Uluru scenic flights: Are there any Ayers Rock helicopter tours?

Uluru scenic flights are available from Professional Helicopter Services and Ayers Rock Scenic Flights. Longer Red Centre helicopter tours taking in Kata-Tjuta, Mr Conner and Kings Canyon are also on offer.

Now that the Uluru climbing ban is in force, the only way to see the top of Australia’s famous big red rock is from the air. Luckily, for visitors to the Northern Territory’s Red Centre, there are several Uluru scenic flights on offer. None of these Uluru helicopter tours fly directly over the top of Uluru – that’s prohibited. But you can see the top of Uluru from an angle.

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.

Uluru helicopter tours: Prices and duration

Ayers Rock Scenic Flights runs a series of different Red Centre tours, using both planes and helicopters. The Ayers Rock helicopter tours are slightly more expensive, but you get more window space.

The basic flight over Uluru and surrounds takes 15 to 20 minutes, and costs $120 in a plane or $150 in a helicopter. That allows you to see Uluru and the Ayers Rock Resort from above and not an awful lot else.

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

Uluru scenic flights including Kata Tjuta

Other Uluru scenic flight options take in more of the Red Centre. The company’s most popular tour, for example, also flies over Kata Tjuta.

Prices for these 30 to 40 minute Uluru scenic flights start at $265, although it gets more expensive if you want to book onto the sunrise or sunset flight.

Red Centre scenic flights

There are other, longer and more expensive flights that take in more highlights of the Red Centre. These include the salt pans of Lake Amadeus, the largely inaccessible Mt Conner and Kings Canyon in the George Gill Range. Bear in mind, however, that much cheaper flights over Kings Canyon are available near Watarrka National Park.

Ayers Rock helicopter tours

Ayers Rock Scenic Flights doesn’t have a monopoly on Uluru helicopter tours, however. Professional Helicopter Services also offers an array of Red Centre flights. The basic 15 minute Uluru scenic flight costs $160, but longer options are available too. Arguably the best bet is the 55 minute Ayers Rock helicopter tour which also takes in Kata Tjuta and Lake Amadeus. This tour costs $535.

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 things to do in the Northern Territory

Take a self-guided tour of public art in Darwin.

Tackle Cahills Crossing in Kakadu National Park.

Drive from Alice Springs to Uluru.

Fly to Sweets Lagoon in a floatplane.

Walk the Jatbula Trail in Nitmiluk National Park.