Mutitjulu Waterhole, Uluru: Location, walk & photography
The Mutitjulu Waterhole offers a green, nature-filled perspective on Uluru in the Northern Territory. Access is via the Kuniya Walk from the Kuniya car park.
What is the Mutitjulu Waterhole?
The Mutitjulu Waterhole is a waterhole at Uluru, the big red monolith in the Northern Territory’s Red Centre. It is one of the few permanent water sources around Uluru, which means there are trees and plants here.
The Mutitjulu Waterhole gives a different perspective on Uluru and the desert environment. Come when it is raining, and you are likely to see waterfalls pouring down the rock face. There’s also a decent chance of seeing rock wallabies at the waterhole.
8 great Uluru experiences to book before you arrive
- 1. Understand Uluru’s caves, bulges, gullies and spiritual stories on a guided base walk.
- 2. Be awe-struck by the changing colours on a SUNRISE tour.
- 3. Eat great food on a dune top, and enjoy an expert-guided stargazing session during a once-in-a-lifetime desert dune-top dinner.
- 4. See an entirely different kind of dramatic outback scenery on Kings Canyon day trip.
- 5. Do a lap of Uluru by Segway.
- 6. See the big picture on an outback helicopter flight.
- 7. See Australia’s most spectacular light show – the Field of Light at sunrise.
- 8. Admire the colour-shifting giant rock domes on a Kata-tjuta sunset trip.
Where is the Mutitjulu Waterhole?
The Mutitjulu Waterhole is on the southern side of Uluru, and access is via the short Kuniya Walk from the Kuniya car park.
In traditional Anangu creation stories, the Mutitjulu Waterhole was where the woma python woman, Kuniya, fought the brown snake man, Liru. A brief version of this story is told on signs along the walk.
Kulpi Mutitjulu – also known as the Mutitjulu Cave – is on the Kuniya Walk, too. This is one of the best places at Uluru to see Aboriginal rock art.
Sort out your Red Centre transport now
When to visit the Mutitjulu Waterhole
The best time to visit the Mutitjulu waterhole is at sunrise or sunset when there are far fewer visitors. That’s because most people are at the sunrise or sunset viewing areas at this time.
However, the Mutitjulu Waterhole also tends to be fairly quiet around lunchtime. Ordinarily, visiting Uluru at lunchtime is a bad idea because of the heat, but there is plenty of shade at the Mutitjulu Waterhole.
This once-in-a-lifetime dune-top dinner experience, with special stargazing session included, is our top Uluru recommendation.
Lunchtime is also when the sun directly hits the waterhole, making it a more interesting proposition for photography.
To get more Aboriginal cultural insights at Uluru, try the Mala Walk, dot painting workshops and the Wintjiri Wiru drone show.
Which Uluru accommodation should I book?
Let’s not sugar-coat it: Accommodation at Uluru is expensive. Specialist Australian accommodation website Wotif lists Uluru accommodation for from $300. Check the top deals page to search through the options.
However, if you stay for three nights rather than two, hefty discounts tend to kick in.
The Uluru accommodation options are designed with different target markets in mind. Book which one fits you best.
- For the lowest prices: Ayers Rock Campground.
- For best quality: Sails in the Desert.
- For families and self-caterers: Emu Walk Apartments.
- For mid-range solidity: Desert Gardens.
More Northern Territory travel
How long is the Pine Creek to Darwin drive?
The best stops on a Mackay to Darwin road trip.
What’s the best way to get from the Ayers Rock Resort to Uluru?
How to find the best walking tours.
Take a Darwin Harbour brunch cruise aboard a 20 metre schooner.