We all know the sun is vital to our very existence, a fact signified in the Australian Aboriginal flag, which is made up of black, red and yellow. The red indicates the land and the colour of ochre, the black signifies the Aboriginal people, while the yellow circle between the two represents the sun, provider of life for the land and its people.
Besides its obvious importance, the sun also makes for a fantastic setting in Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park. There is nothing like an outback sky, especially when the sun rises and sets over Uluru, shifting the colours among the clouds and even changing the colours of that incredible rock itself!
We know we talk a lot about the Red Centre’s changing sun on social media, but there is a reason for that – truthfully, it’s just something we never get tired of seeing, hence why we love sharing the experience with our wonderful guests. That, and it makes for an incredible shot, as the photos our guests share with us show!
There are a number of sunrise and sunset viewing areas located within Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, strategically placed for the best chance of capturing that Insta-worthy shot.
Sunrise
To catch that first glimpse of the sun rising over the sand dunes, you’ll have to rise yourself very early in the morning. This view, however, is more than worth getting out of bed while it’s still dark as the magic starts to happen at dawn!
Be prepared, though, because sunrise can bring a lot of visitors to Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, so the viewing platforms can get a little crowded. Luckily, a short stroll down the walking paths can still allow for some great views if you want a quieter spot.
Talinguru Nyakunytjaku is the most popular viewing spot to take in the sunrise over Uluru. Meaning ‘place to look from the sand dunes’, it lives up to its name by offering three shelters, two viewing platforms and plenty of walking paths that give you a fantastic sunrise view. For budding photographers, we suggest heading down the lower track until you reach the second shelter – it presents a great setting at sunrise and sunset for some incredible photographs of Uluru and Kata Tjuta.
While you can visit Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park on your own, if you want to experience the sunrise with a guide, we offer our SEIT Uluru Trek tour. This tour begins at your accommodation approximately one hour before sunrise (pick-up time, therefore, depends on the time of year) and then moves on to Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park for a sunrise trek around the twelve-kilometre base trail of Uluru!
Sunset
If you enjoy sleeping in, don’t worry – the sunset in the Red Centre is just as impressive as the sunrise. You are welcome to take it all in at Talinguru Nyakunytjaku, which is far less busy in the evening than at dawn.
However, other options are available, with the Uluru car sunset viewing area offering a great vantage point for those wanting to drive. Here, you will see some incredible colours above and on Uluru itself as the sun sets behind you. If there is a full moon, you might even see it appear next to the rock as night settles in!
For those wanting to take the best photos – or even capture a time-lapse video of the sunset – head to the end of the car park and set yourself up by the fence. This area, however, and the entire car park can be pretty busy, especially during school holidays, so you should come early!
There is also a dedicated area for buses and coaches only if you plan a guided tour. Here, the best view comes from walking through the dunes, with the trek offering the chance to experience the sunset over Uluru and Kata Tjuta in the distance.
If you are more interested in seeing Kata Tjuta, there are two dedicated viewing areas. The Kata Tjuta dune viewing area provides a stunning view of Kata Tjuta and the surrounding landscape. This location is worth the visit during sunset and sunrise, or even when the sun is high in the sky! We suggest visiting at sunset, though, as that time of day isn’t nearly as busy as dawn.
The Kata Tjuta sunset viewing area draws more crowds at dusk, but it is the prime location if you want to see Kata Tjuta’s domes change colours as the sun sets. There is also a great picnic area available, so you can bring your dinner and the family for a breathtaking experience and the chance to take some amazing photos.
However, it is essential to remember that Kata Tjuta is a culturally sensitive area, so make sure at least three domes are in your shot when taking photographs. Doing so will ensure you don’t reveal or capture any sacred places.
If you are interested in joining us to watch the sunset, the SEIT Uluru Sunset tour is available all year round. This tour allows you to relax with a glass of sparkling wine and light refreshments as the sun sets to the west – offering an uninterrupted view of what might just be the best photograph of Uluru you’ve had all day!