For those of you who don’t know, the Uluru climb has officially closed. Effective as of October 26, 2019, visitors to Uluru are no longer permitted to climb the rock. In fact, anyone caught climbing the rock can be fined up to $10,000.

But this doesn’t mean you should take it off your bucket list. There are so many incredible experiences you can have at Uluru and the surrounding National Park. More than just a photo opportunity, visiting the Red Centre is an absolute must for anyone travelling in Australia.

During my time at Uluru, I chose not to climb and still had a life-changing experience. If you’re a bit unsure about travelling there since the closure of the climb, here are 22 other things you can do in the Red Centre.

Walk around the base of the rock

This is the best way to truly experience the enormity of Uluru. If you’re feeling up to it, you can walk the entire 10.5km around the base of the rock. Getting up close gives you the chance to see ancient rock art, incredible geological formations and sacred waterholes. Better yet, if you take a guided walk you’ll get a history lesson along the way.

Tip: you can see Uluru from afar but if you are wanting to get up close to the rock, you will need to purchase a National Park pass. Some day tour operators will include them in the cost of the tour but if not you can purchase one online here.

Hire a bike and cycle around Uluru

If you’re not up for a 10.5km walk, hire a bike and take a ride around the rock instead. Bike hire is available from the Outback Cycling allowing you to explore at your own pace. The company provides transfers out to the rock, a helmet, and 3 hours of riding time in the Uluru Kata-Tjuta National Park.

Circle the rock on the back of a Harley Davidson

For those looking an adrenaline rush, Uluru Motorcycle Tours gives you the chance to loop around the rock on the back of a motorcycle. With a choice of either a Harley Davidson or three-seater trike, this is perfect for those adventurers at heart.

Ride a camel to Uluru

Another popular way to see Uluru, is on the back of a camel. Uluru Camel Tours run 4 sessions each day giving you the chance to ride a camel through the red sand dunes. You can choose to do a 45-minute express ride during the morning or afternoon that takes you for a short viewing of Uluru. Alternatively, there is an option to book a camel ride at sunrise or sunset, meaning you’ll get to see the sky turn a gorgeous shade of pink whilst riding through the dunes.

See a sunset over the rock

The sunsets in the Red Centre are absolutely stunning. As the sun sets over Uluru, the colour of the rock changes, making the experience even more jaw-dropping.

There are a number of viewing areas in the Ayers Rock resort where you can snap a few photos of the sunsets. Or if you want an up-close experience, you can book a sunset tour out to the rock. Transport and canapes are usually included in the tours, meaning you can sit and relax with a glass of wine in hand whilst watching the sun go down.

Experience the Sounds of Silence dinner

Start the night with canapes and sparkling wine and finish with a talk about the stars whilst viewing the milky way. The award-winning Sounds of Silence dinner is a once in a lifetime experience. You can sit and watch the sun go down over Uluru as you enjoy a bush-tucker inspired 3-course dinner. Listen to the sound of the didgeridoo in the background as you help yourself to the generous buffet of delicious food.

See the Field of Light

50,000 coloured globes lighting up the desert floor, with the silhouette of Uluru in the background. This is something you have to see. The solar-powered art installation by international artist Bruce Munro, is overwhelming in size, covering an area the size of 7 football fields. The view is incredible. Seeing the lights grow brighter as the sun sets over Uluru is an unforgettable experience.

Have an authentic Uluru BBQ dinner

If you’re wanting a true outback experience, why not try a traditional Aussie barbeque right beside the rock. You can sit under the stars alongside Uluru and enjoy steak, sausages, chicken, garlic prawns and a variety of salads. You can even try some kangaroo meat if you’re feeling adventurous.

Try Aboriginal dot painting

The Red Centre is the perfect place to try dot painting. Learn how to dot paint from a local Indigenous artist and gain an insight into the culture and history of the Anangu people. After you’ve created your masterpiece you’ll tour the local art gallery and see other artists at work.

Attend a bush tucker talk

The Ayers Rock resort offers a number of free activities to visitors, including a bush tucker experience. Join one of the locals to learn about bush tucker and try some samples. You’ll also learn about the history of the Anangu people, and how they lived off the land and searched for bush tucker.

Take a walk with an Aboriginal local to learn about the flora and fauna

This is another free activity offered by the resort. The local Indigenous people organise guided walks through the grounds of the Desert Gardens hotel. This is a great way to learn about the native flora and fauna in the area. You’ll also gain an understanding of how different plants were used to make tools, shelter, clothing, and more by the Anangu people in the past.

Ride in a helicopter and see Uluru from the sky

This one comes with a higher price tag, but is an incredible way to see Uluru. If you’re after a birds-eye view (and some stunning photos), take to the skies and see the Red Centre from either a helicopter or fixed-wing airplane. If you choose one of the longer helicopter rides, you’ll get the chance to soar over Kata Tjuta as well and see the national park in its entirety.

Ride a segway around the rock

If you’ve never ridden a segway before, this is the perfect place to try. Uluru Segway Tours offer guided trips around Uluru with plenty of photos stops along the way. You’ll have the chance to see Aboriginal rock art as well as the famous Mutitjulu waterhole. Even better, if you book a sunrise tour, you can sit and watch the colours of the rock change before setting off on your segway.

Do one of the many walks in the Uluru Kata Tjuta National Park

If 10.5km around the base of Uluru, reaaaaaally doesn’t sound like fun, there are plenty of other walks within the National Park.

The Mala Walk is around 2km in length and offers a peaceful stroll with plenty of impressive rock art. Near the end of the walk, you’ll arrive at Kantju Gorge, a breathtaking sandstone wall that is the perfect location for sunset photos. The Kuniya Walk will take you to the Mutitjulu Waterhole. The short walk is lush and shaded, making it an ideal option for warmer days. For some of the most stunning geological features, definitely do the Lungkata Walk. Years of erosion have left some incredible caves and crevices that you won’t see anywhere else in the world. The North-East Face Walk is possibly the most sacred part of Uluru. The traditional owners of the land do not permit visitors to take photos of this part of the rock, which is even more of a reason to see it in person.

See Kata Tjuta

Kata Tjuta, also known as The Olgas, is another sandstone rock formation within the National Park. The structure rises 546 metres above the ground and is made up of 36 individual domes. To truly explore the domes, there are two walks to chose from. The Valley of the Winds walk is a 7km loop around the domes, with two viewing points along the way. This does involve some climbing over rocks so it requires a decent level of fitness. If you’re after a shorter, more accessible option, the Walpa Gorge Walk takes you between the two tallest domes of Kata Tjuta to a small waterhole at the end. This walk may be shorter, but the view is just as good.

Go to an astronomy talk and see the stars above Uluru

Being in the middle of the desert with minimal light pollution allows you to see the stars in way you’ve never seen them before. There are daily astronomy talks at Uluru allowing you to learn about the stars and view the milky way. Most dinners inside the Uluru Kata Tjuta National Park finish with a star talk, but you can always venture out and see the skies for yourself. If you want to get photos, you’ll need a good quality DSLR camera. iPhone cameras do not capture their true beauty (trust me, I tried).

Visit the cultural centre

The Cultural Centre is the perfect place to learn about the Uluru Kata Tjuta National Park through presentations and free talks with the park rangers. There are a number of exhibitions to explore as well some locally-owned cafes and shops. The Tjukurpa Tunnel is one of the most popular experiences at the Cultural Centre. As you walk through the tunnels you will learn about the traditional owners of the land and the creation of Uluru. The tunnels are self-guided so you can explore at your own pace. Just be mindful that photos are strictly prohibited.

Tali Wiru

So I’ve mentioned the 3-course Sounds of Silence dinner, but how about 4 courses? Tali Wiru, which means ‘beautiful dune’ in Anangu language, is a world-class intimate dining experience. The dinner includes champagne and bush-tucker inspired canapes followed by 4 courses of exquisite food paired with matching wines. As for the menu? It is just a little bit fancy with items such as pressed wallaby and fermented quandong, wagyu beef fillet with glazed greens or king prawns with rainforest cherry gel.

Relax at the Red Ochre Spa

After all of that exploring, you’re going to need to relax at the spa, right? The Red Ochre Spa offers a number of treatments such as massage, detox body scrubs, facials, and hair treatments. The spa is located within the 5-star Sails in the Desert hotel and is the perfect place to visit after a 10.5km walk around Uluru.

Have a picnic by the rock

If you are wanting to have a picnic inside the Uluru Kata Tjuta National Park, you can do so with uninterrupted views of the rock. Alongside the cultural centre there is a picnic area with tables, barbeques and shaded areas to sit and relax. It is the perfect spot for an afternoon meal with the family and perhaps a few glasses of wine.

Shop for souvenirs in the town square

I’ll be honest, Uluru is a very small town. The town square is made up of less than a dozen shops in total. There is a supermarket, newsagency, post office, and a few gift shops and cafes. But if you are after some presents to take home for your family and friends, there are some great souvenir shops that sell everything from fridge magnets to didgeridoos. You can even head to the local post office to send a postcard to your loved ones back home.

Visit one of the art galleries

There are a number of art galleries within the Ayers Rock Resort, offering dot-paintings and artworks, hand-crafted glassware, textiles, jewellery, and homewares. My personal favourite gallery is the Wintjiri Arts and Museum. Located next to the Desert Gardens Hotel, this gallery showcases the works of Indigenous and non-indigenous people who take up residence at Uluru to work on their art pieces. The artists stay for a month at a time and are able to exhibit and sell their work in the Wintjiri Arts and Museum.

Have you been to Uluru before? Or perhaps planning to go in the future? Let me know what awesome activities you experienced in the Red Centre. I may just have to put it on my list for my next trip.

Until the next adventure,

Jetsetter Soph