Can you climb Uluru?

You can’t climb Uluru because it’s not safe, and the traditional Indigenous owners don’t want you to. Do the Uluru base walk instead.

In October 2019, a big change happened for Australian tourism. Uluru – the Northern Territory monolith formerly known as Ayers Rock – was officially closed for climbing. Visitors can no longer walk to the top of Uluru.

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.

To Uluru’s traditional custodians, the Anangu people, this Uluru climbing ban was a long time coming. The Anangu are one of several hundred Aboriginal groups in Australia.

Why can’t you climb Uluru?

For decades, the Anangu had politely and respectfully asked visitors to not climb Uluru. But the visitors impolitely and disrespectfully climbed it anyway.

To the local indigenous people, Uluru is a sacred place. But part of the problem has always been persuading others why it is sacred. The Anangu believe it is not right to share many of the stories related to Uluru with outsiders.

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

Uluru climb ban: Safety and heat

But the major reason for banning the Uluru climb is safety.

Over the years, several people have died climbing Uluru. High temperatures (especially in summer), dehydration and sunstroke make for serious health risks.

Coupled with the steepness of the climbing route, the unprepared and unfit were leaving themselves open to serious injuries from falls.

There were also several heart attacks. Given the remoteness of the site and difficulty in rescuing people from the top of Uluru, the risks were regarded as outweighing the benefits.

For the Anangu, too, someone injuring themselves on Uluru is like having a guest invited into your home injure themselves. There is a sense of responsibility on top of the sacred status.

After years lobbying for the closure of the Uluru climb, the Anangu finally persuaded the Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park board in 2017.

Alternatives to climbing Uluru

The good news is that walking around Uluru was always better than climbing it in the first place. The Uluru base walk shows just how multifaceted and mesmeric the big red rock can be. It helps hundreds of thousands of tourists get an idea of why Uluru, five hours from Alice Springs, is sacred in the first place. Other alternatives are taking a camel ride to view Uluru, flying overhead on a helicopter tour or hiring a car at Ayers Rock Airport to explore under your own steam.

If you really must climb somewhere for bragging rights, try Mt Kosciuszko in New South Wales – it’s Australia’s highest mountain.

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.

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