6 Reasons to Make Your Visit to Uluṟu a Road Trip

We Are Explorers acknowledges that this adventure is located on the traditional Country of Anangu who have occupied and cared for the lands, waters, and their inhabitants for thousands of years. We pay our respects to them as the Traditional Custodians and recognise that sovereignty was never ceded.

The Aussie Outback is famous for its vast, almost Mars-like natural landscape and radiant red dirt, and is best explored from behind the wheel of your own car. From precious Indigenous sites to jaw-dropping sunsets, there’s only one way to fit it all in and that’s on a self-driving adventure with mates! Here’s why I think you should drive across the country to visit Uluṟu.

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1. The Freedom of the Open Road

The road trip from Sydney to Uluṟu (or anywhere to Uluṟu, let’s be real) is a whopper, but that’s what makes it an adventure!

The 30-hour drive from Sydney gave us the chance to explore the rural towns of country NSW, make our way up through South Australia’s vast middle, and finally cross the border into the unique Northern Territory.

Driving our own car meant we got to experience the freedom of the open road (and trust me, the road and plains it cuts through stretch far and wide to the horizon). We could explore the map on our own terms, take detours, and set our own schedule. Trust me, once you start travelling at your own pace, you’ll never go back!

So turn up the road trip playlist, roll down the windows, and get that outback air streaming through the car. The road trip to Uluṟu is a journey of a lifetime.

2. Load Up With Gear

One of the greatest advantages I found of self-driving to Uluṟu was that I could bring all the gear I wanted and needed. There was no trying to squeeze everything into a tiny carry-on bag to fit on the plane. 

Bringing my own car meant I had the space to pack all the safety gear we needed, all the food we wanted, and of course the most comfy camping gear for our nights at Ayers Rock Campground (from just $40 a night!). 

Of course, it’s a holiday after all, so if you’d still rather treat yourself, there’s a range of accommodation options depending on your budget and the experience you’d like during your stay. On the higher end, there are hotels like five-star Sails in the Desert, through to the warm and welcoming Outback Hotel. 

No matter where you rest your head in Yulara (the town that services visitors to Uluṟu), everywhere is within walking distance, including bars, restaurants, cafes, shops, swimming pools. There’s a free shuttle around town, as well as free guest activities including bush yarns, bush foods, and didgeridoo-listening experiences. Best of all, it’s just a ten-minute drive to the entry of the national park. 

3. You Can Revisit Your Favourite Spots

If there’s one thing you simply can not miss in Uluṟu-Kata Tjuṯa National Park it’s sunset on the rock, and having our own car meant we could watch it again and again, night after night – you seriously can’t grow weary of watching the sun go down here!

The monolith illuminated bright red by the fading light is one of the most spectacular sights to see in Australia, and ticking this off the list has been a dream of mine since I was a kid.

We packed the car with enough for a cheeseboard with all the trimmings and headed out to the Uluṟu Sunset Viewing Area, the perfect position to take it all in. Each and every sunset here is one to remember, so don’t forget to bring your camera and prepare to capture the magic.

Read more: Remember to leave no trace

Tourism NT/The Salty Travellers

4. You Can Linger as Long as You Want

My favourite part of exploring Uluṟu-Kata Tjuṯa National Park was Walpa Gorge at Kata Tjuṯa, the lesser-known but no less spectacular rock formation in the park consisting of 36 individual rock domes. It’s a 45-minute drive from Ayers Rock Resort, so it pays to have your own car, especially if, like me, you want to be able to stay and soak it in Walpa Gorge for as long as possible. Thanks to my handy set of wheels, there was no need to rush away from the natural beauty and tranquillity this gorge provided.

There are multiple walks to choose from in the park, but Walpa Gorge is one of the most breathtaking. An impressive natural refuge from the desert surroundings, Walpa Gorge is a highly significant cultural site for Aṉangu.

The 2.6km return walk delivers you right to the end of the gorge, where the two walls narrow in and encapsulate you in the most beautiful way. With a mix of bridges, tracks, and rocky trails, it’s rated at a moderate difficulty level, just don’t forget to bring plenty of water.

I skipped my way over small winding streams (where wild camels are sometimes spotted drinking) and granted myself a few hours to take in this naturally formed oasis, at my own pace.

5. It’s Just You and Your Crew

Whether you make the road trip to Uluṟu with family or friends, having your own transport means you get to spend this whole special time with the most important people (ya know, without making small talk with randoms on the tour bus).

And what better way to lap up your time together than with a group circumnavigation of Uluṟu on bikes? The flat and wide loop track around the base spans 10km and is an easy, approachable mix of sand and mixed rock surface. Almost everyone can do it and it’s super family friendly. If you haven’t strapped your own bikes to the back of the car, you can hire some from Outback Cycling.

Read more: 5 Ways to Experience Uluṟu (Without Walking on It)

Witnessing this iconic landmark under our own steam meant we could get up close and personal with the rock and spend ample time at cultural and learning sites. One of my top pit stops was Muṯitjulu Waterhole on the eastern side, an essential source of water for flora and fauna. You may be part of the lucky 1% of visitors who get to see waterfalls on the rock!

6. More Money for the Finer Things in Life

Sure a 2,800km road trip doesn’t come cheap, but once you calculate how much you’re saving on airfares, hotels, gear hire, and tour bookings, you’ve likely got a bit of extra spending money up your sleeve. And I’ve got a few suggestions of where you could splash the cash around Uluṟu.

Sunrise Journeys

First light at Uluṟu is worth getting up early for. Every. Single. Time.

I promise you, if you set your alarm and book into Sunrise Journeys, you won’t regret it. 

This stunning light show spectacularly displays awe-inspiring modern Indigenous storytelling whilst immersing you in the captivating landscape. Curated and designed by renowned artists including three prolific Aṉangu painters as well as Mandylights – best known for Vivid Sydney, Sunrise Journeys is a show of colour, light, narrative, and tranquility. This experience includes a delicious breakfast and hot drink so you can snuggle in while morning sun breaks the night. 

Field of Light

Come sunset this magical installation illuminates the landscape with 50,000 spheres of colour. In the Pitjantjatjara language, the art piece is referred to as ‘Tili Wiru Tjuṯa Nyakunytjaku’ which translates to ‘looking at lots of beautiful lights’.  

Created by light artist Bruce Munro, this is one of his largest pieces to date. There are plenty of ways to enjoy it – from a simple walk-through at your own pace right through to a four-hour dinner experience. Book your tour before you go, and take your camera for some epic long-exposure shots! This is a photographer’s dream. 

Sounds of Silence Dining Experience

If you’re craving something really special (and delicious) the Sounds of Silence Dining Experience is a once-in-a-lifetime evening amongst the dunes. Combining the stunning view of Uluṟu with the sounds and flavours of the Outback, this dinner was the perfect way to put a bow on our trip. Set up on the red desert sand, we were treated to outback-style canapes and a three-course meal inspired by native Australian cuisine. 

This experience engages all your senses with the sounds of a didgeridoo performance and a star tour of the clear night sky (a must-see when you’re away from the big city lights – the clarity is simply incredible). 

Growing up, a road trip to Uluṟu was something I dreamed of, and it exceeded my expectations. It was spectacular to make memories as a photographer with my mates and to feel inextricably connected to the land and ancient stories of the Uluṟu-Kata Tjuṯa National Park. It felt ancient, spiritual, and adventurous in a way I’ll never forget. I actually felt sad having to vacuum the red sand out of the car afterwards, something I never thought I’d say!

I cannot recommend enough making a whole road trip out of your visit to Uluṟu. Having your own car means you get to explore the extraordinary Red Centre in a way that makes sense to you. This is one trip I’m proud to tick off the bucket list!

Photos by @belly_bellia and @ainraadik