Uluru or Ayers Rock is one of Australia’s most iconic sights. Situated in the heart of the Central Australian Desert, it’s a very long way from anywhere else. While it might take a herculean effort to get here, the amazing sight of the huge sandstone structure rising above the surrounding plains is one you’ll never forget. Nor is the sight of a thousand stars in the night sky if you choose to camp out overnight in the vicinity of Uluru.
In this article we’ll be taking a look at the best time to Visit Uluru. We’ll consider the practicalities of visiting such an isolated location during the summer months when temperatures can soar to dangerous levels. We’ll also consider the best time to visit to make the most of the stunning photography opportunities and when to visit to avoid the crowds.
Where is Uluru?
Uluru is located in the centre of Australia in the Central Australian Desert. From an administrative perspective, it falls within the southern boundary of the Northern Territory. The site is part of the Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, which also includes Kata Tjuta, otherwise known as The Olgas. Uluru is situated in a very remote location, 468 km by road from Alice Springs, the closest major town.
Best Time of the Year to Visit Uluru
There’s a lot of differing opinions around the best time of year to visit Uluru. Many website will recommend visiting during the winter months when temperatures are much cooler, often in the mid-teens. Others will recommend a visit during the Spring or Autumn, where temperatures are hot but not overbearing. Few if any will recommend visiting during the summer months of December, January and February where temperatures in the shade can top 40°C.
Our view is that the best time of year to visit depends on your type of trip. If you’re planning on a significant amount of hiking you’re going to want to visit during the cooler winter months. If you’re planning on camping out, you’re going to be better off visiting during the spring or autumn when overnight temperatures are more amenable.
So in summary, the best time to visit will be driven by when you can visit and the type of trip you’re planning. As the area receives a very limited amount of rainfall throughout the year, the deciding factor of when to visit will always be the temperature and there’s a very big variation between seasons.
Uluru Weather by Month
Month | Maximum Temp | Minimum Temp | Days of Rain |
January | 35°C | 19°C | 3 |
February | 34°C | 18°C | 3 |
March | 31°C | 15°C | 3 |
April | 26°C | 10°C | 2 |
May | 22°C | 6°C | 2 |
June | 18°C | 3°C | 2 |
July | 18°C | 1°C | 1 |
August | 21°C | 4°C | 2 |
September | 24°C | 7°C | 3 |
October | 29°C | 11°C | 3 |
November | 32°C | 15°C | 4 |
December | 35°C | 18°C | 26 |
Uluru Opening Hours
Uluru is located in the Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park in Central Australia. There’s no accommodation within the park so all visitors need to arrive and depart within the parks designated opening and closing times. These times change throughout the year to accommodate both the sunrise and the sunset. The park times for each month are shown below.
Month | Opening Time | Closing Time |
January | 5:00 am | 9:00 pm |
February | 5:00 am | 9:00 pm |
March | 5:30 am | 8:30 pm |
April | 5:30 am | 8:00 pm |
May | 6:00 am | 7:30 pm |
June | 6:30 am | 7:30 pm |
July | 6:30 am | 7:30 pm |
August | 6.00 am | 7:30 pm |
September | 5:30 am | 7:30 pm |
October | 5:00 am | 8:00 pm |
November | 5:00 am | 8:30 pm |
December | 5:00 am | 9:00 pm |
Best Time of the Day to Visit Uluru
With the Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park open from dawn until dusk there’s plenty of opportunity to visit at different times of the day. The vast rock can appear very differently during different times of the day, particularly at sunrise and sunset. Tickets for the national park allow you to visit for 3 consecutive days, so it’s perfectly possible to experience the site at different times without burning yourself out in a single day.
The best time of day to visit varies by activity and season, with the heat of summer one of the biggest considerations.
Best Time of Day to Photograph Uluru
There’s no bad time to photograph Uluru, but the richest colours are during sunrise and sunset. During the bright middle of the day the glare of the sun can make it difficult to capture the rich colours of Uluru.
Best Time of Day to Hike Around Uluru
The hiking trail around Uluru is around 10 km in length and typically takes 3-4 hours to complete. During the winter season it’s possible to complete the hike at any point in the day as temperatures don’t generally exceed 22-23°C. However during the warmer spring and autumn you should be much more cautious and check conditions. During the summer months you shouldn’t attempt the hike outside of the early morning or late afternoon.
There’s very little shade at all on the hiking trail, so make sure you bring plenty of water and a hat. You should also never attempt the hike on your own in case you get into trouble.
Best Time of Day to Avoid the Crowds at Uluru
Most visitors to Uluru only visit once and typically come to see it at either sunrise or sunset. As these are the most popular times for visitors, almost all tours are scheduled around sunrise and sunset as well. Therefore the middle of the day is the quietest time to visit Uluru with the fewest crowds. This is especially true during the summer months when the temperature can become unbearably hot.
What to See and Do at Uluru
Of course seeing Uluru is real reason people travel from far and wide, but there’s also plenty of other activities in and around the area. Here are some of the best activities to do in and around Uluru:
Hike Around Uluru – There’s a 10 km hiking trail around Uluru that has become increasingly popular since climbing Uluru was prohibited. It takes around 3 to 4 hours to complete and gives you a very different perspective on the structure. There’s very little shade on the route so bring water and a hat.
Visit Kata Tjuta – The other attraction in the national park is Kata Tjuta, also known as The Olgas. These 36 rock domes lie 30 km to the west of Uluru. There’s some good hikes in the area including the Walpa Gorge Walk and the Valley of the Winds Walk.
Segway, Cycle or Ride Around Uluru – There’s a whole host of different ways to experience and circumnavigate Uluru. Some of the most fun and unique include Segway tours, cycling or even riding a camel around the massive site.
Sleep Out Under a Thousand Stars – If the weather permits it and you’re brave enough, sleeping out in a swag is an unforgettable experience. Uluru and the surrounding areas are one of the most isolated in the world, with very little light pollution at all. This makes star and planet spotting exceptionally spectacular.
Can you Climb Uluru?
It is no longer possible to climb Uluru. The national parks Board of Management took the decision to permanently suspend climbing the rock from 26 October 2019. This decision was taken to respect the beliefs of the indigenous Anangu people, who have held Uluru as a sacred location for thousands of years.
Where to Stay in Uluru
There’s no accommodation or camping allowed within the Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park. Most visitors choose to stay at the nearby Ayers Rock Resort, which includes 5 different hotels, exclusive boutique camping and a campground. There’s also a host of restaurants and amenities available here, including a supermarket. There’s a number of other campgrounds in the vicinity as well.
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