There are four main options to explore the 11km Uluru Base Walk pathway, depending on your level of fitness and your budget. Exploring around the base of Uluru is a great way to experience Ayers Rock close up, and traverse through the diverse range of landscapes.
The journey around Uluru enables you to visit permanent waterholes, amazing views of sheer rock faces, view Aboriginal rock art, view (but but not photograph) sacred Anangu Aboriginal tribe sites and experience local birds, wildlife and vegetation including bush foods. And if you are visiting when it is raining you will also have the opportunity to see awesome waterfalls!
Be aware of the conditions and plan to avoid the worst heat of the sun, and also carry sufficient water for your planned activity. In hotter weather the walk may be closed early.
The four options to explore the walk around Uluru include:
- Driving around the base of Uluru and stopping to do two short walks – either DIY or on a guided tour
- Walking around the full 11 km / 7 mi base of Uluru – either DIY or on a guided tour
- Cycling the 11km / 7 mi Uluru walk, using either your own bike or a rental bicycle
- Doing a guided Segway tour around Uluru
Below we have detailed the options to help you plan which option will suit you best, and enable you to easily pre-book any tour options.
Also plan to stop in to visit the Uluru – Kata-Tjuta Cultural Centre which you will pass on the way to and from the Uluru Base walk. You will learn more about Anangu culture and the park’s environment. There is also a visitor information desk, Aboriginal art galleries, a cafe and a picnic area outside with great views of Uluru!
Join the Uluru Travel Planning Facebook Group!
You are welcome to join the Uluru Travel Planning Facebook Group – it is a great resource to enable you to ask questions about your upcoming trip to Uluru!
Disclaimer: This article contains affiliate links. If you book after clicking on one of these links then we may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Uluru Travel Planning Resources
Check out our other articles below to help you plan your visit to Uluru, Alice Springs and Kings Canyon
- Best Time to Visit Uluru and Alice Springs
- What to do in Uluru, Alice Springs and Kings Canyon
- How to get to Uluru
- How to rent a car in Uluru or Alice Springs
- How to rent a campervan in Alice Springs
- Half and full day tour options from Uluru
- Multi day tour options which start and finish in Uluru
- Multi day tour options which start and finish in Alice Springs
Uluru Base Drive
You can drive around the full base of Uluru, and there are locations where you can stop and park and do shorter walks to explore specific areas.
To drive around the full base of Uluru, starting and finishing at the Uluru-Kata Tjuta Cultural Centre is a journey of 19 km / 12 mi, which you can drive in 25 minutes without stopping. Check out the below short walk options as great options to explore along the way.
Mala Walk – 2km return, 1.5 hours
A great first place to visit is to do the 2 km / 1.2 mi return Mala Walk which is also wheelchair accessible, which you can access from the Mala Car Park which is located on the western side of Uluru. You can also do this walk as a self guided walk.
Free daily guided 1.5 hour walks are available at 8am (October to April) or 10am (May to September) where a ranger will guide visitors along the Mala walk which includes rock art and ends with a visit to Kantju Gorge – which is an vertical rock wall which becomes an amazing waterfall when it rains.
Kuniya and Mutitjulu Waterhole Walk – 1km, 45 min
Another amazing walk is the wheelchair accessible 1 km / 0.6 mi return Kuniya Walk to Mutitjulu Waterhole, which is a permanent water source. The Kuniya Walk can be accessed from the Kuniya Car Park which is located on the southern side of Uluru.
Kuniya Walk is a great experience to see local wildlife such as wallabies and birds and bush foods abound in the area. You can also explore the local rock art cave (not wheelchair accessible).
Uluru Base Driving Tours
Here are some of the most popular Uluru base driving tour and hop on hop off bus options to visit highlights around the base of Uluru.
| Uluru Base Walk Tours |
|---|
| Uluru Sacred Sites & Sunset Coach Tour by AATKings. Optional add on is the Aussie Barbeque under the Stars. Click here to check out and book this tour direct with AATKings |
| Uluru Hop On Hop Off Bus 1, 2 and 3 Day Passes, daily timetable typically includes sunrise, morning, midday, mid afternoon (not in summer) and sunset options with stops at Mutijulu Waterhole, Kuniya Piti, Mala Carpark and Cultural Centre Click here to check out and book directly with Uluru Hop On Hop Off Bus Tours |
Uluru Base Walk – 11km, 3.5 hours
If you are keen to do the 11 km / 7 mi walk Uluru Base Walk, you can do a self guided walk starting and finishing at either the Mala or Kuniya Car Parks and then do the full loop. Ensure you check the weather and stay safe, and carry enough water.
The recommended option is to start from the Mala Car Park and first do the free daily ranger guided walk to Kantju Gorge, and then keep on walking clockwise around Uluru. The full loop is wheelchair accessible in dry weather only.
Uluru Base Walk Tours
Here are some of the most popular tour and hop on hop off bus options to do the Uluru Base Walk.
| Uluru Base Walk Tours |
|---|
| Uluru Morning Guided Base Walk by AATKings Click here to check out and book this tour direct with AATKings |
| Uluru Guided Trek of Uluru Base in a Small Group 6 Hour Tour by SEIT Outback Australia Click here to check out and book this tour through Get Your Guide |
| Uluru Small Group Guided 5 Hour Tour with Sunset Refreshments by SEIT Outback Australia Click here to check out and book this tour through Get Your Guide |
| Uluru Hop On Hop Off Bus 1, 2 and 3 Day Passes, daily timetable typically includes sunrise, morning, midday, mid afternoon (not in summer) and sunset options with stops at Mutijulu Waterhole, Kuniya Piti, Mala Carpark and Cultural Centre Click here to check out and book directly with Uluru Hop On Hop Off Bus Tours |
Cycle Around the Base of Uluru – 11km, up to 3 hours
Another option to explore around the base of Uluru is to rent a bicycle (or use your own!). Bicycles are available for rent for three hours with helmets from the Uluru – Kata-Tjuta Cultural Centre. The route around Uluru is flat, so this is a great option to explore the Uluru Base at a much faster pace than walking.
Rental options from Uluru Bike Hire include adult bikes, child bikes, tagalong bikes and toddler bike seats. There is also an option to include return transfers from Yulara with your bicycle hire booking.
| Uluru Bicycle Hire Options |
|---|
| Uluru Base Bicycle Ride (3 hours) (no transfers) Click here to check out and book this activity with Outback Cycling |
| Uluru Base Bicycle Ride (3 hours) with Ayers Rock Resort Transfers Click here to check out and book this activity with Outback Cycling |
Uluru Segway Tours, 11km, 2.5 hours
Another fun option to explore around the base of Uluru is to do a guided Segway tour. A Segway is a great option to zoom quietly around the base of Uluru, and earn and see the sights along the way. Your tour starts and finishes at the Kuniya Car Park, and you receive training in how to operate your Segway before you commence your tour.
There is also an option to include return transfers from Yulara with your Segway tour booking. This tour is suitable for children from ages 12 years and older. Note that other restrictions may apply, check after you click through below and before you make your booking.
| Other Uluru Tours |
|---|
| Uluru Base Segway 2.5 Hour Tour (no transfers) Click here to check out and book this tour through Get Your Guide |
| Uluru Base Segway 2.5 Hour Tour with Ayers Rock Resort Transfers Click here to check out and book this tour through Get Your Guide |
| Uluru Sunset Guided Segway Quarter Base Small Group 5 Hour Tour with Evening Nibbles Click here to check out and book this tour through Get Your Guide |
Join the Uluru Travel Planning Facebook Group!
You are welcome to join the Uluru Travel Planning Facebook Group – it is a great resource to enable you to ask questions about your upcoming trip to Uluru!
Disclaimer: This article contains affiliate links. If you book after clicking on one of these links then we may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Anne Sutherland-Smith is the creative force behind Pretraveller.com, a travel blog that specializes in offering insightful guidance for exploring Japan, South Korea, Australia, Hong Kong, and Singapore. Her passion for these diverse and dynamic regions shines through in her expert advice, particularly in helping travellers stay connected with the latest in SIM cards, pocket WiFi, and eSIMs.
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