For Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, Parks Australia suggests two full days. With Kings Canyon, Tourism NT speaks of 3 to 5 days. The full loop from Alice Springs takes 6 or 7 days. The time of year given by the park's official website is May to September.
How do you get to Uluru?
- By air: Ayers Rock airport (AYQ) is next to Yulara, about 30 minutes from the rock. It has direct flights from Sydney (about 3 h), Melbourne (2 h 40 min), Brisbane (3 h 15 min) and Cairns (2 h 50 min).
- By road: from Alice Springs it is 465 km and about 5.5 hours, according to Parks Australia. Tourism NT gives about 450 km and 5 hours.
- By train to Alice Springs: The Ghan links Adelaide with Alice Springs in 2 or 3 days, and Alice Springs with Darwin in 2 days, according to its operator. From Alice Springs there are still 465 km to Uluru.
Route distances
| Section | Figure | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Alice Springs to Uluru | 465 km, about 5.5 h | Parks Australia |
| Uluru to Kata Tjuta | 50 km | Parks Australia |
| Yulara to Curtin Springs | About 100 km | Parks Australia |
| Uluru to Kings Canyon | About 3 h (295 to 300 km) | Tourism NT |
| Alice Springs to Kings Canyon | About 4 h | Tourism NT |
| Red Centre Way, loop only | 1,135 km | Parks Australia |
| Red Centre Way with sightseeing, 6 days | 1,334 km | Tourism NT |
How many days does it usually take?
- The park only: two full days, with its official itineraries. One day for Uluru and another for Kata Tjuta. Tourism NT says most people stay 2 to 4 days.
- Uluru and Kings Canyon: Tourism NT publishes a 4-day driving itinerary, all on sealed roads.
- Red Centre Way: 6 days at least on the 4WD route, and a little more on sealed roads, according to Tourism NT. Tourism Australia cites 7 days.
- On to Darwin or Adelaide: Tourism NT publishes 14 days from the Red Centre to the north, and 17 from Adelaide to Darwin on the Explorers Way.
When to go
The park's official website says May to September, with highs of 20 to 30 °C. These are its averages for Yulara:
| Month | High | Low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 38.4 °C | 22.8 °C | 28.8 mm |
| April | 29.9 °C | 14.5 °C | 15.7 mm |
| July | 20.6 °C | 4.4 °C | 17.6 mm |
| October | 32.3 °C | 14.9 °C | 21.1 mm |
- Flowers: August and September are usually the months with the most flowers.
- Winter: nights can be very cold.
- Summer: from October to March it is usually over 35 °C, and can exceed 40 °C. There are also lots of flies. Storms fill the waterholes and create waterfalls on the rock.
What about the heat?
It is the biggest difference between seasons. Parks Australia says the following:
- In summer, do not walk after 11:00 am.
- Some walks close in the afternoon in summer, because of the risk of heatstroke.
- Carry and drink at least one litre of water per person per hour.
At Kings Canyon, Tourism NT puts the Rim Walk at about 3 or 4 hours and asks you to try to finish before 10:00 am. We could not confirm the closure rules for that park, because we could not check the Northern Territory Government website.
How much does it cost to enter? Can you climb Uluru?
The adult pass costs A$38 for 3 days and A$50 for one year. Under-18s go free. It is bought on the Parks Australia website or at the park entrance. Tourism NT adds that the 3-day pass can be extended by 2 days at no cost at the entrance. Prices seen on 5 November 2026.
Climbing Uluru has been banned since 2019. The base walk can be done.
| Walk | Distance | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Uluru Base Walk | 10.6 km | 3 h 30 min |
| Valley of the Winds, full circuit | 7.4 km | About 4 h |
| Kings Canyon Rim Walk | 6 km | 3 to 4 h |
Do you need a 4WD?
Not for the main sights. Tourism Australia says the road from Alice Springs to Uluru is sealed, and Tourism NT says the same of its 4-day route. You do need a 4WD on the Mereenie Loop, between the West MacDonnells and Kings Canyon. That section also needs a permit, collected at the Hermannsburg store.
The conditions for each rental car depend on the company: check them before you sign.
Driving in the outback
Tourism Australia warns of the following:
- Fuel: many stations open only from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm.
- Night: kangaroos are hard to see, so it asks you to avoid driving at night.
- Trucks: road trains pull three or four trailers. Overtake only with a lot of clear road.
- Breakdown: do not move away from the vehicle and wait for help. Emergencies: 000.
In the park, mobile coverage is patchy, especially at Kata Tjuta. Yulara has coverage from the three big networks.
Sources
All opened on 5 November 2026.
- Getting here, Parks Australia (official)
- Passes, Parks Australia (official)
- When to come, Parks Australia (official)
- Seasons, Parks Australia (official)
- Staying safe, Parks Australia (official)
- Two-day itinerary, Parks Australia (official)
- Uluru Base Walk, Parks Australia (official)
- Walks, Parks Australia (official)
- Nearby, Parks Australia (official)
- Phone and internet, Parks Australia (official)
- Uluru and surrounds, Tourism NT (official)
- Uluru, Tourism NT (official)
- Kings Canyon, Tourism NT (official)
- Red Centre Way in 6 days, Tourism NT (official)
- Uluru and Kings Canyon in 4 days, Tourism NT (official)
- Summer in the Red Centre, Tourism NT (official)
- Uluru and Kata Tjuta, Tourism Australia (official)
- Big road trips, Tourism Australia (official)
- Outback road trips, Tourism Australia (official)
- The Ghan, Journey Beyond (company)