Sunset carpark. Photo: James Horan
Sunset carpark. Photo: James Horan

On Monday 16 March, heavy rainfall impacted Uluṟu-Kata Tjuṯa National Park. It resulted in water over a number of roads and a closure of the park for safety.

The park has reopened to visitors and we’re pleased to advise that the Uluṟu Ring Road and the Muṯitjulu Waterhole access road have reopened.

There is still water over the road in several locations and motorists are advised to proceed with caution. Road closures for Tjukaruru Road (Docker River Road) at the Kata-Tjuṯa Road intersection remain in place. For more information and latest advice visit Road Report NT.

All walking tracks are open however we ask visitors to exercise caution, remain on marked tracks and paths at all times and take care on potentially slippery surfaces.

We thank visitors and tourism operators for their patience, understanding and continued support during this weather event.

This is the place to take the quintessential Uluṟu photo. As the sun sinks behind you, the rock transforms from pinkish hues to a fluorescent orange and deep shades of red.

The sky also displays a varied palette of colours, with the rock surrounded by delicate baby blues and bright pinks. If you visit during the full moon, you are likely to see the moon rising next to Uluṟu around sunset.

Alternatively, you can visit this area at dawn to capture the rock silhouetted against the rising sun.

This viewing area is for cars only. Buses can use the bus sunset and Talinguṟu Nyakunytjaku viewing areas instead.

Beat the crowds

The car sunset area is very lively during school holidays. The rest of the year, the carpark is usually big enough for visitors to enjoy their own space at sunset.

Come here for sunrise to get the place almost entirely to yourself. Bring your own chairs and nibbles.

Tips for photographers

To capture an uninterrupted shot of Uluṟu, drive to the very end of the carpark and put your tripod near the fence in the wide sandy area (you’ll want to arrive early to get a good spot). This is also the perfect place to film a sunset time-lapse video.

As Uluṟu features many sacred and sensitive sites, we ask that you avoid zooming in and focusing on particular details from this location. Please capture images and footage that show Uluṟu in its entirety.

Please visit our photography page for more details on sensitive sites.

If you're taking photographs or filming for commercial or public purposes, you'll need a media permit.

Note: The National Park is a no-drone-zone.

Site accessibility

  • tick iconWheelchair access

Region

Facilities

  • cross iconNo water
  • cross iconNo toilets

Driving time from hub

15–20 minutes from Yulara