Uluru is rich with incredible cultural experiences not to be missed. From SEIT's Patji tour to the Maruku Cave Art tour & Ayers Rock itself, the area is full of fascinating sights for people of all walks of life. Depending on where you’re staying, there’s a couple of different ways to get to the Uluru Cultural Centre (where a lot of tours start & finish), but most tour options also offer transport to & from your accommodation to make things easier for you.
We’ve listed below some of the once in a lifetime tours you can take at Uluru, and given some helpful advice on how you can respect the local traditions and customs of this deeply spiritual and culturally significant place.
Starting at Kuniya Walk, which is right next to the famous Mutitjulu Waterhole car park (at the base of Uluru), this 1-hour walking tour offers an exceptional guide from a local Aboriginal Anangu. You’ll see sacred & beautiful works depicted on Uluru itself, as well as throughout the family cave, showcasing stories of the Creation time and fascinating markings thousands of years old. Your guide will give you in-depth insight into the cultural significance & history of the area as well as treat you to some local bush tucker foods!
The Maruku Cave Tour is 1-hour long and starts at $50 for children and $89 for adults, with a family option available for $220 (two adults and two children).
Maruku Arts Cave Tour
If you’re looking for an immersive cultural experience, SEIT’s Patji Tour is widely known as a ‘true Aboriginal experience’. SEIT prides itself on offering a tour that goes beyond the usual tourism of Uluru and gives travellers a deep insight into the local way of life.
The Patji Tour is a 7-hour experience which departs from the Ayers Rock Resort. Depending on what time of year you’re going to be there, tours depart from either 1pm (Apr - Oct) or 7am (Nov - Mar) with both offering water & sunset drinks or a delicious morning tea. In that time you’ll see the land around Uluru no-one else has access to, with an Aboriginal guide and access to sacred lands the average person isn’t able to visit.
SEIT’s Patji Tour is available on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays and starts at $294 per person. It’s worth noting though that due to the cultural significance of some of the locations visited, children under the age of 5 are not permitted to take the tour.
AAT Kings have been operating tours in Uluru for years and it’s not hard to understand why when you experience the Uluru Aboriginal Art & Culture Tour. This half day adventure will take you on a journey of discovery, with a local Anangu guide, you’ll explore Aboriginal art, the plethora of tales connecting the people with the land & traditional stories passed down from generations before. You’ll even get to create your own dot painting to take home.
Depending on what time of year you’re visiting Uluru, tours depart at either 7:30am (Nov - Mar) or 8:30am (Apr - Oct) and leave from & return to Ayers Rock Resort. The itinerary is loaded with local walks, drives, art lessons & even some local language teaching so you can expect to return by around 12-1pm, making it a perfect half day activity.
AAT Kings Uluru Aboriginal Art and Culture Tour starts at $135 for children and $265 for adults.
While there are truly awesome tours you can pay for around Uluru, there isn’t a shortage of free activities around Ayers Rock Resort too!
Every day at 1pm you’ve got the opportunity to experience the Bush Food Experience at the Arkarni Theatre. This free lesson & demonstration will give you the chance to explore a range of local plants, grains, fruits & spices which are used in traditional cooking. Bring your appetite!
With over 416 species of native plants in the Uluru region, there is plenty to learn about here! Operating two tours daily at 8:45am and 4pm from the Resort Town Square flag poles, this is the perfect way to dip your toes into the local horticulture scene. Explore the sights & smells as well as the plethora of uses for all the incredible plant-life!
Aside from the must-see cave art in the area, Ayers Rock Resort has three exceptional art galleries open to the public. Showcasing local indigenous artists of all varieties, these museums are an art-lover’s dream come true, bound to take your imagination on a trip. The Mulgara Gallery at Sails in the Desert, Mingkiri Gallery at Town Square and Gallery of Central Australia are all open year-round.
Bush Food Demonstration
Gallery of Central Australia (GoCA)
Departing daily from the Mala carpark at either 8am (Oct - Apr) or 10am (May - Sep), these guided tours are an excellent way to learn about Uluru while walking around it. Taking around 1.5 hours to complete, you’ll do the Mala Walk and hear a local ranger tell you all about the history, culture, people & spirituality of Uluru.
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