Things to do in Uluru (Ayers Rock)

Uluru, or Ayers Rock as it commonly known, is one of Australia’s most iconic natural monuments dating back thousands of years. It boasts a rich Aboriginal history as well as stunning surrounding scenery. One of the best ways to experience everything it has to offer is to visit during the sunrise or the sunset.

This is almost a rite of passage for anyone venturing to Uluru and the surrounding Red Centre landscape. Set outside of Darwin, it is the perfect day trip from the city, giving you the chance to discover the incredible natural beauty that Australia as to offer.

By day, Uluru is a glowing orange beacon amongst the desert scenery, but at dusk and dawn it turns into a work of art that goes through a breath-taking performance of colour changing and light dancing.

In the mornings, the monument turns from a dusky grey to pink, to the vibrant orange that it remains for the rest of the day. At night, when the sun begins to drop below the horizon, it makes the change back from orange to grey. Visiting Uluru at sunrise or sunset really is the best way to experience the world-famous landmark.

Where to Watch the Sunrise or Sunset

Finding a spot to watch the sunrise or sunset from is easy, as there are plenty of places to settle down for the show. The most popular place is Talinguru Nyakunytjaku, which offers 360-degree views around the surrounding landscape. This means you can take in the impressive rock formation of Kata Tjuta as well as Uluru.

There are three shelters here as well as two more exposed viewing platforms and a walking track so you can find a bit of peace and quiet while watching the show.

  • Watch from the Car

    If you drive to Uluru yourself, you can pull up in the car park and watch the sunrise or sunset from behind the wheel.

  • Watch from the Sand Dunes

    Nearby Kata Tjuta offers incredible views of its neighbour as the sun rises or sets. The Kata Tjuta Dune Viewing platform is one of the more popular spots to watch from, as it immerses you in the landscape and provides 360-degree views. From here, you can watch the colours of the surrounding scenery change, with Uluru silhouetted on the horizon ahead.

Uluru really is a magical place thanks to its fascinating heritage and beautiful scenery. Experiencing it at sunrise or sunsets is one of the best ways to get to know this magnificent monument.

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