The Red Centre (Uluru-Kata Tjuta)

What It Is and Where

Title to the park was handed back to the Anangu on 26 October 1985, and they lease it to the Australian Government, which manages it jointly with them. It was listed as a World Heritage Site in 1987, and again in 1994 for its cultural values. Climbing Uluru has been banned since October 2019, in line with the wishes of its owners.

What You Do There

• Walk the base of Uluru, about 10 kilometers, or shorter sections with a guide
• Walk the Valley of the Winds or Walpa Gorge at Kata Tjuta
• Watch sunrise and sunset light change the color of both
• Join an Anangu-led walk to learn about Tjukurpa, the law and stories tied to the land
• Look up: the night skies here are exceptional

Best Time to Go

May to September is the best time, with daytime highs usually between 20 and 30°C. Nights can be very cold, and July averages a low of about 4°C. August and September are usually best for wildflowers. From October to March, daytime highs regularly pass 35°C, and the park advises against walking after 11 am in summer. Summer storms can also send waterfalls down Uluru, which is something few people see.

Getting There and How Long to Stay

Fly into Ayers Rock (Connellan) Airport at Yulara, just outside the park, with direct flights from several Australian cities. Two or three nights is enough to see both Uluru and Kata Tjuta at different times of day without rushing.

Where We Like to Stay

Longitude 131 has tents that all face Uluru, with guided outings, meals and drinks included. It is the most comfortable way to see the Red Centre without handling the logistics yourself.

For how the desert fits with the reef and the rest of the country, see Australia: Reefs, Red Desert, and Otherworldly Wilderness and Why Australia Is Worth the Flight.