Uluru Hop on Hop off Uluru (Ayers Rock) Return

Map View Full Details Reviews

One return bus trip from your Ayers Rock Resort hotel to Uluru, for travellers short on time. Book any bus from sunrise to sunset; once you return to the resort, your ticket is complete.

Days

Up to a full day, sunrise to sunset

Group size

Self-guided

Start / finish

Ayers Rock Resort / Ayers Rock Resort

Return

See itinerary for details

Transport

Air-conditioned bus, hotel pick-up and drop-off

Meals

No meals are listed as included

Route

Map of Uluru Hop on Hop off Uluru (Ayers Rock) Return

View map

Included experiences

Mutijulu Waterhole
Kuniya Piti
Mala Carpark
Uluru Cultural Centre

Uluru Hop on Hop off Uluru (Ayers Rock) Return

Pictures / Videos

Itinerary

Map

PICK-UP AND THE DRIVE TO ULURU

Pick any bus on the day's timetable, from sunrise to sunset, and the air-conditioned bus collects you from your Ayers Rock Resort hotel in Yulara, about 20 km from the rock. As you come down the road, Uluru fills the windscreen. It rises 348 metres above the plain and measures 9.4 km around its base. Anangu, its traditional owners, have lived around it for tens of thousands of years, and in 1985 the park was handed back to them; today they run it jointly with Parks Australia. There's no guide on board, so the day goes at your pace.

AROUND THE ROCK: FOUR STOPS

The bus runs between four stops around the rock, and you get off wherever you like. Kuniya Piti is the start of the walk to Mutitjulu Waterhole, one of the few places in the park where water lasts all year, fed by a rock chute that turns into a waterfall after rain. Here Anangu tell how Kuniya, the woman python, fought the snake Liru, and the marks of the fight are still in the rock. From the Mala car park the Mala Walk follows the ancestral Mala, the rufous hare-wallaby people, along the base, and the 10.6 km Base Walk takes about three and a half hours to go all the way round. Buses come by every two to three hours.

THE CULTURAL CENTRE

Save time for the Cultural Centre, opened in 1995 in a building shaped after the two ancestral snakes Kuniya and Liru. Inside, Anangu explain Tjukurpa, the law that ties the stories in the rock to how people live, along with the plants, animals and seasons of their country. It's the best place to understand why some parts of Uluru are sacred and shouldn't be photographed, and it gives everything you've walked past a meaning. It's also a shady spot to sit out the middle of the day.

BACK TO THE RESORT

Stay out as long as you like, up to sunset. When you've had enough, catch one of the scheduled buses back to your hotel. The ticket covers one return trip, so once you're back at the resort it's done. If you're staying for sunset, take water and a warm layer: the desert cools quickly once the sun drops.

Map

Good to know

Meeting point: Pick-up from Ayers Rock Resort hotels: Desert Gardens, Sails in the Desert, Ayers Rock Resort Campground and Outback Hotel & Lodge.
Departure time: The timetable changes with sunrise and sunset times; the current schedule is available from your driver or hotel reception. Seats are limited, so give your pick-up time and location when booking.

What is included

One return trip from your resort to Uluru
Hotel pick-up and drop-off
4 stops around Uluru: Mutijulu Waterhole, Kuniya Piti, Mala Carpark and the Cultural Centre
Air-conditioned bus

Not included

Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park pass, required for entry: $38 per adult, buy online from Parks Australia
Tour guide (self-guided transport)
Kata Tjuta transfers
Multi-language audio guide

FAQ

Preparing for the trip

Do I need travel insurance?

Insurance is important in protecting visitors from loss or damange of goods, medical problems, cancelation by passengers or other casualties. Its highly recommended. Some tours on this website require you to have travel insurance. If you are Australian then it is not necessary.

Where can I get more information about this trip?

If you find that this tour page doesn't answer all your questions, then please get in contact with us! Our passionate team are always available to answer any queries you may have.

What immunisations do I need?

For the latest information on immunisations, we strongly recommend you or contact the Travellers Medical and Vaccination Centre (www.traveldoctor.com.au) to discuss health requirements for your trip. They will advise you about appropriate inoculations.

Do I need to take any medical supplies?

It is not necessary to bring any medical supplies other than any personal items you may require. Each tour carries a first aid box, and the tour guides are all certified in First Aid.

Will I be able to use my mobile whilst on tour?

You can use your mobile while touring in Australia or New Zealand, but coverage may be limited in remote areas. For best connectivity, consider purchasing a local SIM card or an international roaming plan.

How fit do I need to be?

These tours are designed to be fun, informative and active, and can be enjoyed by anyone with a moderate degree of fitness and agility. Travellers should be comfortable with hiking or walking up to 5km each day.

What should I pack?

Depending on where in Australia or New Zealand you decide to visit, your luggage will vary. For exact information please visit the "What to bring" section of each tour page.

Private tours and families

Is it possible to travel in a private group?

If you are looking for a private tour based on one of these trips, please contact us directly and we may be able to help. Over the years we have worked with families, groups of friends, schools, clubs and charities to put together the perfect trip.

Booking the trip

Does the tour price include flights?

No. Tour prices do not include any travel arrangements other than for the duration of the tour itself. If you need assistance with booking flights or buses our travel team and certainly help - Just ask!

How far in advance do I need to book my tour?

As a rule of thumb, try to book at least 2 weeks prior to departure, this will usually get you a seat on the date you want. That being said, we cannot guarantee that spaces will be available at the time of your booking so, if you can, book as soon as possible. Bookings can still be made right up until the departure date of the tour if seats are available. If you know when you'd like to travel, please contact us and we will let you know if you need to book soon or if you have time.

Do I have to book this tour online?

Definitely not. Our website is designed to make is easy and convenient for you to schedule your tour. However we understand sometimes its nice to talk to someone directly. So by all means give us a call and we can organise your trip over the phone.

If I book more than one tour can I get a discount?

Absolutely! If you are booking multiple tours then we may be able to offer you a discount. Send us an email at info@lostinaustralia.org and let us know what you thinking of doing and we can put together a price for you.Also, be sure to look out for monthly specials on tours. We often have some great bargains.

How do I know when a tour is available?

You can check the departure dates of tours by using our calendar on the top right hand corner of the tour page. This will tell you what days the tour departs. For availability of seats please contact us directly at info@lostinaustralia.org or call us.

If I make a deposit only, when will I need to pay the balance?

Balance on tours need to be paid at least 30 days prior to departure. Failure to do so could result is the cancellation of your seat with a fee charged. If you need more time to clear your balance then let us know ASAP and arrangements can be made.

Who travels with us

Is it ok to travel alone on one of these tours?

Plenty of travellers book these tours on their own. Solo travellers are very much welcomed and encouraged. During your outback adventure you'll meet new and interesting people and forge relationships that last a lifetime.Solo travellers will usually share a room with a travelling companion of the same sex, but even if you do get your own room you won't be charged extra. On camping tours there are generally enough tents available that you can have your own if you choose to.For more information please contact us directly.

Cost and Fees

Do I need to tip the guide?

If you had an amazing time on tour and wish to tip your guide, that is completely up to you. Tipping is not customary in Australia and is not at all expected.

Will I need additional money?

Travellers are advised to bring some cash, as ATMs and banks can be few and far between in the remote parts of the trip. It is handy to have some extra cash, as the tour does stop by local shops and cafes.

Are there any hidden fees I need to know about?

Our tour prices are completely transparent. There are no additional fees involved that are not included in the overall tour price shown. If you wish to do optional activities such as helicopter rides or wildlife safaris, then an extra cost may be needed. However, this will always be made clear at the time of your booking.

What does Paid Locally mean?

Some tours require you to pay national park fees directly, in cash, to the tour guide on the morning of departure. Rest assured this will be subtracted from the tour price when reserving your tour.

Whilst on tour

Can I book extra accommodation for the start and end of the tour?

We know our country inside and out and would be happy to give you good recommodations. Please contact us for recommendations.

Where do I meet the tour?

For pick-up times and locations, please check the "Start/Finish" section directly under the itinerary, which lists every pick-up point and its time.There is a lot of information there to help you plan your flights and arrival.Please review it carefully, as pick-ups can vary from tour to tour.

Reviews

5.0

Based on 1 review

Verified from

Real reviews from travellers who've done this tour, gathered from around the web and paraphrased.

How we collect and publish reviews

Where they come from. Our reviews are gathered from independent review sites and from guests who share feedback with us directly after their trip. They come from people who have actually travelled on the tour. Some longer trips are made up of shorter tours we also sell, run back to back — where a review was written about one of those legs, the review says so.

Why some are edited. Many of our guests travel in their second or third language. Where a review is hard to read, we lightly edit spelling, grammar and punctuation, or paraphrase a sentence for clarity. We never change the rating, the meaning or the sentiment, and we never write a review on a guest's behalf.

Reading the originals. Reviews sourced from public review sites appear there in their original form, and can be read in full at their original source at any time.

(5/5)

More than a bus, as the staff tell you about the area too. I used the Uluru return for the ranger-guided Mala walk in the morning and stayed until sunset, with a lift to the Cultural Centre in between and a quick photo stop at the Mala car park.

Jess Atkins Verified· Travelled 30th May 2024

Read original ↗