For someone who has lived in Australia for their entire life, I admittedly had never intended on visiting Uluru. I was more interested in taking holidays overseas rather than seeing my own backyard. This year, I thought I’d change that my ticking off some places on my Aussie bucket list.

I recently travelled to Uluru, and it was honestly incredible. Believe me when I say the photos do not do it justice. It’s the kind of place that you need to see in person to truly appreciate its beauty.

Uluru, also known as Ayers Rock, is a massive red rock monolith located in Australia’s Northern Territory. The 348-metre tall sandstone formation is owned by the Anangu people and is a significant part of the Australian culture.

How to get there

Flying into Uluru is the easiest and fastest option. You can fly directly into Ayers Rock Airport from most capital cities in Australia. The non-direct flights generally go via Alice Springs and can be slightly more expensive.

A lot of people are mistaken by thinking they can fly into Alice Springs and catch a taxi down the road to Uluru. I strongly advise against this, as Uluru is 6 hour drive from Alice Springs.

Getting around

If you’re exploring Uluru on your own, I would recommend picking up a hire car from the airport. Make sure to book in advance to avoid missing out. A lot of the attractions in Uluru are not as close you think, so hiring a car is the best option for independent travellers.

If you have organised day tours in Uluru and don’t intend on doing any solo adventures, then you won’t need a hire car. The tour operators pick up from most hotels in the Ayers Rock Resort. The resort also offers complimentary transfers to and from the airport. Just exit the airport upon arrival and jump onto one of the AAT Kings coaches out the front.

There is a free shuttle bus that circles the resort every 20 minutes. This will come in handy if you’re wanting to avoid the heat and the flies.

Things to Do and See

Uluru

This is a pretty obvious one, I mean, it is the main reason people visit after all. But there are many ways to see the rock and all of its natural beauty.

Base walk: This is the best way to explore the rock to truly absorb its enormity. The base walk is 10.5km and gives you the opportunity to see Aboriginal rock art, waterholes, and stunning geological features.

Bike riding: Another popular way to see the rock is on two wheels. Bicycle hire is available from Outback Cycling, allowing you to explore Uluru at your own pace.

Segways: Continuing with the two-wheel theme, circling the rock on a segway is a pretty unique way to see it. Uluru Segway Tours offer guided trips around the base of Uluru with plenty of opportunities to hop off and take photos (just don’t text and ride).

Harley Davidson tours: If you’re after something more fast-paced, why not see Uluru from the back of a motorbike. Uluru Motorcycle Tours offer tours on the back of a Harley Davidson or a 3-wheeler trike for those after a little bit of adrenaline.

Scenic flights: What is better than seeing Uluru from the ground? Seeing it from the sky of course. Why not book a scenic flight and experience a 360 view of Uluru, Kata Tjuta and the vast, desert landscape that surrounds.

Kata Tjuta

Kata Tjuta, also known as The Olgas, is an incredible formation of rock domes that rise 546 metres above the ground (yep, that’s taller than Uluru). The 36 individual domes span for more than 20 square kilometres across the red earth.

For my fellow explorers, Kata Tjuta has two walks that you can choose from to explore the domes and soak up the scenery. The Valley of the Winds walk is the most popular and is a 7km loop with two viewing points along the way. Be wary there is a bit of climbing involved in this walk as well as loose stones that can be a trip hazard.

The Walpa Gorge walk is the shorter and easier option and is a 2.6km walk between the two highest domes of Kata Tjuta. It may be a lot shorter, but the views are just as amazing.

The Field of Light

50,000 coloured lights in the centre of the desert, blooming as the sun falls over Uluru. This is something you HAVE to see. The Field of Light is a solar-powered art installation designed by international artist Bruce Munro. The 50,000 stems grow brighter into the night, lighting up the desert floor, with the silhouette of Uluru in the background.

There a multiple options to see the Field of Light starting from a simple entry pass to a 3-course dinner overlooking the light-filled desert. I personally choose to do the sunrise Field of Light option and could not believe how beautiful the installation looked in the darkness of the early morning.

Ride a Camel

Another popular way to explore Uluru and its surrounds is on the back of a camel. Uluru Camel Tours offer a number of journeys through the red dunes including the (very popular) sunrise and sunset rides. If you’re a little short on time, there is also an option to do an express ride which includes a 45-minute ride through the desert.

If you’re feeling really fancy, you can even take a camel ride to the Night at Field of Light. It is a pretty impressive form of transport to take to dinner.

Sounds of Silence Dinner

A three-course dinner under the stars, overlooking Uluru and Kata Tjuta. The Sounds of Silence dinner has been running for 26 years, which just goes to show how amazing it is. The award-winning dinner includes a delicious menu featuring native Australian ingredients as well a star-talk and didgeridoo demonstration.

It really is an experience you won’t get anywhere else in the world.

Uluru Sunset/Sunrise

You can’t go to Uluru without witnessing a sunrise or sunset. In my opinion, it is a must when visiting the rock. The colour of the rock changes with the sun, making the experience even more jaw-dropping.

There are multiple viewing areas around the Ayers Rock Resort where you can sit down and watch the magic happen. Alternatively, there are multiple tour companies that travel out to the desert dunes to watch the sun go down. Plus, they usually have wine and cheese included.

Kings Canyon

The Grand Canyon of Australia (just on a smaller scale). Kings Canyon is a 3-hour drive from Uluru making it an easily accessible day trip location. The stunning sandstone walls rise hundreds of metres above the ground, surrounding the lush ferns and rugged rock formations below.

If you an adventurer at heart, you can take the 6km rim walk to explore the canyon and witness the incredible views below. Venture down into the canyon and explore the many waterholes, rocky domes, and thriving greenery.

If you’ve been to Uluru before, let me know in the comments down below. If not, it is definitely something that should be on everyone’s bucket list.