From a spot on your bucket list to a real-life experience, the magic of Uluru awaits...

The vast and diverse landscapes of the Northern Territory are bursting with some of Australia's most iconic and culturally sacred sites, and perhaps the most significant of them all is Uluru. Nestled in the heart of the outback, this magical monolith and its surroundings are not only filled with Dreamtime and creation stories, but with the knowledge of culture, relationships, food, animals, and way of life for the traditional custodians who've lived on this land for centuries. Follow your guide on our Uluru tours from Alice Springs and set off on an unforgettable journey through the Red Centre, dipping your toes into Aboriginal culture along the way before witnessing some stomach-dropping and awe-inspiring views of the ancient rock formation itself. From small moments such as witnessing the sunset over the shifting desert to big moments like marvelling at the First Nations history etched into the sandstone cliffs of Walpa Gorge, this region's natural beauty will take your breath away. 

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Things to do on our Uluru tours from Alice Springs

Aerial view of the lush and sleepy town of Alice Springs on a sunny day.

Explore Alice Springs

We’d forgive you for thinking that Alice Springs is just the starting point for some pretty magical adventures through the desert such as on our Premium Red Centre tour, but it’s actually so much more than that. Both relaxing and culturally diverse, this somewhat sleepy town deserve to be seen thanks to its various First Nations experiences, riveting desert parks, local produce markets, fun-filled festivals, and captivating art trails you simply can’t get anywhere else.  

Two travellers smiling in front of Uluru in the setting sun

Marvel at the magnificent Uluru

You could spend your entire trip gazing up at Uluru and still not feel as if you’ve seen enough of it. That’s because it’s hard to perfectly encapsulate the absolute majesty of this monolithic formation at a staggering 384 metres high and 10-kilometre circumference. But you can try. Concealed within its rocky folds lie caves full of ancient Aboriginal art and gentle cascades that’ll have you committing Uluru’s very presence to your memory to be replayed for years to come. 

The colourful lights of the Field of Lights at dusk in Uluru

Witness the beauty of the Field of Lights

The beautifulness of Uluru doesn’t disappear when the sun goes down because, after dark, the landscape becomes illuminated with red, purple, pink, and blue lights for a sight you‘ll never forget. Known as the Field of Lights, this exhibition is the size of seven football fields (yep, seven) and was created by international artist Bruno Munro after 10 years of development. Wander through the 50,000 tiny glass spindles and let your imagination run wild as the outline of Uluru makes for the perfect backdrop. 

A perfectly made up dinner table in the red desert of the Aussie Outback under a colourful sky.

Have dinner in the middle of the Outback

Nothing says ‘best day ever’ like enjoying a meal made from local bush ingredients under the stars after hours spent exploring the Aussie desert. Whether you’re fresh from wandering the base of Uluru or you’ve just returned from your trek through Kings Canyon, treat your tastebuds to a delicious dinner alongside your fellow travellers. Let the sounds of a didgeridoo combine with the glittering night sky above you for a once-in-a-lifetime experience you’ll be telling everyone about long after you return home. 

Local Anangu person sharing Aboriginal culture with the backdrop of Kata Tjuta in the background.

Join a local Anangu guide on a Mutitjulu Waterhole Walk

One of the greatest ways to fully immerse yourself within the Red Centre’s culture is by learning from those who know it best, in Uluru’s case, the Anangu People. Not only is Uluru sacred to the traditional custodians of the land, but it’s also home to an abundance of watering holes and ancient rock paintings that tell stories of creation and detail a way of life from centuries ago. Journey to one of these special places, the Mutitjulu Waterhole, and listen to your guide as they explain the incredible connection this landscape and its surroundings have to the Anangu People.  

A group of travellers walking through the domes of Kata Tjuta in the Northern Territory

Wander through the captivating Kata Tjuta National Park

Just when you thought Mother Nature’s work couldn’t get any better, the 36 rust-coloured domes of Kata Tjuta rise out of the desert landscape to prove you wrong. Beautiful in nature and breathtaking in stature, these otherworldly rock formations are not only extremely photogenic, but they also play an important and culturally significant part in the lives of the Anangu People. So, whether you want to take in their size and shape from afar or marvel at them from along a variety of trails, these 20,000-year-old formations deserve a spot on any must-see list.  

Uluru from Alice Springs tour reviews

Uluru from Alice Springs FAQs

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

Read more about Uluru