Where is Uluru located?

Uluru is located in the Red Centre of Australia’s Northern Territory. But Uluru is closer to the Western Australian border than it is to Alice Springs.

Uluru is one of the most famous landmarks in Australia. The big red rock formerly known as Ayers Rock is an icon of the outback, and generally understood to be in the middle of Australia. But few people could point to where exactly Uluru is located on a map of Australia. It’s sometimes difficult to comprehend just how remote Uluru is.

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

Where is Uluru located in Australia?

Uluru is located in the Northern Territory of Australia, within Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park. It is in the Northern Territory’s Red Centre, and quite close to the border with South Australia. What many people don’t realise is how far west Uluru is.

The inselberg formerly known as Ayers Rock is much closer to the Western Australian border than the Queensland border. Although we’re talking close in Australian outback terms, here. The drive from Uluru to the Western Australian border is around 218km long.

How far is Uluru from Alice Springs?

What does perhaps come as a surprise is how far away Uluru is from Alice Springs, the only town of any size in the Red Centre. Alice Springs is often thought of as the hub for Uluru, but it is 468km away. The Alice Springs to Uluru drive takes the best part of five hours.

Uluru’s location is also remarkably far away from the Stuart Highway. The nearest Stuart Highway roadhouse is the Erldunda Roadhouse at the junction of the Lasseter Highway. The distance from the Erldunda Roadhouse to Uluru is 268km – with a driving time of around two hours and 46 minutes.

Things to do at Uluru once you finally get there include the Sounds of Silence dinner, an Uluru Segway tour and an Aboriginal dot painting workshop.

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.

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.