Uluṟu and Kata Tjuṯa are two of Australia’s most extraordinary landmarks. If you’re reading this blog post, you have probably already seen what both look like through the likes of pictures and videos. However, it’s hard to comprehend how truly remarkable each geological formation is until you are there yourself. Located in the middle of the desert, in an area known as the Red Centre, just flying into Yulara is an awe-inspiring experience. There is no bucket list Australia trip like spending three days in Uluṟu and Kata Tjuṯa National Park. Aside from sight seeing, there is a lot to see and do in the area. In this guide i have outlined our exact 3 day itinerary, with the best sunset and sunrise spots, hikes, viewpoints and restaurants.
Spending more time in Australia? Don’t miss these other guides:
- Perth to Esperance – The Ultimate Australian Road Trip
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- Sydney To Melbourne Road Trip – A Unique Inland Drive Itinerary
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How to get to Uluṟu and Kata Tjuṯa
We flew from Sydney to Ayers Rock Airport (Connellan Airport) where we hired our car. From here it was only a 20-minute drive to Yulara where all the hotels are located.
Flying into Ayers Rock Airport (Connellan Airport)
Airlines and Routes
Ayers Rock Airport, also known as Connellan Airport, is the primary airport serving Uluru and Kata Tjuta. Major airlines such as Qantas, Virgin Australia, and Jetstar operate flights to Ayers Rock Airport from most big Australian cities. The flights run daily from different cities.
How to get from Connellan Airport to Uluru/Kata Tjuta
Connellan Aiport is located relatively close to Yulara, Ayers Rock Resort and Uluṟu Kata Tjuṯa National Park. If you hire a car, you can pick it up at the airport and drive to the park yourself. Alternatively, there are a number of shuttle services and transfer options available. We hired a car from the airport and drove to the resort. The drive takes around 20 minutes and is a very simple route.
3 Day Uluṟu and Kata Tjuṯa Itinerary Outline
In this itinerary I have outlined everything we did on our 3 full days in Uluṟu and Kata Tjuṯa National Park. We actually arrived at 6pm in the evening so head straight to the Uluṟu sunset viewing point, but to make the itinerary simpler I have shifted it around a little bit! However, this means that it is definitely possible to do all of this even if you only have 36 hours in Uluṟu-Kata Tjuṯa National Park.
- Day 1: Uluru Sunrise Viewing Area, Mala Walk, Cultural Centre, Uluṟu Sunset Viewing Area
- Day 2: Uluṟu Base Walk, Kantju Gorge Walk, Camel Tour, Sounds of Silence Dinner
- Day 3: Kata Tjuṯa Dune Viewing Area, Valley of the Winds Walk, Waḻpa Gorge Walk, Imalung Lookout
Tip: Something I can’t recommend more is spending the time to learn about the local indigenous culture while you are in Uluṟu and Kata Tjuṯa. This means also being respectful to the land and following any guidelines in place such as where not to take photos and where you can and can’t walk. Make sure to visit the cultural centre and as many of the free talks in the town centre as you can, read the signs and spend time trying to learn.
Day 1: Uluṟu
Day 1 of this 3 day Uluṟu and Kata Tjuṯa Itinerary will be spent exploring Uluṟu and the area of the National Park that surrounds it. Starting with the sunrise, we will do one of the shorter walks around the base and then head to the cultural centre. I recommend doing this as you will get an insight into what makes Uluṟu and Kata Tjuṯa such significant places to the Anangu people, hearing some of their stories and about their way of life. Alternatively – if you want to save on time – you can instead replace the Mala Walk with the Uluṟu base walk on this day.
As I said previously, we hired a car to explore for all three days of this itinerary. If you don’t want to do this, there are a number of tours and shuttle buses you can take to each destination! You can see quite a few of them gathered on this page.
Uluṟu Sunrise Viewing Area
There is nothing more magical than watching the sunrise over Uluṟu. From the sunrise Viewing area, you can not only see Uluṟu, but also Kata Tjuṯa in the distance. As the sun rises and the sky turns a soft shade of pink, the light reflects so beautifully on both rock formations. The sunrise viewing area is quite large, with a small walk around the area to different platforms and viewing areas. I really recommend walking around the area during the sunrise to be able to see the sunrising over Uluru from all the different perspectives.
When to get to the Uluṟu Sunrise Viewing area: I recommend arriving about 30 minutes to 1 hour before sunrise if you want to see it in its full glory. The viewing area is about a 25 minute drive from the village in Yulara so be prepared for quite an early start to the day!
If you don’t have a car, you can opt for this Uluru sunrise guided tour which picks you up from the hotel, includes a light breakfast and a tour around the Mala walk and Uluru base walk.
Don’t miss: Guided Uluru Sunrise Guided Tour and Walk with Breakfast
Mala Walk
At the base of Uluṟu there are several different walking paths you can take. Throughout the course of this itinerary we did all three walks, starting with the shorter Mala Walk. This is a 2km hike that runs along one side of Uluṟu. It begins at the cultural centre and ends at the parking by the Kantju Gorge walk. Here, you get a slightly different view of Uluṟu and just to experience more of the desert landscape. If you only have time/ want to do one walk then this is not the one I would recommend, however, if you enjoy hiking and have the time then I would definitely add it to your itinerary! The walk takes around 90 minutes in total. I recommend doing this walk in the morning, just after sunrise, as the sun is still rising over Uluṟu and the landscape is lit up in a beautiful way.
Lunch
I have included where we ate breakfast and dinner each day of this Uluṟu itinerary, but not included lunch. This is because we always stopped by the IGA supermarket in Yulara and bought a picnic lunch which we took with us out on the hikes. This was perfect for us as we spent all day out in Uluṟu-Kata Tjuṯa National Park and didn’t want to drive 45 minutes back to the resort for lunch every day. Alternatively, there is also a café that is a part of the Cultural Centre which could be a possible stop for lunch! Or, you can get takeaway sandwiches from the cafes in the town centre.
Spend The Afternoon at The Cultural Centre
If I were to recommend one thing you should do on your first day of being at Uluṟu-Kata Tjuṯa National Park, it would be to go to the cultural centre and learn about the Indigenous people of the land and their culture. Firstly, here they tell the stories of how the area came to be, as well as pointing out native edible plants you will be able to spot all throughout your trip. After spending an hour or so here, you have a whole other level of respect for the areas of Uluṟu-Kata Tjuṯa National Park you will later visit.
The Cultural Centre is open from 7am. I recommend either visiting in the late morning of early afternoon when the weather is hotter outside.
Uluṟu Sunset Viewpoint
Uluṟu Sunset Viewpoint is the main sunset viewing area in Uluṟu-Kata Tjuṯa National Park. It is around a 15-minute drive from the hotels in Yulara but definitely worth making the effort to come here for sunset. The colours of Uluṟu as it reflects the evening sun are just incredible! I suggest arriving at the Uluṟu Sunset Viewpoint around 45 minutes before sunset. This way you can pick a spot to watch, and you get to see all the changing colours of the horizon as the sun sets.
When you arrive, the carpark may seem very busy, however, the sunset viewing area is a lot bigger than it first appears so if you make your way to the other end of the carpark you will likely find a spot to park!
If you haven’t hired a car, it is still possible to do this trip with the help of a tour.
Dinner at Walpa Lobby Bar
On the first evening we head to Walpa Lobby Bar, the bar and restaurant in the Sails in the Desert hotel lobby. I have to say, this was probably the best meal we had on our 3-day trip to Uluṟu. The food here is inspired by native flavours and you could tell that so much work was put into perfecting the tastes. There was not a dish that we tasted which was not perfectly made. So, if I can recommend anywhere to eat while you are on your three-day trip to Uluṟu-Kata Tjuṯa National Park, it would be this one.
Day 2: Uluṟu
Day 2 is again spent exploring the area around Uluṟu. Today we are doing some more of the hikes. I recommend starting the day early as it can be hard to do the longer base walk in the heat of the day.
Breakfast at Kulata Academy Cafe
While many of the hotels offer breakfast for an extra price, this is most often buffet food. Instead of opting for this, we decided to have breakfast at one of the little cafes in Yulara centre. The first morning, we went to Kulata Academy Café. This is a small café with a good selection of sandwiches, pies, and even salads. They do good coffee and are quite quick to make everything.
The best thing about Kulata Academy Café is that they work alongside the National Indigenous Training Academy to give local youth the opportunity to gain knowledge in the hospitality industry.
Hiking the Uluṟu Base Walk
The Uluṟu base walk is probably the most well-known and popular walk in Uluṟu-Kata Tjuṯa National Park. This walk is 10km long and takes you around the whole based of Uluṟu in just a few hours. There is very little shade here so I recommend doing it in the morning, as early as you can really. There are several water stations along the way so make sure to fill up, and wear lots of sun protection! While it is a popular walk, most people tend to do the shorter variants along the route so you will likely find yourself to be alone for much of the hike.
The base walk was probably the highlight of my trip. It was amazing to be able to get so close to Uluṟu and really appreciate the detail and different geometric formations. Make sure to stop by Kantju Gorge, Muṯitjulu Waterhole, and read all the signs along the way if you want to get the best experience!
Kantju Gorge Walk
If you don’t want to do the entire Uluṟu base walk, you can instead do the Kantju Gorge walk, which begins at the same place. Rather than taking you 10.6 km around the base, you can make a small loop to the gorge and back. This walk only takes around 15 minutes and you still get to experience Uluṟu up close, see some of the most culturally significant areas, and take a pause by the beautiful gorge.
Camel Tour
On our second day in Uluṟu and Kata Tjuṯa, we spent the afternoon on a guided camel tour. This was definitely a fun experience and a unique way to see the desert landscape. There are a few different camel tours, but we decided to do the Express Camel Experience that takes place in the mornings and afternoons and is only a few hours long. You can either arrive at the tour start yourself or get picked up on the hotel shuttle.
The tours are quite big so expect a few other groups to be camel riding through the desert with you, however, this doesn’t ruin the experience one bit. Riding through the sandy hills, two on a camel, is really such an amazing experience!
See more: You can find more about the tour here.
Sounds of Silence Dinner
As part of your 3 days in Uluṟu, make sure to add the Sounds of Silence dinner to your itinerary. This is definitely a bucket list experience, sitting under the stars at a candle lit table with Uluṟu in the distance, surrounded by the desert landscape. The experience begins in the early evening, with a shuttle bus that will pick you up from your hotel. From here, you drive through the landscape to a beautiful viewpoint to watch the sun set over Uluṟu where drinks and canapes are served. After sunset, you are guided to your table where there is live music from the didgeridoo, food is served, and the star talk begins.
The food at Sounds of Silence is a buffet with lots of different choices, most of which are inspired by the native flavours of the area. The tables are quite big and often smaller groups are seated together making it a lovely opportunity to connect with others.
It can get quite cold in the evenings so make sure to wear some warmer clothes or bring a jumper. There is no dress code, but most people were wearing relatively smart outfits with good shoes.
You can find out more about the Sounds of Silence dinner here.
Day 3: Kata Tjuṯa
Today we are heading to a new part of the National Park to explore Kata Tjuṯa. This is the other rock formation, formally known as the Olgas. While it is maybe lesser known that Uluṟu, the landscape here is something you don’t want to miss! The area here is very sacred and photography is forbidden in much of the area so unfortunately I can’t share any pictures here. However, know that this area is incredible and if you can, and feel up to it, then the Valley of the Winds Walk is definitely worth it!
Breakfast at Geckos Cafe
The second morning, we chose to eat breakfast at the other café in Yulara – Geckos Cafe. This is the place to go if you want slightly more substantial dishes such as eggs on toast or a cooked breakfast. We found they had some great options here, but it is a bit more expensive than the other café and the food took a bit longer to come out.
Kata Tjuṯa Dune Viewing Area
Start the day at the Kata Tjuṯa viewing area. This is one of the best viewpoints for seeing all 5 of the domes of Kata Tjuṯa. The viewpoint is quite large, with a small path that winds up the hill towards it. I recommend leaving around 20 minutes for a stop here if you want to watch the view, read the information signs, and take any pictures! We arrived after sunrise but still relatively early in the morning (around 9) which was a beautiful time of day to stop here. As you can see in the image below, the sun creates an amazing glowing effect as it reflects off the different rock formations of Kata Tjuṯa.
Valley of the Winds Walk
The Valley of the Winds trail is the only hike in the Kata Tjuṯa area of the National Park. It is a beautiful walk with views that look like they come right out of The Croods or Land of the Lost, with the pinky red rocks that overlook the grassy landscape below. Valley of the Winds is quite a difficult hike, with a long rocky path that takes you up quite a considerable climb. The hike takes around 3 to 4 hours to complete and is best done in the morning when the temperatures are much cooler. Kata Tjuṯa is a very sacred area for the Indigenous so please be respectful when you do this walk. Make sure to follow any guidelines when it comes to taking photos, and to stay on the path at all times!
Things to know: This walk actually closes after 11am on days where the temperature will be above 36 degrees. Saying that, even when the temperature is below 36, it is still incredibly draining to hike here. There are several places to fill up your water along the Valley of the Winds walk so make sure to bring a bottle with you! Also, make sure to wear a hat and bring sunscreen as the sun can be really harsh.
Tip: If you want to do a slightly shorter version and still see some of the beautiful Kata Tjuṯa then you can instead only do the start of the hike. This in itself is called the Karu Lookout hike and this is a 2.2km trail which takes around 1 hour in total.
Waḻpa Gorge Walk
While this is only a short hike, the Walpa Gorge Walk ended up being one of my favourites of the walks in the National Park. The Walpa Gorge trail is in the Kata Tjuṯa area and is a relatively easy 1-hour round trip walk. This is another area that can get really warm in the middle of the day, so I suggest hiking here in the morning of late afternoon! We did this walk in the late afternoon and the light was beautiful. It was also quite cool as most of the trail was covered with shade from the Gorge itself.
The Walpa Gorge walk is 2.6 km. To get to the trailhead, you need to drive, or take the shuttle, to the Walpa Gorge car park. From here, you can just follow the signs up into the gorge.
Imalung Lookout
Imalung Lookout is the viewpoint in the centre of the hotels in Yulara. While it is quite a distance from Uluṟu itself, there is a still a beautiful sunset view from here where you can see the rock formation surrounded by the colourful and rugged desert. Imalung Lookout is only a 10 minute walk from most of the hotels in Yulara!
Dinner at Arnguli Grill
On the final night of our three day stay in Uluṟu, we went for dinner at Arnguli Grill, part of the Dessert Gardens hotel. This is one of the more expensive restaurants in the Yulara resort area, but the food here was amazing! We shared the native tasting platter which came with kangaroo, wallaby and emu as well as salads and sauces flavoured with native herbs and spices. It was delicious!
I recommend booking a table in advance if you want to eat at Arnguli Grill. It can get very busy, especially if you are visiting Uluṟu during peak season or holiday weeks.
Other Things to do in Uluṟu and Kata Tjuṯa National Park
Helicopter Ride
A helicopter ride over Uluṟu and Kata Tjuṯa is a real bucket list, once in a lifetime experience. We unfortunately didn’t have time to fit this into our 3-day itinerary for Uluṟu-Kata Tjuṯa National Park as all flights were already booked by the time, I got to it. However, every person I have talked to who has done this experience says it was the highlight of their trip and that it puts Uluṟu and the desert in a completely different perspective.
If you want to book a helicopter ride around Uluṟu, I recommend checking out this tour!
One tip I do have is not to book the helicopter ride on the day you arrive, as flights into Uluṟu can sometimes be delayed by hours and you may miss your slot. It is much safer to book this for day 2, or another day in the middle of your Uluṟu stay!
Tours and Activities
Uluru Quick Tips
Sunset Spots:
- Uluṟu Sunset Viewpoint – arrive 45 mins before
- Kuniya Car Park/ Walk – less effect but beautiful
- Uluṟu Lookout – see the entire landscape
- Multijutu water hole
Sunrise Spots
- Uluṟu Sunrise Viewing Area
- Kata Tjuta Dune Viewing Area
Kata Tjuṯa Walks:
- Waḻpa gorge walk 1hr
- Valley of the winds walk 3-4hrs
Uluṟu Walks:
- Mala walk (2km)
- Base walk (10km)
- Kantju Gorge Walk
Activities
- Visit the Cultural centre
- Helicopter Ride
- Camel Tour
- Sounds of Silence Dinner
- Field of Light
- Uluru Segway Tour
Things to Know Before Visiting Uluṟu- Kata Tjuṯa National Park
Where to stay in Uluṟu- Kata Tjuṯa National Park
The most important thing to note when booking somewhere to stay in Uluṟu- Kata Tjuṯa National Park is that all accomodation for visitors is located on the same premises – Ayers Rock Resort in Yulara. Here, you will find accomodation ranging from basic camping to a luxury hotel. The accomodations all surround the same town centre where you will find shops and a few cafes, and of course you are welcome to dine at any of the hotels’ restaurants. We stayed at The Desert Gardens Hotel which is mid range. The rooms were great, the hotel has a pool, and all in all I would recommend it! If you want something more upscale then Sails is your go to. For a cheaper option, you have the Lost Camel Hotel or Ayers Rock Campground.
See more: Find all your Uluru hotel options here!
Should I hire a car when I visit Uluṟu?
You don’t need to hire a car when you visit Uluṟu and Kata Tjuṯa as there is a shuttle bus that will take you from the hotels to the national park every day. However, this bus costs $50 for a return to Uluru, $120 per person for a one day pass, $160 for two. This is viable if you are just one person, but I recommend hiring a car if you are more because it gives you flexibility and ends up saving money.
We were 6 people, so we hired a minivan. This ended up being the cheapest way to explore Uluṟu for our family and gave us so much flexibility in when and where in the national park we visited.
What months are best for Uluṟu?
The best time to visit Uluṟu is in the autumn to spring seasons (from May to September). This time of year it is a lot cooler and much better weather conditions for visiting the sites around the national park. Even at these times of year, the temperatures can reach above 36 degrees centigrade meaning some of the hiking trails close.
What do bring when visiting Uluṟu- Kata Tjuṯa National Park
Make sure to pack good walking shoes, lightweight clothes, and sun protection for your trip to Uluṟu- Kata Tjuṯa National Park. It is in the middle of the dessert so can get very hot, so make sure to also bring a hat, water bottle, and a good backpack! If you want to visit one of the nicer restaurants in the evenings, I recommend bringing a nice outfit, and if you are staying at one of the hotels with a pool make sure to bring swim wear!
3 days in Uluṟu and Kata Tjuṯa Itinerary: An Overview
Visiting Uluṟu and Kata Tjuṯa National Park is a once in a lifetime trip. With this itinerary, you can walk most of the trails, visit the most significant sites, and enjoy some unique activities all within 3 days. This itinerary is done with a car but it is definitely still possible to visit all of these sights without one, either on tours of booking the shuttle bus!
Planning a trip to Uluru can be confusing at first glance – so if you have any questions don’t hesitate to leave a comment or send over an email with any questions!
