Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park

Lasseter Hwy, Uluru, Northern Territory 0872

Uluru, or Ayers Rock may be the most recognised landmark in all of Australia. With tours leaving daily from Alice Springs to the big red rock in the centre of the country, Uluru is a destination that shouldn’t be missed.

Its unbelievable scenery, uncanny sunrise and sunset colours, and its rich history, has Ayers Rock on top of the list for the best of what Australia has to offer.

Uluru is situated in Kata Tjuta National Park, some 440 kilometres away from the closest town of Alice Springs. Tours from Alice Springs to Uluru are some of the best tours in all of Australia. Not only do you get to see the real ‘red dirt’ of the centre of the country, you get to hear the stories as well. Your tour guide is well equipped with stories of the land, the rock, and the aboriginal community that resides around Ayers Rock.

The national park is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, as it is a unique and historical area of Australia. Millions of tourists make their journey to the centre of Australia every year to experience one of the most beautiful places in the world. Because of the uniqueness of the area, visitors are only allowed to stay a maximum of three nights at one time. In those three nights, Kata Tjuṯa National Park tourist operators make sure you catch a sunrise and sunset at Ayers Rock. The sunrise brings out the most vivid red and orange hues from the dirt and the sandstone rock as the sun travels up and over Uluru. Sunset brings out the incredible purple and blue hues set against Ayers Rock until the sun disappears from the horizon.

The car park available to watch both of these spectacular moments are filled daily and nightly with campervans, cars, and big tour buses, all ready with their cameras for the perfect moment to shoot. There is also a fantastic cultural visitor centre by Uluru that is full of stories, legends, and myths about the area and the Aboriginal community. Here you will be able to understand more of their stories and why they believe Ayers Rock is a spiritual location.

The Best Walks in the Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park

• Walpa Gorge Walk

  

  Walpa Gorge is also known as Windy Gorge and boasts an eclectic landscape made up of desert scenes, ancient plant life, and native animal species. The track on this route is rocky and leads visitors up to an ephemeral stream. As you go, you’ll discover rare plants that open out into a picturesque grove of spearwood. This particular walk takes around one hour to complete and is a great introduction to the historic charm of the gorge.

• The Valley of the Winds

  

  The Valley of the Winds is one of the most popular hotspots in the Uluru Kata Tjuta National Park, and for good reason. The breath-taking walls of the valley rise up in monolithic greatness, casting shadows across the surreal, red scenery that surrounds them.

  A one hour walk to the Karu Lookout promises visitors jaw-dropping views from the top. With some rocky paths to navigate, it’s worth wearing sturdy footwear and packing plenty of water to keep you hydrated.

  Another walk to the Karingana Lookout takes visitors right down into the pit of the valley to explore the majestic creek beds. There are some challenging sections on this particular route, including some steep climbs throughout the 2.5 hour walk.

  Finally, you can take the full circuit walk that takes you past the rest of the Valley of the Winds. This route is often very remote with less walkers than the others, but it’s a great way to experience the ancient beauty of the valley and its surrounds. Taking about 4 hours to complete, this track is best left to experienced walkers with good fitness levels.

Exploring the Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park is at the top of many bucket lists. The sprawling landscape filled with orange desert, rare, exotic plant life and breath-taking views makes the perfect backdrop for a memorable walk.

Tours from Alice Springs are a great way to visit the national park, especially if you are on a budget. They include your accommodation, an experienced guide who will be able to tell you local insider information to the area, and an up-close-and-personal with the aboriginal community. These amenities are completely worth booking a tour from Alice Springs.