Australia’s red centre in 5 days | Uluru itinerary
Uluṟu is one of Australia’s most iconic landmarks - no number of photos and videos could do it justice.
As you fly over the vast, red desert and step onto the sunburnt earth, you’ll find yourself transported into a landscape that feels worlds away from Australia’s bustling cities. Dominating the landscape is Uluru, the awe-inspiring monolith, accompanied by the striking rock formations of Kata Tjuta (The Olgas).
The stunning Uluru during golden hour (sunset).
If you’re planning a short trip to Uluru, I’ve put together a 5 day itinerary with Uluru travel tips and accommodation options to help you experience the best of Australia’s red centre. For those with a little extra time, consider extending your trip to explore Kings Canyon and the scneic gorges and waterfalls on the way to Alice Springs.
Itinerary Overview
Withness stunning sunrises and sunsets over Uluru and Kata Tjuta
Embark on scenic day hikes through valleys and canyons (best hikes in Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, Kings Canyon Rim Walk)
Learn about the cultural significance of Uluru and support local Anangu communities
Optional: Add on 1-2 days to explore the waterfalls and gorges on the way from Kings Canyon to Alice Springs
Getting to Uluru - flight & transport options
Flights: Fly directly to Ayers Rock (Uluru) Airport with Qantas, Virgin or Jetstar (around 3.5 hours from Australia’s east coast, 3 hours from the west coast).
Alternative Route: Fly into Alice Springs and take a scenic 5.5 hour drive to Uluru, with stops along the way including a series of waterfalls and gorges.
Transport: Rent a car for flexibility or join guided tours, both available from Ayers Rock Resort.
We chose to fly to Ayers Rock Airport as we only had 5 days and didn’t want to lose 2 days to driving, and hired a car so we had the freedom and flexibility to set our own schedule.
Transport for getting around Uluru - self guided & tours
From Ayers Rock Airport: You can either choose to rent a car for the duration of your stay or catch the shuttle bus from the airport to the Ayers Rock Resort area (fun fact: there’s only one resort!)
Getting to viewing points and hikes: Whether you choose to rent a car or join tours to get around is up to you – all tours from Ayers Rock Resort include hotel pick up for the different activities including sunrise and sunset tours, guided bicycle and segway tours around Uluru, fine dining experiences and the Field of Light (more on this later).
Kata Tjuta (The Olgas) at sunset - also just as beautiful.
Accommodation at Ayers Rock Resort
Ayers Rock Resort offers a range of accommodation:
Ayers Rock Campground - from $40/night
Outback Hotel & Lodge (3.5 star) - from $350/night (hotel), $38/night (hostel)
The Lost Camel Hotel (3.5 star) - from $330/night (sleeps 2)
Emu Walk Apartments (4 star) - from $500/night (sleeps 4)
Desert Garden Hotel (4.5 star) - from $420/night (sleeps 4)
Sails in the Desert (5 star) - from $475/night (sleeps 4)
All accommodation options are connected by walking paths as well as a complimentary resort shuttle bus.
By the time we booked, the serviced apartments and budget hotels had been booked out for our dates, so we chose to stay at the Desert Gardens Hotel in a room that faced the giant monolith rock – and that was worth it for the experience of being able to wake up and see it in all its beauty, and watch how the light on it would change over the day.
Food and restaurants options
From signature dining experiences like the Sounds of Silence, to restaurants and casual eateries, there are plenty of options to suit every budget.
We went a range of different bars and restaurants, our favourite being the Outback BBQ and Kiosk where you can have classic pizzas or burgers whilst listening to live music, or use one of the provided bbqs to prepare a steak to your liking.
We also bought some tuna biscuit snacks and instant noodles over from Sydney and supplemented this with groceries from the local IGA supermarket for some meals on the go.
Stunning views from Kings Canyon Rim Walk hike.
5 day Uluru Itinerary - Australia Red Centre Travel Guide
This 5 day Uluru itinerary can be extended by 2 days if you’re flying in/out of Alice Springs Airport to include driving time, and a few stops along the way to the gorges and waterfalls near Kings Canyon.
While joining tours is a great option, we found there was more freedom to set our own schedule with driving.
Day 1: Arrival and Uluru sunset
Fly into Ayers Rock Airport, collect your rental car or take the resort shuttle bus to Ayers Rock Resort.
Check into your accommodation and explore the resort.
Head to the Uluru sunset viewing area for your first glimpse of the rock glowing under the fading sunlight. Return to the resort for dinner and a good night’s sleep.
Day 2: Uluru sunrise and Base Walk, Kata Tjuṯa sunset
Wake early to catch the sunrise at the Uluru viewing point (different to the sunset view point!)
Walk or bike around the Uluru Base Circuit Walk (10.6km if you do the whole way around) to see the rock from every angle.
Relax at the resort, then head out to Kata Tjuṯa for a different sunset viewing experience.
Optional: Book the Field of Light experience - a magical art installation illuminating the desert.
I would highly recommend booking in advance for Field of Light as it is very likely to sell out. We we super lucky to get 2 spots for the Field of Light on the day as other people cancelled - and I think this was worth it as I really enjoyed viewing the light installations and marvelling at all the colours.
The Field of Light - this barely begins to capture how cool it was to wander through an expansive, well, field of light.
Day 3: Kata Tjuta sunrise and Valley of the Winds hike
Drive out to Kata Tjuṯa (also known as The Olgas) for sunrise.
Embark on the 7.4km Valley of the Winds hike (my personal favourite!) for a stunning hike through a peaceful landscape and sweeping views.
Return to the resort for a relaxing evening.
The Valley of the Winds was my favourite hike of the three we did on this trip - would recommending stopping at the highest viewpoint next to the valley for a lunch break and listen to the wind whisper through the trees.
Day 4: Kings Canyon Rim Walk
Start early for the 3.5 hour drive to Kings Canyon.
Choose between the easy 2.6km walk or a more challenging 6km Rim Walk
Enjoy a meal at the local pub before the return journey.
The reason why this walk is a whole day in itself is because it takes 3.5 hrs to drive there one way from Uluru - the drive itself is uneventful (one left turn once you leave the Ayers Rock Resort area) and as we learnt, only one toilet stop on the way.
The walk itself is magnificent - after the ascent up a series of stairs and rocks on the side of the 300m high canyon, you’re rewarded with beautiful views of the surrounding landscape and a moderate walk along the rim around to the other side, where you would begin your descent.
Day 5: Depart or Extend Adventure
If you only have 5 days, your trip to Australia’s Red Centre ends here! Fly out of Ayers Rock Airport.
If extending, spend the night at Kings Canyon, then drive towards Alice Springs, stopping at stunning gorges and waterfalls along the way.
You can also choose to extend your trip by heading north up towards Darwin and seeing more of the beautiful Northern Territory, or south down to the South Australia/Adelaide region as well for a longer, Australia red centre road trip.
Best time to visit Uluru
The best time to visit Uluru is during autumn (April - May) and spring (September - October). During these months, temperatues range between 20-30°C (68–86°F), making hikes and outdoor activities more enjoyable.
Keep in mind:
☀️Summer (December - February): While you can still visit, temperatures often soar past 40°C (104°F) during the middle of the day, with some hiking trails closed for safety once it gets too hot.
❄️Winter (June - August): While daytime temperatures are pleasant for exploring, mornings and evenings can be surprisingly cold, pack some layers as it can drop to 0°C (32°F)!
We went in May and brought thermals and a jacket for early mornings, but shed the layers for just shirt and pants (protect yourself from mosquitos) during the day for our hikes.
Final thoughts
Whether you prefer the freedom of a road trip or the ease of guided tours from Ayers Rock Resort, Uluru and its surrounding landscapes offer a once in a lifetime experience.
Witnessing the ever-changing colours of the rock at sunrise and sunset, hiking through ancient valleys and learning about the area’s cultural significance will make this adventure in Australia’s iconic red centre unforgettable.
As Australians sometimes we forget we have some of the most breathtaking landscapes in our backyard - definitely a must for both Aussies and non-Aussies alike!
Looking for more adventures or destinations in Australia? I’ve put together more travel guides and itineraries here: Australia Travel
