How to Plan A Trip to Uluru: 15 Top Tips for First-Time Visitors

This blog post is all about how to plan a trip to Uluru.

A visit to Uluru and Australia’s Red Centre is one of the most unforgettable travel experiences you can have.

The remote landscape, rich Indigenous culture, and dramatic outback scenery are unlike anywhere else on Earth.

But because the region is vast, remote, and not as easily navigated as other parts of Australia, it pays to plan ahead.

Whether you’re dreaming of watching the sunrise over Uluru, hiking through Kings Canyon, or sleeping under the stars in a swag, here are the top tips for how to plan a trip to Uluru and the Red Centre. Including why a tour with Mulgas Adventures is one of the best ways to experience it all.

If you want to plan a trip to Uluru with Mulgas Adventures, make sure to use my code ‘ORLAGH25’ for $25 off any Mulgas Adventures tour!

RELATED How to Plan A Trip to Uluru blog posts to read:

If you are planning a trip to Uluru and the Red Centre, make sure to check out my Uluru travel vlog on YouTube that documents are entire experience on the Uluru to Darwin tour with Mulgas Adventures:

This blog post is all about how to plan a trip to Uluru.

15 Tips to Help You Plan A Trip to Uluru

Below are my top tips if you want to plan a trip to Uluru and have no idea where to start.

1. Decide How You Want to Explore: Self-Drive or Join a Tour

One of the first things to consider when you want to plan a trip to Uluru is whether you want to self-drive or join an organised tour.

Driving in the Red Centre gives you flexibility, but also comes with challenges: long distances, expensive car hire, and remote roads that aren’t always sealed.

If you’d rather leave the logistics to someone else, joining a multi-day camping tour is an excellent option, and that’s where Mulgas Adventures comes in.

Their tours are geared towards budget-conscious travellers, backpackers, and solo adventurers looking for an authentic outback experience.

You’ll be able to sit back, relax, and let your guide take care of everything. From driving to your hikes, sunrise and sunset viewpoints, to sharing stories of the local land.

I’m so glad I did the 7-day Uluru to Darwin tour with Mulgas Adventures as it was the best travel experience I’ve had in Australia so far and will be hard to beat!

If you want to plan a trip to Uluru with Mulgas Adventures, make sure to use my code ‘ORLAGH25’ for $25 off any Mulgas Adventures tour!

2. Choose the Right Tour Length for You

Mulgas Adventures offers a few different Uluru tour options, and choosing the right one depends on how much time you have:

1. 4-Day Rock to Rock Tour

This is perfect if you’re short on time but still want to see all the Red Centre highlights. Over four days, you’ll visit:

Uluru (sunset and sunrise)
Kata Tjuta (The Olgas)
Kings Canyon
Curtin Springs and other outback stops

It includes swag camping, meals, hikes, and expert guides.

Read my full review of the Rock to Rock tour with Mulgas Adventures here.

2. 7-Day Uluru to Darwin Tour

If you’re heading north, this extended tour adds on stops at:

Devils Marbles (Karlu Karlu)
Tennant Creek
Mataranka Hot Springs
Katherine Gorge
And ends in Darwin

You still get the full Red Centre experience, but with the bonus of seeing more of the Northern Territory’s wild interior.

Read my full review of the Uluru to Darwin tour with Mulgas Adventures here.

3. Book Flights in Advance

To access the Red Centre, your best option is flying into either Alice Springs or Ayers Rock (Uluru) airport.

Flights can be limited and pricey, so it’s best to:

Book in advance, especially in high season (May–September)
Fly into Alice Springs if you’re doing a tour that starts there
Fly into Uluru if you plan to explore the resort area or have arranged pick up for tour starting from there

Keep in mind that Alice Springs to Uluru is about a 5–6 hour drive.

4. Pack for All Weather Conditions

Even in the desert, the weather can vary greatly. Days can be hot, but nights (especially in winter) can get cold.

Here’s what you’ll want to bring when you plan a trip to Uluru:

Warm clothes for the evenings (layers are key)
Light clothing for daytime hikes
Sunscreen, hat, sunglasses, and fly net (this was a God-send)
Reusable water bottle (hydration is critical in the Outback)
Sturdy walking shoes or hiking boots
A good head torch if you’re swag camping

If you’re on a Mulgas tour, swags are provided, and you can hire a sleeping bag if needed.

You can see my full packing list for Uluru here, listing every thing that you’ll need and anything that I forgot to pack myself.

5. Respect the Land and Culture

Uluru is a deeply sacred site to the Anangu people, the Traditional Custodians of the land.

When you plan a trip to Uluru, be mindful and respectful of cultural protocols:

Climbing Uluru is now prohibited, and rightly so
Stick to marked trails and respect signage
Visit the Cultural Centre near Uluru to learn about Indigenous stories and traditions
Listen to your guide. They’ll share Dreamtime stories and explain the cultural importance of different rock formations

6. Don’t Underestimate the Distances

Australia’s Outback is vast. Even driving between Uluru and Kings Canyon takes over 3 hours.

That’s why tours like those run by Mulgas Adventures are so convenient. They take care of the long drives while you enjoy the scenery.

Plus, your guide knows where to stop for fuel, toilets, and special Outback photo ops along the way.

7. Book Your Tour Early

Mulgas Adventures tours are extremely popular, especially during the dry season (April to October). It’s best to book your spot early to secure your preferred dates when you plan a trip to Uluru.

They also have great reviews for their local guides (Rachel, Jase and Liv were incredible!), small group sizes, and ethical camping approach.

Booking a tour also saves you the hassle of arranging permits, national park fees, or figuring out meal logistics in remote areas.

If you want to plan a trip to Uluru with Mulgas Adventures, make sure to use my code ‘ORLAGH25’ for $25 off any Mulgas Adventures tour!

8. Be Ready to Disconnect

Phone signal and internet access are extremely limited once you leave Alice Springs or the Uluru resort area.

If you’re on a camping tour, you’ll be offline for a few days, and that’s part of the magic.

Bring a camera or GoPro, journal, or book, and take the chance to connect with the landscape (and the people around the campfire).

9. Add an Extra Day Before or After the Tour

If your Uluru tour starts early in the morning or ends late in the day, consider staying a night in Alice Springs before and after.

There are plenty of budget-friendly hostels and hotels available.

It also gives you time to explore some of the town’s local art galleries and Aboriginal cultural centres before heading back to the big cities.

How to Plan a Trip to Uluru: The Trip of a Lifetime

A trip to Uluru and the Red Centre is truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

The landscapes are breathtaking, the stories are ancient, and the connection you’ll feel to the land is hard to put into words.

Whether you choose the 4-day Rock to Rock or the 7-day Uluru to Darwin tour with Mulgas Adventures, you’ll walk away with more than just incredible photos.

You’ll leave with memories, friendships, and a new appreciation for Australia’s Outback.

If you want to plan a trip to Uluru with Mulgas Adventures, make sure to use my code ‘ORLAGH25’ for $25 off any Mulgas Adventures tour!

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By Orlagh Shanks

Orlagh Shanks is the founder of Orlagh Claire, an award-winning travel and lifestyle blog.
After working in the PR & Influencer Marketing industry, Orlagh quit her job to travel Asia for 12 months and move to Sydney, Australia where she is now a full-time travel blogger and content creator sharing travel tips and recommendations for all 30 of the countries she’s visited so far.

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This blog post is all about how to plan a trip to Uluru.

15 Tips to Help You Plan A Trip to Uluru

1. Decide How You Want to Explore: Self-Drive or Join a Tour