hero media

The one thing more than half of Uluṟu visitors wish they’d done differently

Credit: Unsplash/photoholgic

Eleanor Edström Eleanor Edström
As revealed by a new study. 

You wouldn’t wolf down a gourmet three-course meal in five minutes. So why, when it comes to travel, do we routinely try to cram days of discovery into a few whirlwind hours? 

Few places are less suited to a whistle-stop visit than Uluṟu, the Northern Territory’s 500-million-year-old, incredibly special sandstone monolith that’s laden with Aṉangu culture. Yet a new study suggests most visitors underestimate just how much time the region warrants.  

Ayers Rock Resort, operated by Voyages Tourism Australia, surveyed 250 guests and found 52 per cent would stay longer if they were to plan their trip again. A further 72 per cent of respondents said Uluṟu offered more to do than they had expected. 

“Many Australians still think of Uluṟu as a destination you can see in a day or two, but our guests consistently tell us they’ve underestimated both the scale of the landscape and the range of experiences on offer," said Ana Sofia Ayala, Chief Marketing Officer at Voyages Tourism Australia.  

The appeal of the UNESCO World Heritage-listed landscape extends well beyond the famous rock itself, encompassing the domed formations of Kata Tjuṯa, striking desert scenery and rich Aṉangu cultural and arts experiences. In fact, there are more than 100 bookable experiences and tours near Uluṟu to explore. 

How long should I spend at Uluṟu?

Uluṟu sunset
Past visitors regretted trying to fit too much into a short stay and not staying longer. (Credit: Unsplash/Danny Lau)

The typical Uluṟu tourist stay lasts two to three nights, but those who’ve visited have a different recommendation. According to Ayer Rock Resort’s survey, 68 per cent of past visitors would advise first-timers to stay at least four nights in Uluṟu-Kata Tjuṯa National Park to fully appreciate the area’s breadth and depth of experiences.

“I spent three days at Uluṟu in 2023, and I packed in as much as I could. Field of Light, sunrise at Talinguṟu Nyakunytjaku, the ranger-guided Mala walk and of course the wonderful Wintjiri Wiṟu Sunset Dinner," says Emily Murphy, Australian Traveller’s Email & Social Editor.

“But I flew home with a list of everything I’d missed: dinner under the stars at Tali Wiṟu, Kata Tjuṯa, the full base walk. And if I’m dreaming, a night at Longitude 131˚ [a bucket-list luxury lodge with incredible views of Uluṟu]. Three days gets you the highlights, but it doesn’t give you time to slow down and fully take the place in." 

Kata Tjuṯa
Discover the incredible Kata Tjuṯa domes with Voyages Tourism Australia.

Ayers Rock Resort survey respondents similarly urged other visitors to budget extra time to experience all the wonderful tourism offerings available.  

“Do as much as you can, but don’t rush it. Give yourself time to take it all in," says Judy from South Australia’s Grange.  

Angelimar of Maribyrnong, Victoria, agrees it’s not worth speeding through your stay. “Allow at least five days, four nights so you are not rushing." 

And for Kay from Elland, NSW, pre-planning is key: “Do your homework before you go! There’s so much more [to do] than we thought." 

Need tips, more detail or itinerary ideas tailored to you? Ask AT.

AI Prompt

Is 3 nights in Uluṟu enough? 

Bush Food Experience with Ayers Rock Resort
Leave enough time to try the Bush Food Experience by Ayers Rock Resort.

Three nights in Uluṟu is sufficient for witnessing just the highlights, but doing so is likely to feel rushed. Many visitors who’ve done three nights or less leave feeling like they’ve barely scraped the surface.

Moreover, the region’s tourism offerings continue to expand. Some visitors return time and again, watching Uluṟu evolve through the decades – and discovering that its magic never seems to fade. 

What can I do in Uluru in 5 days? 

Wintjiri Wiru
Pre-book the mesmerising Wintjiri Wiru experience.

The short answer… so much! From amazing dining experiences to cycling the rock’s base, below are some of our top picks of things to do in the region.  

For art and culture

For nature 

  • Sunrise at Talinguṟu Nyakunytjaku viewing point
  • Outback Sky Journeys stargazing
  • Kata Tjuṯa domes

For active adventures  

For food 

Sally from Bulimba, Queensland, recommends trying a range of experiences. “Do it all: walk around, Segway around, do all the walks, eat the special dinners, seek the sunsets, meet the locals." 

Weekly travel news, experiences
insider tips, offers, and more.

More takeaways from the survey

When asked about the biggest mistakes when planning and experiencing an Uluṟu trip, the most common answers – beyond trying to fit too much into a short visit, not staying long enough and not realising how much there is to do – included visiting at the wrong time of year (May to September is usually the best time) and not booking experiences far enough in advance.

Both are fair pieces of advice for a destination that continues to enchant, educate and captivate visitors time and time again.

Want to see more stories from Australian Traveller in your Google search results?

  1. Click here to set Australian Traveller as a preferred source.
  2. Tick the box next to "Australian Traveller". That's it.
Eleanor Edström
Eleanor Edström is Australian Traveller’s Associate Editor. Previously a staff writer at Signature Luxury Travel & Style and Vacations & Travel magazines, she's a curious wordsmith with a penchant for conservation, adventure, the arts and design. She discovered her knack for storytelling much earlier, however – penning mermaid sagas in glitter ink at age seven. Proof that her spelling has since improved, she holds an honours degree in English and philosophy, and a French diploma from the University of Sydney. Off duty, you’ll find her pirouetting between Pilates and ballet classes, or hunting down Sydney's cosiest cafes.
View profile and articles
New luxury lodge by Beckons coming to Uluru, NT
Uluru

A new 9-suite luxury lodge with plunge pools is coming to Uluṟu

Front-row views have never looked so magical.

Read more
Uluṟu-Kata Tjuṯa Signature Walk
Uluru

The world’s oldest walk just launched in Australia, and we tested it out

Australian Traveller was part of the first group to join the Uluṟu-Kata Tjuṯa Signature Walk, which delivers an experience like no other.

Read more
This new 4-day Uluṟu walk is built for people who don’t want to camp
Uluru

This new 4-day Uluṟu walk is built for people who don’t want to camp

Uluṟu’s new Lodge Walk trims the kilometres, skips the camping and opens up one of Australia’s most powerful walking experiences to more travellers.

Read more
A table of people dining at Tali Wiṟu in Uluṟu
Uluru

It’s official! The Northern Territory’s best restaurant is in Uluṟu.

Australia’s most iconic rock now rocks the food scene.

Read more
hero media

Discovering East Arnhem: Australia’s most unique and rewarding corner

    Joanne Millares Joanne Millares
    Continue

    Hard to reach and harder to forget, East Arnhem offers something rare in modern travel: the chance to slow down and experience Country on its own terms.

    The sky feels bigger in East Arnhem. It stretches wide and uninterrupted above rouged earth, stringybark woodland and beaches so empty they seem to belong to another era. The coastline curves for kilometres without a footprint and the horizon runs on forever.

    For comedian Lou Wall, the scale of the place was the first thing that hit them.

    “The sheer openness,” they say. “The sky feels infinite and the land stretches out endlessly. It’s pretty breathtaking visually.”

    But the physical landscape is only part of the story. The real reward isn’t only the scenery but the shift in perspective the journey brings. Visitors stop trying to tick off the destination and a real engagement takes over.

    “It made me never want to travel again,” Wall jokes. “In that I never wanted to leave East Arnhem.”

    Getting there

    Aerial shot of East Arnhem’s coastline as cars trace the curve of the shore.
    Sail along the remote coastline on an expedition cruise.

    Reaching East Arnhem is part of the adventure. Travellers typically fly into Gove Airport near Nhulunbuy via Darwin or Cairns, or arrive by expedition cruise along the remote coastline. Others make the journey overland along rutted dirt roads that cut through East Arnhem’s small pockets of monsoon forest.

    However you arrive, there’s a distinct feeling of crossing into somewhere different. Permits are required to visit the region, reflecting the fact that this is Yolŋu land where communities and traditional owners maintain deep cultural connections to Country.

    The extra planning becomes part of the experience. By the time visitors arrive, they understand they’re entering a place not just of respect, but also patience and curiosity.

    At one with nature

    East Arnhem’s  landscapes leave a strong imprint. For Wall, one place in particular still lingers in their memory: Ngalarrkpuy, also known as Lonely Beach, near Bawaka Homeland.

    “I genuinely felt like I was living inside an Instagram filter,” they say. “One of the most stunning feats of nature I’ve ever seen. The water was so clear I swear I could see even the fish smiling.”

    Across the region, natural experiences unfold at a slower pace. Fishing, beachcombing and island hopping reveal the rhythm of the coastline. The tides shape daily life and the vastness of the landscape makes even simple moments feel downright cinematic.

    For visitors with limited time, Wall says the Bawaka Homeland experience is unmissable.

    “I just left and I’m already planning when I can get back there.”

    The sense of remoteness is part of the appeal. In a country where many beaches are crowded and well-trodden, East Arnhem’s coastline still feels wonderfully wild.

    Immersing in local culture

    A visitor spends a meaningful moment alongside Yolŋu guides, gaining insight into their deep cultural knowledge and connection to the land.
    Experience authentic moments with the locals.

    Culture is woven through every experience in East Arnhem. Visitors have the opportunity to spend time on Country with Yolŋu guides and knowledge holders who share stories and traditions that have been passed down for generations.

    For Wall, one of the most powerful moments came during a conversation with a Yolŋu elder.

    “I got to meet a traditional elder, Mayalil, in Nhulunbuy,” they say. “Listening to her talk about her home made the land feel alive in ways I couldn’t have imagined.”

    The region is also home to internationally recognised Aboriginal art centres where artists shape works deeply connected to land and family knowledge.

    Music carries the same cultural energy. East Arnhem has produced globally recognised artists such as King Stingray and Baker Boy, blending Yolŋu language, storytelling and contemporary sound.

    Wall experienced this musical spirit first-hand.

    “A jam session around the fire was it for me,” they say. “Letting the deep joy and history of their music wash over me…  and meeting a few of the King Stingray musicians was unreal.”

    These moments of human connection often become the most memorable part of a visit.

    Spotting local wildlife

    An aerial view of the beach shows tiny figures lined up across the white sand, moving as if in a rhythmic dance.
    Step into a world where nature reigns.

    The wildlife of East Arnhem adds another layer to the experience. The region is home to an extraordinary range of animals, from waterbirds and turtles to dugongs, dolphins and the formidable saltwater crocodile.

    Wall admits they didn’t actually spot a croc during their visit.

    “Devastatingly, I didn’t see one,” they laugh. “But with all the stories from the locals I definitely gained a healthy respect for caution.”

    Some of the most memorable wildlife encounters can be surprisingly small., At Banubanu Beach Retreat on Bremer Island, Wall remembers walking along the beach one morning and watching it come alive.

    “As you walk through the sand you see hundreds of crabs scurrying into their holes as you pass by,” they say. “Such a small thing, but it was completely magical.”

    Moments like this reveal the quieter rhythms of East Arnhem, where even the smallest creatures seem to play a part in the landscape.

    Visitors who make the journey soon learn the most important travel tip of all.

    “Go in open-minded with a sense of curiosity,” Wall says. “Be prepared to ditch your plans. The land and the locals will guide you on an adventure no spreadsheets could ever compete with.”

    And most importantly, they add, don’t rush.

    “The land and people deserve your time and attention. You’ll be all the better for slowing down.”

    For more information on visiting East Arnhem, head to eastarnhem.com.au.