Uluru & the Red Centre Things to Do Attractions

The 10 Best Attractions in Uluru & the Red Centre (2026)

Updated November 2026 · 10 picks

The best things to do at Uluru in 2026 are walking the Uluru base walk, hiking the Valley of the Winds at Kata Tjuta, watching sunrise and sunset from the viewing areas, visiting the Cultural Centre, and seeing the Field of Light and Wintjiri Wiru light shows at night.

Uluru and Kata Tjuta sit inside Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, owned by its Anangu traditional owners and run jointly with Parks Australia. You need a park pass (valid for several days; buy it online) to enter. All accommodation is at Yulara, about 20 minutes from Uluru, and most visitors stay two or three nights. Climbing Uluru has been banned since 2019 at the request of the traditional owners. Summer is very hot: walk at dawn, carry plenty of water and expect some trails to close early on hot days.

1. Uluru Base Walk — Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park

Walk all the way around the rock to see its caves, waterholes and rock art.

Best for First-timers · Couples

The base walk circles Uluru on a flat, 10.6 km track. Up close, the rock is full of caves, folds, rock art and the Mutitjulu Waterhole, and the walk shows how different each side looks.

Shorter sections, such as the Mala walk (with a free ranger-guided walk most mornings) and the Kuniya walk to Mutitjulu Waterhole, suit those with less time.

Good to know: Join the free ranger-guided Mala walk to hear the stories of the rock.

Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, Petermann NT 0872

Google Maps Website

2. Valley of the Winds, Kata Tjuta — Kata Tjuta

The best hike in the park, through Kata Tjuta's giant domes.

Best for Couples · First-timers

Kata Tjuta is a group of 36 giant red domes about 50 km from Uluru. The Valley of the Winds walk winds between them to two lookouts, the full loop taking about three to four hours.

The shorter Walpa Gorge walk is an easy hour's return. On very hot days, the Valley of the Winds is closed beyond the first lookout from late morning, so start early.

Good to know: Do it at sunrise; the Kata Tjuta dune viewing area is on the way.

Kata Tjuta, Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, Petermann NT 0872

Google Maps Website

3. Sunrise at Talinguru Nyakunytjaku — Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park

The park's main sunrise viewing area, with Uluru and Kata Tjuta in one view.

Best for First-timers · Couples · Families

Talinguru Nyakunytjaku is a purpose-built viewing area on a dune, with boardwalks and platforms looking at Uluru with Kata Tjuta in the distance. Watching the rock change colour as the sun rises is one of Australia's great sights.

For sunset, the car sunset viewing area west of Uluru is the classic spot.

Good to know: Arrive 30 minutes before sunrise and bring a warm layer in winter; desert dawns are cold.

Talinguru Nyakunytjaku, Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, Petermann NT 0872

Google Maps

4. Uluru-Kata Tjuta Cultural Centre — Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park

Learn about Anangu culture and the stories of the land.

Best for Families · First-timers

The Cultural Centre, near the base of Uluru, explains Tjukurpa, the Anangu law and creation stories that shape the land, with displays, videos and art galleries selling work by local artists.

Visit early in your stay; it makes everything else you see more meaningful.

Good to know: Stop here before the base walk to understand the sites you'll pass.

Uluru Rd, Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, Petermann NT 0872

Google Maps Website

5. Field of Light — Yulara

Bruce Munro's field of more than 50,000 glowing lights in the desert.

$$ Mid-rangeBest for Couples · First-timers

Field of Light is a large-scale light installation by artist Bruce Munro, with more than 50,000 slender stems topped with frosted glass spheres that light up the desert after dark within sight of Uluru.

Several ticket options exist, from walking through the lights to a sunset dinner with a view over the field.

Good to know: Book the sunrise walk if you want fewer people and the rock emerging behind the lights.

Ayers Rock Resort, Yulara NT 0872

Google Maps Website

6. Wintjiri Wiru — Yulara

A drone, light and sound show telling an Anangu story at dusk.

$$$ UpmarketBest for Couples · Families

Wintjiri Wiru is an after-dark show in which hundreds of drones, lasers and projections tell part of the Mala story, created together with Anangu. It is staged on a dune with Uluru in the background.

Choose the sunset dinner option for a meal before the show.

Good to know: Book early; viewing numbers are limited each night.

Ayers Rock Resort, Yulara NT 0872

Google Maps Website

7. Sounds of Silence dinner — Yulara

Canapés at sunset and a bush-tucker-inspired buffet under the stars.

$$$$ SplurgeBest for Couples

Sounds of Silence is a long-running outdoor dining experience on a dune overlooking Uluru and Kata Tjuta. Canapés and drinks at sunset are followed by a buffet dinner and, on clear nights, a guided tour of the southern sky.

For a smaller, more luxurious version, Tali Wiru seats only a small group at a time.

Good to know: Bring a jacket; desert nights get cold fast, even after a hot day.

Ayers Rock Resort, Yulara NT 0872

Google Maps Website

8. Uluru Camel Tours — Yulara

Ride a camel across the dunes at sunrise or sunset.

$$ Mid-rangeBest for Families · Couples

Uluru Camel Tours runs camel rides at its farm near Yulara, with sunrise and sunset rides looking out to Uluru and Kata Tjuta. Camels were brought to Australia in the 1800s to carry goods through the outback, and this is a fun way to learn their story.

Shorter express rides suit children.

Good to know: Book the sunrise ride; the light on the dunes is the best of the day.

10 Kali Ct, Yulara NT 0872

Google Maps Website

9. Maruku Arts dot painting workshop — Yulara

Learn the meaning of Anangu art from local artists.

$$ Mid-rangeBest for Families · Couples

Maruku Arts is an Aboriginal-owned art enterprise of artists from the region. Its workshops let you learn about symbols and stories from Anangu artists, then create your own dot painting.

Its gallery sells authentic work direct from the artists.

Good to know: Buy art here or at the Cultural Centre to be sure the artist is paid fairly.

Ayers Rock Resort, Yulara NT 0872

Google Maps Website

10. Helicopter flight over Uluru and Kata Tjuta — Yulara

The only way to see the full scale of both formations.

$$$$ SplurgeBest for Couples

Helicopter scenic flights from Yulara fly near Uluru and Kata Tjuta, showing the sheer size of the rocks and the desert stretching to the horizon. Flights range from about 15 minutes to an hour.

Professional Helicopter Services (PHS) is one of the established operators.

Good to know: Fly early in the morning, when the air is smoothest.

Ayers Rock Resort, Yulara NT 0872

Google Maps Website

Frequently asked questions

Can you still climb Uluru?

No. The climb closed permanently in October 2019, at the request of the Anangu traditional owners, for whom Uluru is sacred. Walk around the base instead.

How long is the Uluru base walk?

About 10.6 km on a flat track, taking around three to four hours. Start at sunrise in warm months, carry water and respect the signs at sacred sites where photography is not allowed.

How many days do you need at Uluru?

Two or three nights. That gives you a sunrise and sunset at Uluru, a morning at Kata Tjuta, the base walk and an evening experience such as the Field of Light.

When is the best time to visit Uluru?

April to September, when days are warm and nights cool or cold. Summer days often top 40°C, which closes parts of some walks; flies are worst in the warmer months.

Where do you stay to visit Uluru?

At Yulara, the resort town 20 minutes from the rock. See our best hotels at Uluru for the options from campground to Longitude 131.

1. Uluru Base Walk — Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park

2. Valley of the Winds, Kata Tjuta — Kata Tjuta

3. Sunrise at Talinguru Nyakunytjaku — Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park

4. Uluru-Kata Tjuta Cultural Centre — Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park

5. Field of Light — Yulara

6. Wintjiri Wiru — Yulara

7. Sounds of Silence dinner — Yulara

8. Uluru Camel Tours — Yulara

9. Maruku Arts dot painting workshop — Yulara

10. Helicopter flight over Uluru and Kata Tjuta — Yulara

Frequently asked questions

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