How big is Uluru?

Uluru/ Ayers Rock in the Northern Territory is 348 metres above the surrounding desert plain. The perimeter of Uluru is 9.4km, which is easily tackled on the magnificent Uluru Base Walk.

Uluru – formerly known as Ayers Rock – is often declared to be the biggest monolith in the world. This is frankly nonsense, and not least because no-one has actually gone round the world measuring monoliths.

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.

Five hours from Alice Springs, Uluru is located in the heart of the outback. It was formed over the course of 550 million years. But it isn’t even the biggest monolith in Australia. That honour goes to the lesser-known and less spectacular-looking Mt Augustus in Western Australia. Even Mount Conner in the Red Centre is roughly the same size as Uluru.

Size of Uluru

Uluru is big, though – don’t you worry about that. It looks higher than it is, as the sides of the Red Centre’s major attraction are steep. Uluru’s elevation above the surrounding desert is just 348 metres, but it looks considerably more than that as the surrounding land is so flat.

It’s the prominence, rather than the height of Uluru, along with the range of colours it turns in the morning and evening light, that makes Uluru so striking.

But you can’t climb Uluru anyway, so height isn’t the dimension that matters. How big is Uluru in perimeter? That’s the key question if you’re interested in the size of Ayers Rock.

This once-in-a-lifetime dune-top dinner experience, with special stargazing session included, is our top Uluru recommendation.

Uluru perimeter length

The Northern Territory’s most famous big red rock is, very roughly, oval-shaped. Around the base of the monolith, the perimeter of Uluru is 9.4km. That’s walkable an a few hours, but if tackling the Uluru base walk, make sure you do so early in the day before it get insufferably hot. A lower energy alternative is taking an Uluru Segway tour from the Ayers Rock Resort.

It’s on this walk around the base of Uluru that you get a clear idea of why the big red rock in the middle of the gigantic Northern Territory has become one of the defining icons of Australia. It’s not the same as swimming in Sydney Harbour, watching a cricket match at the MCG or driving along the Great Ocean Road. But it doesn’t need to be. This great variety in available experiences is what makes Australia such an appealing tourist destination.

It’s possible to hire a car at Uluru if you can’t be bothered to faff with shuttle buses. And, if you really want to see the top of it, take an Uluru helicopter tour.

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 experiences

Can I take a scenic flight over Kings Canyon?

Can I do a camel ride at Uluru?

Where can I see public art in Darwin?

Where’s the best place for birdwatching in Kakadu National Park?

Can I swim with crocodiles in Darwin?