Best Time to Visit Uluru | Intrepid Travel NL

When’s the best time of year to travel to Uluru?

The best time to visit Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park is generally between May and September when the days are dry and warm (but not scorching). Summer trips aren’t off the cards, but you’ll need to be prepared for hot, sweaty weather. Uluru is awe-inspiring come rain or shine, and the best time to visit ultimately depends on what type of experience you want. We’ve broken down each season to help you plan your trip.

Located in the heart of the Outback, you might assume it's hot and dry all year round. But it’s quite the opposite! With a semi-arid desert climate, the weather can be extreme. Summer is sweltering with occasional storms (the amount of rainfall varies from year to year), while winter is warm and dry during the day with cold nighttime temps that often plummet below zero.

Visiting in the summer (October-March)

Best for: thinner crowds and waterfalls (if you're lucky)

It can be uncomfortably hot and muggy in the summer with average highs of 31-35°C – though it’s not uncommon for it to climb into the 40s. Though hard to predict, rainfall is most likely in the summer and the humidity can make the heat more intense. Flies are ever-present in the Outback, but they’re rife in the summer so you’ll need a protective head net. If it does rain, you may be one of the lucky few to see temporary waterfalls flowing down Uluru's rock faces – you don’t see that every day! Stay hydrated and set off early to beat the midday heat.

Visiting in the winter (June-July)

Best for: comfortable weather and great walking conditions

June and July are the coldest months, but daytime highs still range between a pleasant 18-23°C and sunshine is plentiful. Wearing a T-shirt and shorts is fine during the day, but you’ll need a jumper and long pants handy to change into for sunset. Nights are surprisingly cold, so warm layers are essential for sunrise tours and late-night chats around the fire if you’re camping (think beanie, gloves and a down jacket). Although it never feels super crowded in the Outback, just bear in mind that winter is one of the busiest seasons at Uluru.

Visiting during spring (August-September) and autumn (April-May)

Best for: thriving flora, pleasant weather and mild nights

Weather-wise, August/September and April/May are excellent months to visit Uluru as the days aren’t blisteringly hot, and nights aren’t too chilly. Spring is a particularly beautiful time of year as desert flora is thriving (yup, the Red Centre is surprisingly green!) and reptiles emerge from hibernation.

Average temperatures in Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park

MONTH	AVERAGE HIGH (°C)	AVERAGE LOW (°C)
January	35	19
February	34	18
March	31	15
April	26	10
May	22	6
June	18	3
July	18	1
August	21	4
September	24	7
October	29	11
November	32	15
December	35	18