Uluru & the Red Centre
The Red Centre is the spiritual core of Australia — a vast desert of red sand and spinifex crowned by the monolith of Uluru, the domes of Kata Tjuta, and the canyons and ranges beyond. It's a place of deep cultural significance to the Anangu people and one of the world's great natural and spiritual destinations. Here's how to experience it — respectfully and unforgettably.
Australia's sacred monolith
Uluru rises 348 m from the desert, glowing through extraordinary reds and oranges at sunrise and sunset. It's deeply sacred to the Anangu Traditional Owners — climbing has been banned since 2019, and the rewarding way to experience it is the 10 km base walk, an Anangu-led cultural tour, and the sunset viewing areas. After dark, the Field of Light installation carpets the desert in 50,000 lights. Please respect the sacred-site and photography signs as you explore.
Domes & canyons
Uluru's equally sacred neighbour, Kata Tjuta (the Olgas), is a cluster of 36 red domes laced with superb walks — the Valley of the Winds and Walpa Gorge. A few hours away, Kings Canyon in Watarrka National Park stuns with 100 m sandstone walls and the 6 km Rim Walk past the "Garden of Eden" and "Lost City". Together with Uluru they form the classic Red Centre circuit — allow several days and start walks early to beat the desert heat.
Getting there & staying
The base for Uluru and Kata Tjuta is Yulara (Ayers Rock Resort), with all the accommodation and its own airport — you can fly straight in, or drive ~4.5 hours from Alice Springs. Many visitors take a tour that loops Alice, Kings Canyon and Uluru. It's desert, so come prepared: sun protection, litres of water, a fly net in the warmer months, and warm layers for cold desert nights (winter nights can drop near freezing).
Uluru & the Red Centre: your questions
No — climbing Uluru has been permanently banned since 26 October 2019. Uluru is a profoundly sacred site for the Anangu, its Traditional Owners, who had long asked visitors not to climb, and the closure was widely welcomed. There's far more meaningful ways to experience it: the 10 km base walk, ranger-guided and Anangu-led cultural walks, sunrise and sunset viewing areas, and the Field of Light. Please respect the sacred sites and photography restrictions around the rock.
Plenty. Walk (or cycle) the Uluru base walk, join a cultural tour with Anangu guides, and catch the rock changing colour at sunrise and sunset. Nearby, the 36 domes of Kata Tjuta (the Olgas) offer the superb Valley of the Winds and Walpa Gorge walks. After dark, the Field of Light art installation (running at least to 2029) blankets the desert in 50,000 solar lights. There are also dinners under the stars, camel rides and scenic flights.
The Field of Light is a mesmerising art installation by artist Bruce Munro — more than 50,000 solar-powered glass "flowers" that bloom with colour across the desert at dusk, with Uluru as a backdrop. Originally temporary, it has proved so popular it's been extended (currently to 2029) and marked its 10th anniversary in 2026. You can visit on various packages, including sunset-and-stars dinners. It's one of the Red Centre's most magical experiences.
Kings Canyon, in Watarrka National Park, lies between Uluru and Alice Springs (a few hours' drive). Its 100 m sandstone walls and the superb Rim Walk — a 6 km loop past the lush "Garden of Eden" and the domed "Lost City" — make it one of the Red Centre's scenic highlights, and well worth adding to an Uluru trip. Start the Rim Walk early (it closes when forecasts are very hot), and carry plenty of water.
Uluru is about 450 km south-west of Alice Springs — roughly a 4.5-hour drive. Many visitors fly directly into Ayers Rock Airport (Yulara) beside the resort instead, or take a tour that loops Alice Springs, Kings Canyon and Uluru. The gateway town for Uluru and Kata Tjuta is Yulara (Ayers Rock Resort), which has all the accommodation. See our getting around guide.