There’s red dirt still baked into the shoes I wore to hike Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park two months ago. It’s a nice reminder of the magic the Red Centre holds.
A three-night stay offers multiple chances for sunrise and sunset viewing – make sure you take every single one of them. You can book guided tours and experiences through various operators, but hiring a car will give you the most freedom and flexibility to explore.
Depending where you’re coming from, most flights land around lunchtime. Once you’ve settled into your hotel and acquainted yourself with the small tourist town, it’s time to head into Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park. Don’t forget to buy your park pass online before entering – phone reception is spotty so it’s best to do this before you leave town.
Visit the Cultural Centre and then get set to spend your first evening with a sunset at Kata Tjuta. Make a stop at the designated dune viewing platform at dusk and take in the full 36 domes from a distance. But if you really want to beat the crowds, head in a little closer and park at Walpa Gorge. Embrace the stillness – bar the resident flies – as the rocks turn from pink to deep red while the sun fades.
Set your alarm for sunrise on day two and do the full Uluru base walk if you can. The route, which is just shy of 11 kilometres, is almost entirely flat. Start from the Mala car park and walk clockwise (while facing the rock). The terrain is surprisingly green and lush in some parts, while other stretches offer little-to-no shade, so taking advantage of the cooler hours is important. As the trail winds around, signposts help visitors understand and appreciate all facets of the rock formations and the stories they tell. Some of the sacred sites have a no photography rule, so be mindful while capturing memories.
Reward yourself with a nap, a large glass of Hydralyte and a swim once you’re done. For your second evening, the Field of Light by artist Bruce Munro is a worthy spectacle. The immersive installation is currently running until March 2025.
On day three, head deeper into the national park and hike Valley of the Winds at Kata Tjuta. The full circuit takes about three to four hours and is classified as grade four. There’s an option to return once you reach the first couple of lookouts if you’re short on time, but the terrain actually gets easier once you pass this point. In the evening, take in the fairy floss-coloured sky from the Uluru sunset viewing platform and watch until darkness descends entirely – just be mindful of the park’s closing time.
For your final morning, pack a thermos of tea and park at the Uluru sunrise viewing platform. Get there early to secure a good spot and stay until the sun is high in the sky to really appreciate the landscape as it changes.
An early-autumn heatwave in March delivered three consecutive days above 40 degrees Celsius during our visit. But if you time your trip between April and October, you should be met with temperatures that average between 20–30 degrees Celsius in the day, which dips drastically overnight. This will give you the most opportunity to explore, as some of the key walks are closed from 11am during extreme weather.
Bed down at Sails In The Desert (part of Ayers Rock Resort), where there’s a pool and restaurant on-site. You’ll also have access to the eateries throughout the resort’s other properties. If you’re willing to go all-in on a bucket-list experience, an all-inclusive luxury stay at Longitude 131 is pretty much unparalleled. The lodges offer views over Uluru, too.
A version of this article first appeared in Domain Review, in partnership with Broadsheet.
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