January 14, 2025

Guide to Visiting Australia’s Northern Territory: Where to Stay Near Uluru

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Red dust kicks up behind us as we speed along the road in our 4 x 4 in what feels like the middle of nowhere.

This is Australia’s Outback Northern Territory and more specifically, the Red Centre – home to one of Australia’s most iconic landmarks: Uluṟu.

If this is a destination that’s been on your bucket list forever, then you’ll need to plan where to stay near Uluṟu to have the best experience. Longitude 131 is not only the best place to stay close to Uluṟu, but it’s also the ultimate luxury Outback experience. And with so much to do in the Red Centre, they were also able to help us coordinate once-in-a-lifetime experiences like a helicopter ride over Uluṟu-Kata Tjuṯa National Park and to see the famous Field of Light display.

Here’s everything you need to know about visiting Uluṟu, where to stay at Uluru and the best things to do there.

You may also like:
Tropical North Queensland Travel Guide
Sailing the Whitsundays
4 Day Gold Coast Itinerary
Western Australia and Esperance Guide

***Some of the links in this post may be affiliate links meaning I earn a small commission at no extra charge to you when you book or purchase through them.

where to stay near uluru and top things to do nearby pin with woman in daybed overlooking uluru in australia
woman drinking a glass of wine while looking at uluru at sunset

Where is Uluṟu?

Located in Australia’s Northern Territory, Uluṟu is the iconic rock formation that rises out of the desert and dominates the red desert here. Uluṟu is part of the Uluṟu-Kata Tjuṯa National Park which is a dual UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Uluṟu is around a 20-hour drive from Darwin, where the nearest international airport is located. If driving for that long and experiencing the famous Stuart Highway doesn’t appeal to you, there are direct flights to Ayers Rock Airport from Sydney, Melbourne, Cairns, and Brisbane.

uluru australia

When Is the Best Time to Visit Uluṟu?

There is no wrong time to visit. Hot sunny days and cool evenings characterise most days in the Red Centre desert. While the summer period (December-February) can be hot during the day, the summer storms cause it to be the best time to see the rare sight of waterfalls flowing around Uluṟu-Kata Tjuṯa National Park.

Spring brings the chance to see desert flowers in bloom while autumn has much more manageable temperatures to be active outdoors throughout the day.

Winter (June to August) can sometimes bring frost but also has the clearest skies, so if stargazing is your goal, winter is a great time to visit.

salty luxe in a helicopter over uluru-kata tjuta national park

The Best Place to Stay Close to Uluṟu in the Northern Territory

If you’re wondering where to stay around Uluṟu, I think it’s important to stay somewhere that feels connected to the spectacular surroundings and heritage of the region.

To have the best experience in the Outback Northern Territory, I really recommend staying close to Uluṟu to experience the true magic of this destination. There really is nothing like waking up in the morning to see the glow of sunrise on Uluru, right from your bedroom – which is why I recommend staying at Longitude 131.

Named after the exact geolocation on a map, Longitude 131 is a luxury desert camp experience unlike anything else I’ve ever experienced! Uluṟu is the true focal point with all roads and views in the lodge leading to it!

longitude 131 is one of the best luxury hotels in australia

Staying at Longitude 131

Longitude 131 is a bespoke luxury experience in the Australian Outback, offering adventure travellers the chance to combine exploring the Bush with luxury desert tent accommodation, curated dining experiences, and plunge pools with the best view of Uluṟu I’ve ever seen.

The tented luxury rooms are desert chic and filled with old maps, photographs, stories, and Aboriginal artwork that honours the history and cultural significance of Uluṟu. The rooms connect directly with nature, and you can even sleep with the doors open to feel the desert breeze and stargaze directly from your bed.

The balcony has a daybed, perfect for watching the sun rise over Uluṟu or for stargazing at night. After an evening out, we returned to find our balcony set with comfy swag, a roaring fire, and snacks and drinks to enjoy the stars – which are so bright without any light pollution in the Outback.

salty luxe on a day bed on the balcony at longitude 131 overlooking uluru
room interior at longitude 131 uluru
overhead view of the plunge pool at longitude 131

Make no mistake, Longitude 131 is a remote desert lodge experience. It’s just a red desert scape for as far as the eye can see and the vast night sky or blazing sun above you. But rather than this being an intimidating experience, the expanse reminds you of the sheer vastness of nature, and the power and gratitude I felt here was overwhelming.

Longitude 131 helped us organise the best experiences for our stay, including dining under the stars, access to the famous Field of Light display, and the most memorable helicopter ride of my life! With unparalleled access to Australia’s famous Uluṟu, the property combines and celebrates Indigenous culture and experiences in its programme, as well as offering unique experiences like a huge drone show retelling Aboriginal stories above the sundowner deck on the property.

salty luxe holding a glass of wine at sunset at uluru from longitude 131
salty luxe laying on a bed on the balcony at longitude 131
drone shot of longitude 131 australia

The 10 Best Things to Do in Uluṟu

Helicopter Ride Over Uluṟu-Kata Tjuṯa National Park

Worth every penny, a Uluṟu helicopter ride is one of the top things to do in Uluṟu for a reason – I was blown away!

We went out on a sunset helicopter ride which took us over both Kata Tjuṯa and Uluṟu. Kata Tjuṯa looked like it was literally glowing! The orange rock reflecting the setting sun was mesmerising. Then the iconic Uluṟu, such an important cultural landmark, glowed a deep red, towering over the expansive Outback landscape.

It’s also worth mentioning that Longitude 131 can organise scenic charter flights too, these can also go much further afield to other iconic landmarks like King’s Canyon or Lake Amadeus. 

Seeing Uluṟu from the air is an absolute must-do experience if you ever find yourself visiting Australia’s Northern Territory.

view of uluru from a helicopter tour
salty luxe standing by a helicopter
salty luxe on a helicopter tour over uluru kata-tjuta national park
uluru from a helicopter tour
salty luxe and the helicopter pilot over uluru kata tjuta national park

Guided Walks Around Uluṟu

Of course, seeing Uluṟu from the ground is just as spectacular and the team at Longitude can help you arrange guided walks with local experts who not only lead your walk but can also tell you about the history and cultural significance of Uluṟu.

The Uluṟu Base Walk is 10km long and takes in the famous watering hole and rock formations around the base of the rock.

These walks are best done in the morning or closer to sunset to avoid the peak heat of the midday sun – it’s intense out there in the Outback! Longitude 131 offers sunrise walks such as the Mutitjulu Meander to make the most of this peaceful time of day.

uluru australia

See Sunrise at Uluṟu

Longitude 131 is perfectly set up to allow you to see the sunrise over Uluṟu from the comfort of your own balcony terrace. Waking up to the views of Uluṟu during our stay gave me such a sense of immense gratitude to be among only a handful of people to experience this, thanks to the intimate size of the Longitude lodge property.

Waking up to the warm glow of the first light hitting Uluṟu with a coffee on our balcony and nothing but the birds and sounds of nature was my favourite time of day during our stay – watching the desert come alive as the red earth glows brighter under the sun is just magical.

The plunge pool on the property is also perfectly positioned to take a dip with uninterrupted views of Uluṟu from the pool.

Visit Field of Light Installation

Undoubtedly one of the must-do experiences in Uluṟu – don’t skip it!

We were lucky enough to have intimate access to Field of Light through Longitude 131 after darkness had fallen and wow – what an experience!

50,000 bulbs illuminate the desert scape in this unique light installation by artist, Bruce Munro, and covers the area of seven football fields – truly one of the top things to do in Uluṟu on your Northern Territory itinerary, especially if you’re planning what to do in Uluṟu at night.

Field of Lights Uluru

Dining Under the Stars

Australia’s Outback takes dining to the next level with an al fresco dining experience under the stars, perfect for a romantic experience or special occasion.

We booked the property’s signature restaurant, Table 131 and were treated to native Australian canapes as well as incredible wine and food pairings which included bush food and Aussie classics.

This is a must-do for any foodies on your trip to Uluṟu. After darkness descends the stars are so bright and visible thanks to the lack of light pollution, it becomes hard to tear your eyes away and eat!

wine glasses at sunset
dinner with a view of uluru at longitude 131

Eat Local Bush Food and Aussie Classics

Speaking of foodie experiences, the property has an incredible blend of food that honours the native traditions, Australian favourites, and curated dining experiences.

Because the number of guests is so low, every dining session feels like a private experience which is made even more magical when you’re surrounded by the stunning nature and scenery of the desert.

Longitude 131 also offers a Dune Top Dining experience which is located at the highest point on the property and has just four tables available – a must do when you stay here!

dining options at longitude 131
table with a view of uluru at longitude 131

Walpa Gorge Hike at Kata Tjuṯa

For the more adventurous travellers, a sunrise hike at Walpa Gorge with one of the lodge guides is one of the best activities in Uluṟu-Kata Tjuṯa National Park.

You learn about the geology and history of the 36 domed heads of Kata Tjuṯa as you walk through towering canyons, and why the site is sacred to First Nations people.

trail through the red center australia
view of uluru kata tjuta national park australia

See the Wintjiri Wiru Drone Show of the Mala Story of the Anangu People

This was such a special experience for us and I felt incredibly grateful to be able to witness it.

We headed up to the property’s cocktail terrace for sundowners which has incredible views of Uluṟu. Once we had basked in the glow of sunset, listening to a local musician playing the didgeridoo, we were treated to a drone show like nothing I’ve seen before.

With thousands of drones in the sky, we watched the visual retelling of the ancient Mala Story of the Anangu People, a story which has been passed down for generations.

The show was pure magic and so incredible to see something so uniquely modern retelling this significant ancient story.

Wintjiri Wiru Drone Show and Uluru

Cycling Through the Outback

For adventurous travellers who prefer to explore on two wheels, you can hire a mountain bike from Longitude 131 and take an adventurous ride into the Outback and around the 10km Uluṟu Base Walk path.

Camel Tours

You might be surprised to spot camels on your trip to Uluṟu. The good news is that one of the most fun things to do in Uluṟu is to book an Outback Camel Tour. This is a unique way to experience the Outback as well as hear entertaining stories and experiences about the camels as you traverse the desert with the stunning backdrop of Uluṟu.

This remote wilderness outpost leaves you feeling so immensely connected to nature and the history of the land. The Red Centre really is one of Australia’s most beautiful and unique places to visit for all travellers and locals alike.

If you want to experience a luxury Outback stay while also experiencing the best things to do in and around Uluṟu, the Longitude 131 location is the perfect Uluru accommodation for this bucket list destination, combining love of nature and the country while also inspiring relearning of ancient Aboriginal cultures.

You may also like:
Tropical North Queensland Travel Guide
Sailing the Whitsundays
4-Day Gold Coast Itinerary
Western Australia and Esperance Guide

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where to stay near uluru and top things to do in uluru pin with image of salty luxe looking at uluru from her balcony at longitude 131

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