The Best Ways To Experience Australia’s Ultimate Icon – Uluru With Kids
Uluru is surprisingly family-friendly so go ahead and make plans to visit Uluru with kids … It is NOT one of those places you need to wait until they are older! Even though you will have seen the iconic images of Uluru in pictures, seeing it in person is really special. The way Uluru changes colour with the setting of the sun and the rising of the day is nothing short of amazing.
I love that like most things in Central Australia, you don’t have to view Uluru from behind a fence. You can walk completely around the base of it, running your hands along the wall when the track gets close enough. This close interaction goes a long way to making a visit to Uluru with kids engaging and enjoyable.
The Best Ways to Experience Uluru With Kids
The Mala Walk
The Mala Walk is an easy and enjoyable stroller-friendly 2km return walk along a section of the base around Uluru. It’s by far one of the easiest ways to experience Uluru with younger kids. If you arrive at the right time, there is a free daily ranger-guided walk with a knowledgable guide who will walk and talk you through it.
This is a really cool walk! You can enter the caves where Mala (rufous hare-wallaby) people camped when they first arrived at Uluru and see their kitchen cave and discover how Anangu lived life daily.
Kantju Gorge is quite peaceful and I’m told it’s a great place to plonk yourself at sunset for a close up perspective if you have already seen it from afar.
Uluru Base Walk
Attempting to walk the 10km around Uluru with much younger kids will probably result in you carrying them so this walk is more suited to older kids. Don’t worry, there are plenty of other ways to get around with younger kids! Whilst the walk is mostly flat, it gets very hot! Some tracks even close in the afternoon during the summer due to the high risk of heatstroke.
Parks Australia recommends you begin the walk from the Mala carpark in the early morning, while it’s cool, and do the track clockwise. The base walk passes through acacia woodlands and grassed claypans but seeing Uluru up close is the real highlight. It’s just amazing!
Liru Walk
The Liru Walk winds through a mulga forest and connects the Cultural Centre to the base of Uluru. It’s 4km return and takes around 90 minutes.
There is a large shelter just a few hundred metres from the Cultural Centre and it provides uninterrupted views of Uluru. It’s not heavily populated so it’s a great spot to sit with the kids and just enjoy the sheer magnitude of Uluru in peace as the wind rustles through the trees.
Don’t miss the walks at nearby Kata Tjuta either!
Watch The Sunset and Sunrise From The Viewing Areas
Viewing Uluru from either the sunset or sunrise viewing area is a must do when visiting Uluru Kata-Tjuta National park. Plus, the resulting photographs make for a great zoom background!
I’ve got a tip for you. If you arrive late and can’t get a park at the sunset viewing area, head on over to the sunRISE viewing area. The reason for this is, when the sun goes down, Uluru is then viewed in silhouette against the stunning colours of the Central Australian sky.
If visiting Uluru with younger kids, make sure to give them an old phone or camera and the important job of taking pictures so that you can enjoy the sunset and sunrise in peace!
Hire a Pushbike and Pedal Around it
This is really cool ! Did you know that you can hire a pushbike and ride around the base of Uluru with kids? They have kid-friendly bikes and seats! Book your ride around Uluru here.
The cycle track around Uluru is self-guided and around 15-kilometres in length. Because the track is so flat, it’s easily achieved in under three hours, and this includes stopping and looking at various sites.
Just make sure you bring plenty of water, sunscreen, your camera, and comfortable clothes because it gets hot out there!
The Field of Light
The Field of Light is an outdoor art exhibition by celebrated artist, Bruce Munro. It involves over 50,000 spindles of lights spread over an area larger than 7 football fields with Uluru as a silhouette backdrop. The lights change colour in a pleasantly mesmerising way and there are paths through them to wander at your own pace.
Book you field of lights experience here.
We have visited the Uluru Field of Lights both at sunrise and after sundown. Sunrise is definitely my favourite! Check out the amazing sunrise Field of Lights in our YouTube clip below.
The Cultural Centre
The cultural centre is a great place to start at Uluru. Made from locally made mud bricks and representing two ancestral snakes that battled at Mutijulu Waterhole and helped create Uluru. When you first enter, head straight to the Tjukurpa Tunnel for a really cool experience that includes the sounds of the winds created by Uluru and ceremonial songs. It is here that you will learn about Anangu law and traditions.
There are two galleries at the Cultural Centre, Maruku Arts and Walkatjara Art, both of which are worth checking out.
Zip Around Uluru by Segway
Hiring a Segway is a fun way to get around Uluru and even beginners can join in, with a guide in the lead providing commentary. You can get the whole way around Uluru in much less time and effort than it takes to walk and I’m told that they go faster than the flies.
Helmet, knee and elbow pads are provided and kids need to be over the age of 12 years to join in the Segway tour. Book your Uluru segway experience here.
See Uluru by Camel
Central Australia has an amazing history shared with the camels, that were brought to Australia in the 19th century. Watch the changing colours of Uluru at either dusk or dawn as you’re led through the outback in Australia’s Red Centre by an expert cameleer who shares their knowledge of the desert ecology and wildlife.
A morning ride includes billy tea and freshly baked beer bread with quandong jam and a sunset ride includes sparking wine, beer or soft drinks with snacks. The pace is delightfully relaxed, with the tour taking around two hours. What a great way to see Uluru with kids!
Children need to be five year of age and older. Book your Uluru camel tour here
View Uluru From Above in a Helicopter
Take a scenic helicopter flight over Australia’s favourite sandstone formation and experience 15 minutes of unforgettable views. The flights can be upgraded to take in Kata Tjuta in all its glory also. Although pricey, this is one way to experience Uluru with kids that the whole family will never forget.
Book your scenic helicopter flights over Uluru with kids here.
Looking for more awesome family holiday ideas?
For more information on visiting Central Australia, jump over to our Central Australia page. Alternatively, head on back to the home page for inspiration on destinations worldwide and around Australia.
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Resources for booking your getaway to Central Australia
Getting to the Red Centre of Australia
Most capital cities have flights to Central Australia, with flights landing in Alice Springs and Yulara, a smaller airport near Ayers Rock Resort. Find great deals on flights to Central Australia at Trip.com.
Getting around Central Australia
Car hire is available in Alice Springs. Compare car hire prices across major brands at Discover Cars. Don’t forget you will need a 4WD to drive the Mereenie Road Loop or see the entirety of the East MacDonnell Ranges.
Accommodation in Central Australia
Ayers Rock Resort in the obvious choice at Uluru Kata-Tjuta National Park, with a range of accommodations from camping to hotel rooms. For the ultimate in luxury at Uluru, stay at Longitude 131.
Kings Canyon Resort is a great choice for visiting Kings Canyon in the Watarrka National Park. Their glamping tents are divine, but the campgrounds are well-serviced if you’re on a camping road trip.
Glen Helen is the only non-camping option available in the West MacDonnell Ranges. Camping is also available at Ellery Creek, Ormiston Gorge, Finke 2 Mile and Redbank Gorge. Alternatively, you can book accommodation in Alice Springs and easily day-trip out to the West Macs.
If exploring the East MacDonnell ranges, check out Hale River Homestead and Ross River Homestead.
Tours and activities in Central Australia
Book your Central Australia tours and activities through Viator.
Awesome article Jessica! The best part is enjoying the scenic view of Uluru by riding a camel. It will be an amazing experience not just for the whole family but for the kids as well. Thanks for sharing this and safe travels!
Thanks! Uluru is pretty amazing regardless of how you see it. I’ve lost just strolling around it in peace 🙂