National park · Australia
Uluṟu-Kata Tjuṯa National Park
Two nights minimum: one sunrise at Uluṟu and one at Kata Tjuṯa, base walks in the early morning, Valley of the Winds before 10:00. Skip the park in Dec–Jan heat; climbing Uluṟu is illegal.Two nights minimum: one sunrise at Uluṟu and one at Kata Tjuṯa, base walks in the early morning, Valley of the Winds before 10:00 AM. Skip the park in Dec–Jan heat; climbing Uluṟu is illegal.
Map to the park
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Area
1,326 km²512 sq mi
approximate
Established
1958
Best months
Apr–Sep
UNESCO
World Heritage
Rules in force · 7
- Oceania ↗Oceania's island states guard their farms and reefs at the border: tick 'yes' on the arrival card for any food, plant, animal product, soil or used outdoor gear, and let the officer decide.
- Oceania ↗Across the tropical South Pacific, cyclones are possible from November to April: choose insurance that covers weather delays and keep one spare night before a long-haul departure.
- Australia and New Zealand ↗Both countries drive on the left, with long distances between fuel stops in the outback and on New Zealand's back roads; fatigue causes more visitor crashes than speed.
- Australia ↗Almost every visitor needs a visa or an electronic authorisation (ETA or eVisitor, depending on passport) before boarding: apply only through the official Department of Home Affairs site or the official AustralianETA app, and check the rules for your passport.
- Australia ↗Declare all food, plant material, seeds, wood and animal products on your arrival declaration; undeclared items can bring on-the-spot fines or visa cancellation. When unsure, declare it.
- Australia ↗Drive on the left. An overseas licence in English (or with an official translation or International Driving Permit) is accepted for visitors; check the state rules and your rental contract.
- Australia ↗Swim between the red and yellow flags on patrolled beaches; rip currents cause most beach drownings.
At a glance
- Country
- Australia
- Area
- 1,326 km²512 sq mi
- Park area is roughly 1,326 km² (check); the UNESCO listing covers the same property.
- Established
- 1958
- Best months
- Apr–Sep
- Permits
- For some areas
Uluṟu-Kata Tjuṯa National Park is Anangu land in the Northern Territory's Red Centre, leased to the government and jointly managed with Parks Australia. It holds two separate formations 36 km apart: Uluṟu, a single sandstone monolith rising 348 m above the plain with a 9.4 km base, and Kata Tjuṯa, 36 conglomerate domes whose highest point, Mount Olga, stands about 198 m higher than Uluṟu. The park has no accommodation and no camping; everyone sleeps at Yulara, 15–20 km outside the gate. Climbing Uluṟu has been illegal since 2019, and parts of Kata Tjuṯa are closed to visitors entirely.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- UNESCO World Heritage · 1987Listed for natural values; re-listed in 1994 for cultural values (Anangu Tjukurpa).
- Special national site · 1958Handed back to Anangu in 1985 and leased to Parks Australia for 99 years.
Size and age
1,326 km²512 sq mi · national park since 1958
Park area is roughly 1,326 km² (check); the UNESCO listing covers the same property.
Why go
- Two formations in one ticket: a monolith you walk around and a dome range you walk into.
- The Cultural Centre explains Tjukurpa before you see the sites, which changes what you notice.
- Sunrise and sunset light on the rock is the reason most people come; the viewing areas are built for it.
- The Valley of the Winds is a genuine 3-hour desert walk, not a boardwalk.
When to go
- JanAvoid
- FebCaution
- MarCaution
- AprBest
- MayBest
- JunBest
- JulBest
- AugBest
- SepBest
- OctGo
- NovCaution
- DecAvoid
- Jan40 °C+; some areas close for safety104 °F+; some areas close for safety
- FebHottest month; 40 °C daysHottest month; 104 °F days
- MarStill hot; cooling at night
- AprWarm days, cold nights, clear
- MayMild days; peak season starts
- JunCold nights near 0 °C; dryCold nights near 32 °F; dry
- JulNights can fall to −5 °C; bring layersNights can fall to 23 °F; bring layers
- AugCold mornings, sunny days
- SepWarming; wildflowers; busy
- OctHot by late month; fewer people
- Nov35 °C+; walk early only95 °F+; walk early only
- Dec45 °C possible; heat closures113 °F possible; heat closures
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Red kangaroos and euros at dawn and duskAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Black-footed rock-wallabies around Kata TjuṯaApr–Sep | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
| Desert birds — zebra finches, budgerigars, raptorsMar–May, Sep–Oct | no | no | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | yes | yes | no | no |
| Wildflowers after winter rainAug–Oct | no | no | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | no | no |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
How to get there
From Yulara (resort village)
Sealed road to the park gate, then 15–20 min to Uluṟu or about 45 min to Kata Tjuṯa; drive yourself or take the shuttle.
20–45 min
From Ayers Rock Airport (AYQ)
Direct flights from Sydney, Melbourne and Cairns; the airport is about 15 km north of Uluṟu and next to Yulara.Direct flights from Sydney, Melbourne and Cairns; the airport is about 9.3 mi north of Uluṟu and next to Yulara.
10–15 min to Yulara
Open the page →
From Alice Springs
Drive the Stuart Highway south to Erldunda, then the Lasseter Highway west; about 450 km, sealed the whole way.Drive the Stuart Highway south to Erldunda, then the Lasseter Highway west; about 280 mi, sealed the whole way.
4.5–5 h
From Red Centre road trip
Link Uluṟu with Kings Canyon and the West MacDonnell Ranges on one loop.
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Uluṟu and its base | The monolith, the Mala, Liru, Kuniya and base walks, Mutitjulu Waterhole and rock art. | Open with a park pass; some base sections are closed or no-photography. |
| Talinguru Nyakunytjaku | The purpose-built sunrise and sunset viewing area east of Uluṟu, with 1.6 km of walking tracks, shelters and toilets.The purpose-built sunrise and sunset viewing area east of Uluṟu, with 1 mi of walking tracks, shelters and toilets. | Open; the main sunrise spot. |
| Kata Tjuṯa | 36 domes, the Walpa Gorge and Valley of the Winds walks, and its own sunrise and sunset viewing points. | Open; some areas closed for cultural reasons. |
| Cultural Centre | Anangu art, Tjukurpa stories, a café and the place to start before walking. | Open daily, roughly 10:00–16:00 (check).Open daily, roughly 10:00 AM–4:00 PM (check). |
Sketch map
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park entry (3-day pass) | AUD 38 | person | 2026 estimate; children under 18 free. Pass covers 3 consecutive days (check current price). |
| Annual park pass | AUD 50 | person | 2026 estimate; worth it only if you return within 12 months. |
| Uluru Hop On Hop Off shuttle, Uluṟu return | AUD 49 | adult | 2026 estimate; child fare lower. Kata Tjuṯa return costs more. |
| Uluru Camel Tours, sunrise or sunset | AUD 135 | person | 2026 estimate; transfers included. |
| Outback Cycling base ride | AUD 60 | adult | 2026 estimate; tag-a-long and child seat cheaper. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry pass permit or guide
Commercial tour or filming permit or guide
Climbing Uluṟu no permit
Park rules
- Climbing Uluṟu
- Illegal since October 2019. The chain and the climb route are closed.
- Closed areas at Kata Tjuṯa
- Parts of the dome range are off-limits to visitors for cultural reasons; stay on marked tracks.
- Photography restrictions
- A few sites around the Uluṟu base and in Kata Tjuṯa may not be photographed; signs mark them.
- Drones
- Not allowed without Parks Australia approval (check).
- Off-road driving
- Not permitted anywhere away from the sealed roads and car parks.
- Camping
- No camping in the park; the park gates close at night. Sleep at Yulara.
- Pets
- Not allowed in the park.
Where to stay
Near the park
Yulara (Ayers Rock Resort)
The only accommodation: hotels, apartments, a hostel and a campground, 15–20 min from the gate. Book months ahead for May–Sep.
Near the park
Alice Springs
Cheaper beds and more choice, but 450 km and 4.5–5 h each way; only workable as a tour or a long drive.Cheaper beds and more choice, but 280 mi and 4.5–5 h each way; only workable as a tour or a long drive.
Near the park
Kings Canyon / Watarrka
About 300 km by road; pairs with Uluṟu on a Red Centre loop.About 186 mi by road; pairs with Uluṟu on a Red Centre loop.
Safety
Heat exhaustion on the walks high
Cold nights in winter medium
Wildlife on the road after dark high
Remote distances medium
Accessibility
- The Cultural Centre, Talinguru Nyakunytjaku viewing areas and the Kuniya Walk to Mutitjulu Waterhole are wheelchair accessible.
- The Valley of the Winds and the full base walk are rough, rocky and not suitable for limited mobility.
Visiting lightly
- Stay on the tracks — the park protects hundreds of plant species, 24 native mammals and 72 reptiles.
- Buy from Anangu-owned art centres rather than mass-produced souvenirs.
- Carry out all rubbish; there are few bins in the park.
- Take only the sunrise and sunset trips you need; shuttle and tour seats are the main emissions source here.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Uluṟu-Kata Tjuṯa National Park?
A 3-day park pass costs about A$38 per adult (2026 estimate) and children under 18 enter free. The pass is checked at the gate and covers both Uluṟu and Kata Tjuṯa. An annual pass is also available if you plan to return.
What are the best hikes in Uluṟu-Kata Tjuṯa National Park?
The 9.4 km Uluṟu base walk (3–4 h, flat) and the 7.4 km Valley of the Winds at Kata Tjuṯa (3–4 h, rough, closes at 11:00 on hot days) are the two big ones. Shorter options are the 2 km Mala Walk, the 1 km Kuniya Walk to Mutitjulu Waterhole and the 2.6 km Walpa Gorge.
When is the best time to visit Uluṟu-Kata Tjuṯa National Park?
April to September. Days are mild to warm and skies are clear; June–August nights can fall below 0 °C, so pack layers for sunrise. December and January can exceed 45 °C and some areas close for safety.
Can you climb Uluṟu?
No. Climbing has been illegal since October 2019 at the request of the Anangu traditional owners, and the chain route is closed. Walk the base instead.
Do I need a car in the park?
It helps. Roads to Uluṟu and Kata Tjuṯa are sealed and 2WD-friendly, but there is no public transport inside the park. Without a car, use the shuttle from Yulara (Uluṟu return about A$49 adult, 2026 estimate) or a tour.
Where do you stay near Uluṟu?
Yulara, the resort village 15–20 km from the park gate, is the only option — hotels, apartments, a hostel and a campground. There is no accommodation or camping inside the park, and the gates close at night.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Sources
- officialParks Australia — Uluṟu-Kata Tjuṯa National Park
- officialUNESCO World Heritage Centre — Uluṟu-Kata Tjuṯa National Park
- officialBureau of Meteorology — Uluṟu forecast
- secondaryWikipedia — Uluṟu-Kata Tjuṯa National Park
- secondaryWikivoyage: Uluṟu-Kata Tjuṯa National Park, revision 5240191 (CC BY-SA 4.0)