Visiting Uluru (Ayers Rock) is so much more than snapping a photo of the big red rock.
There are countless things to do in Uluru that easily fill a weekend. During my 2-day trip, I hiked around the base, caught the sunrise and sunset, explored Kata Tjuta, and discovered just how magical a weekend at Uluru can be.
I travelled to Uluru on a direct flight from Sydney a Friday afternoon, then stayed for 48 hours. There were only a few brief moments during my trip that I had time to rest in between seeing the sights. I was up before dawn each day to catch the sunrise, and both nights I didn’t get to bed until after I’d enjoyed the magical night-time desert experiences.
Uluru is an especially intriguing destination if you’re into hiking or photography, as you’ll undoubtedly find that there are a variety of walks to complete and loads of photo opportunities in the desert landscape.
If you’ve got an upcoming trip planned to venture into the heart of Australia, here are all my recommendations for essential activities at Uluru!
Quick summary:
If you’re planning a weekend getaway to Australia’s Red Centre, this Uluru itinerary covers all the best things to do in Uluru in just two days.
Recommended tours:
🌅 Uluru Sunrise & Breakfast Tour – Watch the desert come to life at sunrise, with coffee and breakfast included.
☀️ Uluru Sunset & Base Walk Tour – See Uluru glow in the fading light, with time to explore the base walk.
🥾 Kata Tjuta Sunrise Tour – Witness the sunrise followed by an outback picnic breakfast and guided Walpa Gorge walk.
✨ Uluru Evening Stargazing Tour – Learn Aboriginal sky stories while gazing at one of the world’s clearest night skies.
Where to stay in Uluru
All visitors to Uluru will stay within Ayers Rock Resort in Yulara, which offers a range of options from campsites to luxury lodges.
🛏️ When I visited, I stayed at The Outback Pioneer Lodge, and I’d absolutely recommend it if you’re visiting Uluru and are looking for a mid-range hotel option.
The lodge has that authentic outback feel — think red dirt paths, gum trees, and a laid-back vibe. It’s a great value stay that still gives you full access to resort amenities, including the shuttle bus, restaurants, and lookouts around Yulara.
I really loved the buffet breakfast at Bough House restaurant (great for fuelling up before a day of exploring) and grabbing dinner and a beer at the Outback Bar & Grill was a lovely way to wind down in the evenings.
If you’d prefer something a little more upscale, the resort’s Desert Gardens Hotel or Sails in the Desert both offer comfortable rooms with pool access and on-site dining.
Top things to do in Uluru (Ayers Rock):
Watch the sunrise over Uluru
Seeing the sun rise over the desert is something I did in Monument Valley, and I was excited to do it again in Uluru. There is something really special about seeing the changing colours of the sand and rock, and watching the landscape light up as the sun reaches over the horizon.
🌅 If you won’t have a car at Uluru, you can book an Uluru sunrise tour to see the desert light up with coffee and breakfast included.
As hard as it is to get out of bed in the pre-dawn hours, it’s absolutely worth making the pilgrimage to Uluru sunrise viewing platform or the Kata Tjuja sunrise viewing area when the sky is stilled with stars – an early morning in the outback is absolutely magical. The silhouette of the dark rock against the dawn light will look good through any camera lens, and the peaceful moments before the sun comes up contain a sense of calm that I can usually only find through meditation.
See the sunset at Uluru
You would think that the sunset at Uluru would look the same as the sunrise, but it definitely does not! The colours of the rock change dramatically throughout the day and sunset is one of the best times to see it lit up in a vibrant orange-red.
The sunset viewing area are where most people will go for the views at this time. There is one viewing area for people visiting by car, and a separate viewing area for people in a coach, as I was with the Hop On Hop Off Bus. I found that the walking trail along the sand dunes offered some excellent views of Uluru at sunset without the crowds that were loitering in the bus parking area.
☀️ You can also see the sunset on an Uluru base and sunset tour, which gives you time to explore the base walk before seeing the colours of the rock change in the afternoon light.
Hike some (or all) of the Uluru base walk
Most advice will recommend that you do all your Uluru activities in the morning to avoid the hottest part of the day, and if you’re travelling over summer, that would be sensible advice to follow. However, if you’re travelling in peak tourist season (May-Aug) or in the shoulder months, then I would argue that you can attempt it during the day. When I went in April, the mid afternoon temperatures were in the late 20s, which I found manageable for hiking parts of the base walk.
If you are not up for the full base walk, then I’d suggest heading back to the resort mid-late morning for a nap and a spot of lunch, then returning to Uluru mid-late afternoon for additional exploration time in the lead up to sunset. This way you get to see sunrise and sunset at both viewpoints!
Explore Kata Tjuta (The Olgas)
I found that the hike I did at Kata Tjuta was even more picturesque and interesting that hiking around Uluru! This hike is one of the top things to do in Uluru National Park for photographers.
I chose to do the Walpa Gorge walk, which leads right up inside a canyon between two of the massive domes. The trail is fairly easy and took me just under an hour return. The path can be a little rocky in places, so make sure you have sturdy shoes, but the payoff is worth it — walking between the towering walls of red rock felt like stepping into a hidden world.
🥾 If you’d rather join a guided experience, the Kata Tjuta Sunrise Small-Group Tour is a great option. It includes an early morning trip into the national park to watch the sunrise over the domes, followed by an outback picnic breakfast and a guided walk through Walpa Gorge.
If you’re keen for an extended hike option, you could do the Valley of the Winds hike instead. Someone told me that you can sometimes come across wild camels on this Kata Tjuta hike!
See some art at the Gallery of Central Australia (GoCA)
I wasn’t expecting much from an art gallery in the desert, but GoCA was actually really good! The gallery is free for visitors to enter, making it one of the best ways to experience Uluru on the cheap.
My favourites were the large-scale pieces from Indigenous artist Maringka Baker, who was commissioned by the airline Qantas to design livery for some of their ‘Flying art series’ planes.
If you are looking for an expensive but genuine souvenir to take away from Uluru, you can buy Indigenous art through the gallery and get it posted to your home.
See some ancient Indigenous rock art
I didn’t take any photos as this ancient art is culturally sensitive, but believe me when I tell you that it was truly awesome to see it! Looking at drawings inside of caves around Uluru that were done literally thousands of years ago is truly mind blowing, and they still exist today for us to appreciate.
Each artwork tells a story, so it might be a good idea to see it with a guide to get a better comprehension of the pieces. I saw the Indigenoud rock art at various locations on the Uluru base walk including the caves on the path to Kantju Gorge, and just outside of Mutitjulu Waterhole.
Field of Light & other Uluru evening experiences
There’s something special about being outdoors in the desert after sunset. There is plenty to do at Uluru after the sun goes down, mostly around Ayers Rock Resort.
I booked Field of Light for one of my evenings, which included champagne and canapes as the sun set and the exhibition lit up. There are a handful of Uluru dinner experiences to choose from, most of them very pricey, but might be worth choosing one to splash out on because dinner in the desert is just kind of fun.
Stargazing at Uluru
For anyone wondering what to do in Uluru at night, you’ll be excited to know that Uluru is an incredible destination for stargazing… you can even see the streak of the Milky Way splashed across the sky! Viewing this natural light show is pretty easy from anywhere around Uluru – I walked up to one of the lookouts at Ayers Rock Resort (I think it was called Pioneer Lookout, behind the Outback Lodge).
✨ You can also book an Uluru evening & stargazing tour, which include a barbecue dinner at sunset followed by an informative star talk led by a local guide.
Have a beer at an Outback pub
There’s only one pub in town. Located at the Outback Lodge, this pub is for guests of the resort. Visiting an outback pub is a must, because it’s such a quintessential Aussie experience – the pub is where people in the outback socialise, eat, and relax. It’s not just a place to grab a beer, it’s a place where you can feel the outback spirit.
An outback pub is usually a corrugated tin roof with no walls, a concrete or paved floor, and has the sounds of a country musician playing an acoustic guitar. After a day in the sun, spend an evening soaking up the vibes in the open air with an overpriced-yet-refreshing beverage. The bar is open from midday until late in the evening and will only serve guests of Ayers Rock Resort, so take your room key with you.
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