If you are planning a trip to Australia, you might be wondering: is Uluru worth visiting? I mean, isn’t it just a giant red rock in the middle of the outback desert, expensive, remote, and swarming with flies?
I’ve been there twice, and I truly believe Uluru is worth visiting, despite the high travel costs and other bucket list spots to choose from. Below, you’ll find the reasons why you should visit this sacred site, and also who might prefer to go someplace else instead.
BEST PLACES TO STAY in ULURU (YULARA):
• Sails in the Desert (the best place to stay at Uluru)
• The Lost camel hotel (this is where I stayed)
• Desert garden hotel (mid range hotel)
• Emu walk apartments (cook your own meals and save)
• Outback Hotel & Lodge (great for backpackers!!)
• Ayers Rock campground (if you wish to camp)
TOP EXPERIENCES in and around ULURU:
• Uluru sunset tour (A MUST DO!)
• Uluru sunset, BBQ dinner and star tour (don’t miss it! It’s gorgeous)
• Uluru sunrise and breakfast (colors are just insane!)
• Uluru sunrise and base walk with guide (explore it like Anangu people)
• Uluru, Kata Tjuta and Kings Canyon tour (ultimate outback tour!)
• Uluru Field of lights (art instalation)
• Uluru Astronomy tour (the best stargazing experience!)
• Uluru and Kata Tjuta helicopter tour (this books out fast!)
Visiting Central Australia was a highlight of my years living in the land Down Under – more than the big cities or famous beaches. There is something special about seeing Uluru at sunset, walking around the base of Uluru, and exploring nearby Kata Tjuta and Kings Canyon.
Below you’ll find reasons why Uluru deserves a spot on your Australian itinerary, and why this outback icon might not be for you.
FRIENDLY REMINDER
Never leave for a trip without travel insurance. Unexpected issues can arise so I suggest using insurance that covers people from all over the world, while outside their home country. You can buy this travel insurance even if you are already abroad.
Visit Uluru (Ayers Rock)
KEY TAKEAWAYS
● Discover why is worth visiting Uluru in the middle of Australia. Uluru is located in the outback, so not just a short trip from Alice Springs. It is definitely worth the effort to get here because of the landscape, Aboriginal culture, and spiritual significance.
● Learn about the top reasons to visit Uluru in the red centre of the Australian outback, from sunrise and sunset views, sounds of silence dinner, didgeridoo workshop, or guided cultural tours that share the traditions of the Anangu people.
● Find out which types of travelers might not find Uluru worth seeing, and what alternatives could be a better fit.
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Why visit Uluru
Uluru, formerly known as Ayers Rock, is located in the south-western corner of Australia’s Northern Territory.
It is a monolith, a single massive stone or big rock, in the middle of the red sandy plains in Central Australia. It is a 348 meters (1141 ft) tall, about 3 kilometers long, and 550 million years old sandstone rock formation, famous for turning red at sunset because of weathered iron minerals.
UNESCO liked it so much they put it on their World Heritage list twice – once for its natural beauty and again for its cultural significance.
Uluru is one of the top Australian bucket list sites and a sacred site for Indigenous Australians – Yankunytjatjara, Pitjantjatjara, and Anangu people. They are the traditional owners and guardians of this land and Uluru and Kata Tjuta National Park.
Find out why I think everyone should visit Uluru at least once in their life.
Cultural and historical significance
For several tribes of local indigenous people – Yankunytjatjara, Pitjantjatjara and Anangu people – this is their sacred ground. They are the traditional owners and guardians of this land and Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park.
Indigenous Australians have deep spiritual connections to the rock formation, which sits at the heart of their belief system and ceremonial practices.
According to Anangu traditions, Uluru wasn’t formed by boring geological processes (well, not just those)but it was created by spiritual ancestors at the beginning of time. The Dreamtime stories explain how every bump, crack, and cave on the rock came to be, each tied to different ancestors and events.
One of the best things to do at Uluru is to learn about Aboriginal culture and way of life. Because when you walk the base of Uluru, you can see what the Anangu consider a living cultural landscape. Many spots on and around the rock connect directly to specific myths and stories that have been passed down for countless generations.
This is also the reason why you always see the same view of Uluru. Some parts of the rock are forbidden to take photos of!
Since 1985, Uluru has been formally handed back to the Anangu people, who now jointly manage the national park.
Spectacular outback scenery
Uluru is a massive red sandstone rock in Outback Australia.
The second time I visited Uluru was with a friend. While she was not too excited to come, her first words were “I didn’t think I’d be so moved by a rock!”. The photos you see online just don’t capture the true size of the outback icon.
It is amazing to see the rock and how it just rises from the desert around it. The surrounding plains are wide and open, dotted with low shrubs, spinifex grass, and other Australian natives. You’ll often spot wildlife like kangaroos, emus, camels, or colorful parrots moving through the landscape.
Desert vegetation and scattered animals make the outback feel alive while keeping the rock as the centerpiece of the scenery.
Stunning sunrises and sunsets
Tell me a more iconic site to watch sunrise and sunset. I’ll wait!
As cliché as it may sound, watching the sunrise or sunset over Uluru is unforgettable.
The rock shifts through deep crimson, burnt orange, and rust red as the sun moves across the sky. It’s one of the most recognizable orange destinations around the world, rivaling Fushimi Inari in Japan, Antelope Canyon in Nevada, and Wadi Rum in Jordan. It can even be purple and gray when it rains!
Seeing how the light transforms the rock, the changing of the colors due to iron minerals is worth the trip alone. No words can capture the feeling — you truly have to witness it yourself.
The most beautiful night sky
The outback’s night sky makes for some of the best stargazing in the world.
With almost no light pollution, you can see the Milky Way stretching across the sky and spot countless stars and constellations. You might spot shooting stars or hear the quiet rustle of nocturnal wildlife.
It’s the kind of view that makes you feel tiny, but also completely connected to the world around you.
Outback adventures
There’s plenty to do around Uluru for those who like being active.
Some of the best things to do in Uluru include a base walk to see caves, rock art, and Australian native plants, or joining guided tours led by Aboriginal Anangu guides to learn about bush food and dreamtime creation stories.
Nearby Kata Tjuta (the Olgas) offers trails through impressive domes. My favorite is Kings Canyon, which has steep cliffs and scenic walks. Short walks or longer hikes give a real sense of Central Australia’s outback. Just don’t forget your fly net!
Who is Uluru not for
Is Ayers Rock worth visiting? Well, Uluru is my favorite Australian site. But let’s be real – it’s not everyone’s cup of tea. Here’s who might find it less amazing and should skip this iconic rock.
Budget travelers
It is not the cheapest place to visit in Australia. Flights, accommodation, transport, entry fees, tours, and food might add up to a fair amount to your overall budget. To be fair, though, if you are lucky, you can get a nice flight deal with JetStar, and you can stay in Outback Hotel & Lodge (part of Ayer’s Rock Resort). Find some place along the East Coast of Australia.
The ones short on time
Uluru is in the middle of nowhere. There are different ways on how to get to Uluru; you can search for flights to Uluru Yulara airport, go on a group tour from Alice Springs, or road trip. This is not just a quick day trip, and since you will be spending so much time getting here, it makes sense to stay here at least 3 days, but you can see Sydney in 1 day.
Haters of the heat and early mornings
It is a desert and it will be hot! Think 40°C (104°F) days that drop to near freezing at night. The climate is harsh and unforgiving. Because of the heat, most tracks around Uluru close at 11 am, so you have to do all the activities early in the morning. To be fair, I didn’t find the heat that bad, because it is dry heat. It is different from the one in the tropics, when the temperatures are lower but the humidity is high, and you feel like melting. Visit New Zealand for cooler temperatures.
Need city comforts
If you search for shopping, nightlife, fancy restaurants … Wrong place! There are nice areas, restaurants and rooms in Ayers Rock Resort, but this place is about nature and culture. There are no shopping malls, 20 different restaurants serving food of different cuisines, or a cinema or anything you would find in cities like Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane or Perth.
Verdict: Is Uluru worth it?
Is it worth visiting Uluru? Yes – 100% yes! Despite the challenges, most visitors leave thinking that Uluru is worth visiting, and is one of those places you’ll never forget.
From watching the rock turn red at sunset, to stargazing under the most beautiful night sky ever, to hearing Dreamtime stories from the local Aboriginal people. Uluru is one of the most iconic landmarks in the outback, and it delivers experiences you simply can’t get anywhere else.
Like I already said, I think travelling to Uluru is well worth it, not just because of the rock but also about the surrounding areas, the history, and the respect it has among the indigenous community.
Sure, it’s not cheap, the flies can be a nightmare, and the desert heat is no joke, but those challenges fade fast compared to the magic of standing in front of this outback icon.
I would visit it again.
However, if the only reason is that you want to climb the rock (it is banned), or if you’re only after beaches, big-city nightlife, or a super-budget trip, Uluru may not be your best fit. Consider Sydney, Melbourne, or Gold Coast for urban vibes, the Whitsundays for white-sand islands, New Zealand for cooler temperatures, or Monument Valley between Nevada and Utah in the USA.
If Uluru sounds like a destination you’d enjoy, I encourage you to explore it for yourself by adding it to your Australian itinerary. Also, check out my other Australia travel guides, including things to do, Uluru accommodation guide, what to pack for the outback, best Uluru tours, how to visit, how to get here and useful travel tips.
➤ Read more Uluru travel guides
• Where is Uluru located? (+ Map)
• How to get to Uluru from anywhere in Australia
• Where to stay at Uluru: Accommodation guide and 7 best Uluru hotels
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