ULURU ROUTE
WHERE DO WE STOP AT ULURU?
The Uluru bus route operates throughout the day from sunrise to sunset with regular pick-ups from Ayers Rock Resort to key sites around Uluru. It’s the perfect way to experience Uluru’s changing colours, walking trails, and cultural significance at your own pace.
Buses depart from Ayers Rock Resort every 2 – 3 hours. Ticket holders can return to the same pick-up point or choose to make their way to another stop to continue exploring along the route.
We highly recommend purchasing the Uluru Audio Guide to elevate your Uluru experience (available during the checkout process for direct bookings).
Pick up from Ayers Rock Resort
Pre-booking is essential for all tickets, please include pick up time & location at the time of booking.
Travel time to first stop: approximately 20 minutes from Ayers Rock Resort.
Mutitjulu Waterhole
Nestled at the base of Uluru, this peaceful waterhole is rich in Anangu stories and local wildlife. Walking tracks lead to Kuniya Piti and the Mala Carpark, where you can reconnect with the next scheduled bus. Uluru Segway tours also operate from this stop.
Kuniya Piti
A sacred site where the ancestral python woman, Kuniya, is said to have created features of Uluru.
Kuniya Walk & Mutitjulu Waterhole
(1km / 45 minutes return)
An easy, well-shaded walk suitable for all ages, with birdlife, occasional wallaby sightings, and seasonal waterfalls after rain. Visit at sunrise, sunset or lunchtime for a quieter experience.
Mala Carpark
The starting point for the popular Mala Walk and ranger-guided tours, offering close-up views of Uluru’s rock faces.
Full base walk
(9.4km / 3-4 hrs)
See Uluru in it’s entirety. Starting at Mala carpark the full Base Walk is an inspiring journey over relatively easy ground. Discovering ancient formations and legends along the way, this walk lets you truly appreciate the spiritual significance of Uluru
Mala Walk to Kantju Gorge
(2km / 1hr return)
This gentle walk from the Mala carpark takes you to the spectacular and restful Kantju Gorge. The gorge was formed long ago by a vertical crack in the rock face. Take a moment to be overwhelmed by the complete quietness of this incredible landmark. From here you can continue to the full Base Walk if you choose or meet the Park Ranger for a free guided tour.
Mala carpark to Mutitjulu Waterhole
(2km / 30-60 mins)
For those who wish to visit a rock art site and take a walk past some interesting rock formations. Meet the next scheduled transfer at Mutitjulu Waterhole or continue on the Kuniuya Walk.
Mutitjulu Waterhole to Kuniya Piti
(3km / 40-60 mins)
Kuniya Piti to Mala Carpark
(4-5km / 1-1.5hrs)
Mala Carpark to the Cultural Centre
(2.3km / 30-40 mins)
Cultural Centre
Learn about Anangu culture, Tjukurpa (traditional law), and the park’s natural environment through interactive displays and local art.
Opening hours: 7am to 5.45pm
Cafe hours: 8.30am – 4.30pm
Picnic area & toilets available here.
Cultural Centre to Mala Carpark
(2.3km / 30-40 mins)
Return to ayers rock resort
KATA TJUTA ROUTE
Where do we stop at Kata Tjuta?
The Kata Tjuta bus route allows you to explore the towering domes of Kata Tjuta, a stunning and culturally significant site just 40 minutes from Uluru. This route includes optional walks at Walpa Gorge (1hr) or Valley of the Winds (3hrs), depending on selected departure times. It’s the easy, flexible way to explore one of the Red Centre’s most awe-inspiring landscapes.
Sunrise departs daily, afternoon and sunset departures are seasonal and do not run during the hotter summer months.
We highly recommend purchasing the Uluru Audio Guide to elevate your Kata Tjuta experience (available during the checkout process for direct bookings).
Pick up from Ayers Rock Resort
Pre-booking is essential for all tickets, please include pick up time & location at the time of booking.
Travel time to first stop: approximately 50 minutes from Ayers Rock Resort.
Kata Tjuta Sunrise Viewing Platform
Wake up early and be rewarded with one of the most unforgettable sights in the Red Centre. From the Kata Tjuta Sunrise Viewing Platform, watch as the first rays of light wash over the ancient domes, transforming them from deep purple shadows into glowing shades of red and gold.
This elevated platform offers sweeping views not only of the 36 domes of Kata Tjuta but also of the vast desert landscape, with Uluru silhouetted in the distance. It’s a photographer’s dream and a peaceful, awe‑inspiring way to begin your day.
Walpa Gorge (1hr walk)
Grade: Moderate (2.6km)
Step into a natural wonder at Walpa Gorge, where towering red rock walls rise dramatically on either side to create a cool, shaded haven in the heart of Kata Tjuta. This one‑hour walk leads you through a landscape rich with native plants that have adapted to thrive in this unique environment, offering a fascinating contrast to the surrounding desert.
The name Walpa means “whistling wind” in the local Pitjantjatjara language, and you’ll often hear breezes funnelling through the gorge as you explore. With its easy trail and breathtaking views, Walpa Gorge is perfect for travellers of all ages who want to experience the beauty and tranquillity of Kata Tjuta up close.
NOTE: You may select the Walpa Gorge walk OR the Valley of the Winds walk – you cannot do both on the same trip.
Valley of the Winds (3hr walk)
Grade: 4 modertate to difficult (7.4km / 3hrs)
For those seeking adventure, the Valley of the Winds Walk is one of the most rewarding experiences in Kata Tjuta. This 3‑hour circuit takes you deep between the soaring domes, where dramatic rock formations and sweeping lookouts reveal the scale and majesty of this sacred landscape. Along the way, you’ll pass through desert woodlands, rocky gorges, and lookout points that showcase endless views of Central Australia.
Challenging but unforgettable, the Valley of the Winds Walk is a must‑do for active travellers wanting to connect with the raw beauty and spiritual presence of Kata Tjuta. Every step offers a new perspective—and a memory you’ll treasure long after you leave the Red Centre.
Estimated walking times:
Carpark to Karu Lookout
1km (15-30 mins)
Karu Lookout to Karingana Lookout
1.6km (35-50 minutes)
Karingana lookout to carpark
4.9km approx 1hr 10mins – 1hr 30 mins)
NOTES: You may select the Walpa Gorge walk OR the Valley of the Winds walk – you cannot do both on the same trip.
Valley of the Winds walk is available on sunrise & afternoon departures only
For your safety, on days where the forecast temperature is 36C the walk beyond Karu Lookout is closed after 11am.
Return to ayers rock resort
uluru hop on hop off map
Kata Tjuta & Uluru StopsUluru & Kata Tjuta National Park
Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park pass is required for entry. Passes are not included in your bus ticket and can be purchased online at Parks Australia.
