Most Asked Questions about Uluru

Find answers to the most-asked questions about Uluru. Learn about its history, cultural significance, activities, and tips for exploring this iconic destination.

Uluru is one of Australia’s most recognisable natural landmarks. A massive monolith in Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park in Australia’s Northern Territory, Uluru attracts thousands of visitors every year to stand in the shadows of its awe-inspiring size. And, as you might expect, those visitors have many questions. Luckily for them (and for you), we have the answers! Here are a few of the most common Uluru questions we hear at Ayers Rock Resort, as well as the information you need to satisfy your curiosity.

Where is Uluru?

Uluru is located in the South-western corner of the Northern Territory in an area known as Central Australia or the Red Centre. While it may be remote, that doesn’t mean it’s challenging to visit! Did you know that there’s an airport located only 25km from the iconic rock? Jetstar Airways, Qantas and Virgin Australia fly straight to Ayers Rock Airport from Sydney (3 hours 30 minutes), Melbourne (3 hours), Brisbane (3 hours 45 minutes) and Cairns (2 hours 30 minutes)

To get from the airport to Ayers Rock Resort, a complimentary coach meets all regular flights. The transfer takes approximately ten minutes and takes you from the airport direct to your hotel. There are no taxis or Uber, so taking the free hotel courtesy transfer or hiring a car are your best options for getting to and from the airport.

If you’d rather take the scenic route, fly into Alice Springs and hire a car to drive to Uluru. This is a fantastic way to see even more of the Red Centre. Alice Springs to Uluru is approximately a 4.5-hour drive along the Stuart and Lasseter Highways. Want to extend your road trip? Take the iconic Mereenie Loop Road through Kings Canyon and enjoy the many incredible sights along the way.

Alice Springs to Kings Canyon is 337km (unsealed for 197km of the journey), and driving time is approx. 4 hours. From Kings Canyon to Uluru, it is 306km on sealed roads (about a 3.5-hour drive). You can get more information about driving to Uluru — and additional amazing roadtrip itineraries — here.

How Big is Uluru?

Uluru is the world’s largest monolith, or, more accurately, an ‘inselberg’ — an isolated mountain or hill rising from a plain in a hot and dry region that formed approximately 500 million years ago. Made of arkose sandstone, Uluru rises 348 metres above the ground, reaches an incredible 6km below the ground, and has a circumference of 9.4 kilometres. At 348 meters tall, Uluru is higher than The Statue of Liberty (93m), taller than Paris’ Eiffel Tower (324m), and only 33m lower than the Empire State Building (381m). To the Australian Aboriginal people, Uluru is sacred. Archaeological research shows that Indigenous Australians have lived in this area for at least 30,000 years..

Can I climb Uluru?

As of 26 October 2019, you can no longer climb Uluru. There’s a very good reason for this. For Aṉangu (the area’s Indigenous people), Uluru is sacred ground - a place of deep and ancient significance. Those who chose to climb did so against the express wishes of Anangu. In addition, not only did climbers cause environmental degradation (there are no toilets up top, which impacts the all-important waterholes that local flora and fauna rely on), but it was also extremely steep and dangerous - with 38 lives tragically lost. Today the path of the climb (or ‘climb scar”) is associated with Sorry Business - the term used by Anangu in relation to grief or loss, caused by those who experienced misfortune during the climb.
 

Can I Touch Uluru?

While you can no longer climb Uluru, visitors are still allowed to touch Uluru while walking around the base of the monolith. That said, it’s important to remember that there are sacred sites along the base that Anangu ask visitors not to touch or photograph. Throughout your journey, it’s essential to respect the wishes of Anangu, the traditional custodians of the land.

Why Should I Visit Uluru?

You haven’t experienced Australia until you’ve visited this sacred Aboriginal site in the spiritual heart of the country. To truly appreciate its magnitude and beauty, Uluru has to be experienced up close and personal. Like Yellowstone, Pompeii, and the Grand Canyon, photographs simply fail to fully capture the essence of the place. It is a remarkable destination — one of the great natural wonders — and allows visitors to connect to Aboriginal culture and experience the authentic Aussie outback.

Where can I stay in Uluru?

Voyages Ayers Rock Resort is located only 20km from Uluru and 6km from the airport. The Resort provides a variety of accommodation options to suit all tastes and budgets. You can choose from the premium Sails in the Desert hotel, the modern Desert Gardens Hotel, the self-contained one and two-bedroom Emu Walk Apartments, and the funky Lost Camel Hotel. There’s also a large campground with powered and unpowered sites and cabins. In the Resort Town Square, you’ll find a collection of shops and cafes, a supermarket, bank and ATM, car hire, newsagency, hair salon, postal office, and a Tour & Information Centre.