgas Adventures
Curious about the best way to visit Uluru? Read about the group tours with Mulgas Adventures and how touring with them could be the best option.
Update 49: Hiking through the Outback from Uluru in Central Australia
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How To Visit Uluru: Everything You Need To Know to Plan a Trip to the Red Center of Australia
The best guide to visiting the spiritual landmarks of Uluru, Kata Tjuta, and others while learning about the Aboriginal culture of Australia.