Uluṟu

Uluṟu is a 348-metre sandstone monolith rising from the red plains of Central Australia. It is about 9.4 kilometres around, so it is a place to spend time with, not a summit to bag. Climbing has been permanently closed since 2019; explore the rock from its base walks and designated viewing areas. If the weather is manageable, allow about three and a half hours for the full circuit.

The Uluṟu base walk is a 10.6-kilometre loop, graded 3. Start at Mala Carpark early and, facing the rock, go clockwise. You can also choose a section instead of committing to the whole route. The surroundings change as you go: some stretches are green and sheltered, others feel open and have little shade.

For a shorter visit, the Mala Walk is a good first choice: 2 kilometres return and about an hour and a half. It follows the path from Mala Carpark to Kaṉtju Gorge, past caves where the Mala people camped and prepared food, along with rock art. The gorge has benches beside a waterhole, and water and toilets are listed for the walk.

For Aṉangu, Uluṟu is inseparable from Tjukurpa, the traditional law and culture. Creation-ancestor stories remain visible in the landscape, and caves along the walk hold rock art. Stay on marked paths and follow restricted-area signs; do not climb onto the rock or boulders. The climb closed permanently in 2019, reflecting Aṉangu's long-standing wishes.

The base route passes acacia woodland and grassed claypans, with bloodwoods, native grasses, waterways and waterholes. It is a more varied walk than the single great wall you see from a distance: some sections feel surprisingly green, while others open onto exposed country. The sandstone itself is about half a billion years old.

The designated car and bus sunset viewing areas and Talinguṟu Nyakunytjaku are the places for a wide view of the whole monolith. Sunrise and sunset light bring out changes in its colour. Photography is restricted in marked cultural areas; for the north-east face, the park asks for wide shots from a distance and asks visitors to leave the details on its upper-left side out of frame.

Some parts of the base route have little shade, and hot summer afternoons can bring track closures. On hot days, walk in the cool morning and finish before 11 a.m.; check the current route status before setting out. The full loop is a real commitment in exposed conditions, so a single section can be the better call when it is very hot.