Uluru, or Ayers Rock, as it was previously known, is one of Australia’s most iconic sights. Situated in the heart of the Central Australian Desert, it’s a long way from anywhere or anything 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 plan to camp overnight near Uluru.
In this article, we’ll look at the best time to visit Uluru. We’ll also consider the practicalities of visiting such an isolated location during summer 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.
Uluru is located in the center 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, previously known as The Olgas. Uluru is situated in a very remote location, 468 km by road from Alice Springs, the closest major town.
There are a lot of differing opinions about the best time of year to visit Uluru. Many websites recommend visiting during winter when temperatures are much cooler, often in the mid-teens. Others will recommend a visit during the Spring or Autumn when 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 plan on a significant amount of hiking, you will want to visit during the cooler winter months. If you plan camping out, you’ll 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.
While rainfall remains consistently low throughout the year, there’s a much greater range if temperatures. The table below shows these variations by each month of the year.
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 is located in the Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park in Central Australia. There’s no accommodation within the park, so all visitors must arrive and depart within the park’s 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 |
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 differently at different times, 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.
There’s no bad time to photograph Uluru, but the richest colors are during sunrise and sunset. During the bright middle of the day, the sun’s glare can make it difficult to capture the rich colors of 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 more cautious and check conditions. You shouldn’t attempt the hike outside the early morning or late afternoon during the summer months.
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 alone in case you get into trouble.
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. Therefore, the middle of the day is the quietest time to visit Uluru with the fewest crowds. This is especially true during the summer when the temperature becomes unbearably hot.
Of course, seeing Uluru is the real reason people travel from far and wide, but there are 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 – A 10 km hiking trail around Uluru has become increasingly popular since climbing Uluru was prohibited. It takes 3 to 4 hours to complete and gives you a different perspective on the structure. The route has very little shade, 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. The area has some good hikes, including the Walpa Gorge Walk and the Valley of the Winds Walk.
Segway, Cycle, or Ride Around Uluru – There are many 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 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.
It is no longer possible to climb Uluru. The National Parks Board of Management permanently suspended 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.
There’s no accommodation or camping allowed within the Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park. Most visitors stay at the nearby Ayers Rock Resort, which includes 5 hotels, exclusive boutique camping, and a campground. A host of restaurants and amenities is also available here, including a supermarket. There are several other campgrounds in the vicinity of the resort as well.
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