Uluru Tours from Alice Springs

Trips on or before 31 December 2022

If your Intrepid trip starts on or before 31 December 2022, you must provide proof of full vaccination against COVID-19.

If you are unable to be vaccinated for medical reasons, you may apply for an exemption. Exemptions will be assessed on a case-by-case basis. To apply, you must provide a medical certificate from a medical professional. 

Children under 18 are exempt. Children aged between 5 and 17 years old must provide proof of either vaccination, recovery or a negative COVID-19 test.

Trips from 1 January 2023 onwards

From 1 January 2023, Intrepid will no longer require travellers to provide proof of vaccination against COVID-19 (excluding all Polar trips and select adventure cruises). However, we continue to strongly recommend that all Intrepid travellers and leaders get vaccinated to protect themselves and others.

Specific proof of testing or vaccination may still be required by your destination or airline. Please ensure you check travel and entry requirements carefully.

Learn more about Intrepid's COVID-19 proof of vaccination policy

There are several ways to get to Uluru (Yulara) including self-driving, taking public transportation, or catching a flight. The quickest way to get there is to fly into Ayers Rock/Connellan Airport in Yulara however because it's a smaller airport, there aren't many flights that connect from other major cities in Australia. Alice Springs International Airport is more commonly used if you want to get to Uluru as it offers more flight routes and a more frequent schedule. You can also drive to Uluru if you don't mind embarking on a bit of a road trip with the journey time differing depending on which state you're travelling from.  

Read more about how to get to Uluru

The best way to get from Alice Springs to Uluru is on a guided tour like on our Red Centre Explorer as the transportation is already taken care of for you. If you have the time and don't mind spending several hours in the car, you can also drive from Alice Springs to Uluru with the journey taking just under 5 hours. While it's perfectly safe to drive, if you're not familiar with driving in the outback it's recommended you stay on concrete-paved roads and avoid the gravel/unsealed roads. 

The climate in Alice Springs is extreme in that the town experiences both hot summers and cold winters. The summer months can see temperatures climb into the 40°Cs so travelling during this time is not advisable simply because it's too hot to spend long periods of time outside. January is also the month that sees the most rainfall so the weather can often be unpredictable and very humid. Autumn cools down a fair bit, enjoying average temperatures from between 12°C - 27°C but can lower even further at nighttime. The seasons of winter and spring also enjoy fairly good weather, however, nighttime temperatures in winter can drop below 0°C. 

The best time to visit Uluru is considered to be from May to September (Autumn to Spring) as the temperatures aren't too hot with an average in the mid 20°Cs and weather conditions that are suitable for spending long periods of time in the great outdoors. While it doesn't get too cold in winter, temperatures in the morning and evening can dip to cool levels that'll have you packing some extra layers in order to keep warm. It's not advisable to travel to Uluru during the summer months as some national parks can be closed due to extreme heat and humidity with temperatures averaging in the 40°Cs. 

Learn more about the best time to visit Uluru

Packing for a trip to Uluru can be really important as it's quite a remote region so buying what you've forgotten to bring is not always an option. At the top of the packing list should be pair of sturdy and comfortable walking/hiking shoes. There are a lot of trails and national parks to explore in Uluru and its surrounding regions so making sure you can explore them without your feet hurting is a priority. It's also important to pack weather-appropriate clothing and accessories, and while the temperatures might not be that high during the winter months, you should still pack hats, sunglasses, and sunscreen to protect your body from the sun's UV rays. 

Click to read more about what to pack for Uluru

The traditional owners of Uluru and its surrounding regions are the Anangu Peoples who have been living on the land for centuries and passing down knowledge from generation to generation. The Anangu People feel like they are the protectors of this sacred land and endeavour to cherish it and share its beauty with those who come to visit. 

Read more about the traditional owners of Uluru

Intrepid is committed to making travel widely accessible, regardless of ability or disability. That’s why we do our best to help as many people see the world as possible, regardless of any physical or mental limitations they might have. However, we’re always happy to talk to travellers with disabilities and see if we can help guide them towards the most suitable itinerary for their needs and where possible, make reasonable adjustments to our itineraries.

Learn more about Accessible Travel with Intrepid