Ayers Rock / Uluru is one of Australia’s most iconic photography locations. Where you photograph ‘the rock’ from and at what time of day really makes a difference to your pictures.

This guide covers the best viewpoints to photograph Uluru, including sunrise and sunset spots.

Best viewpoints to photograph Ayers Rock (Uluru)

Uluru is located inside the Uluṟu-Kata Tjuṯa National Park which is open 365 days a year but has different opening and closing times based on the seasons. Opening hours by month can be found on the national park website.

I visited mid week and didn’t see anyone else at any of the viewing places. There’s a lot of room for everyone to spread out and since most people arrive via plane and there’s limited accomodation you barely see other people.

Most of the photos in this post were taken during the day around 10am – 1pm.

Uluṟu Car Sunset Viewing Area

Let’s start with my favorite: the Uluṟu Car Sunset Viewing Area. While it’s labelled a sunset viewing area you can visit at anytime. There’s plenty of parking and space for people spread out all along the fence.

I liked this photo the best as the red of the rock really pops against the blue cloudless sky. I also think this is the ‘better’ side of the rock. It looks smoother and more rounded than the other side. You’ll see what I mean later in this post.

Talinguṟu Nyakunytjaku – Uluṟu Sunrise Viewing Area

Despite it’s name, this viewing platform can be visited at anytime during the park opening hours, not just at sunrise.

I didn’t think this viewpoint was that great, it’s a bit too far away from the rock. But it does show a different view where you can see that Ulura is not all that smooth rounded shape (the side that everyone photographs). If you want a different photography angle, then head here. There’s a boardwalk / viewing area.

From the side of the road

Since there’s a whole lot of nothing in that part of the country you can see Uluru from quite a distance away just driving along the road.

You can see it driving back towards Yulara from Kings Canyon and the Olgas, and once you pass the Uluru- Kata Tjuta National Park Entry Station.

You’ll need to buy a pass to enter the national park to get a close up view of the rock and do the base walk. You can buy the pass here.

Uluṟu Coach Sunset Viewing Area

This is the spot where William and Kate took their iconic photo when they visited Australia when George was a baby. We initially thought we weren’t allowed to enter but it’s only restricted for bus access only at sunset (i.e. to make you pay for a tour to get the viewpoint access). I think their signage is confusing and other people probably also thought they weren’t allowed to go in there, as there was nobody else there the entire time we were there.

I didn’t take any photos without people in them that included the fence, but I think that’s the best angle. If you take it from the fence instead of including the fence, then there’s too much foreground:

At Ayers Rock

Of the entire base walk which takes around 3 hours, the best part is the bit I’ve marked in pink in the screenshot below.

A good place to park / start your walk is at the Mutitjulu waterhole

Since the rock is so big, you can’t really get good photos of the rock when up close. But it does make you realise all it’s different angles and there’s even sections with little ‘caves’.

If you don’t want to walk around the base, there’s a road that goes the whole way around the rock so you can just drive around it and stop anywhere you want to take photos.

Note that there are signs scattered around the rock saying you can’t take photos in certain sections that are of cultural significance to indigenous Australians. So you could walk around the entire rock but if you’re main focus is taking photos, then I don’t think it’s necessary or the best use of your time while you’re in the area. The most photogenic section (and where you can take photos) is the part I highlighted in pink on the screenshot earlier in this post.

The photo below is the spot where people used to climb the rock. You can see the grey line in the rock where people used to walk (or crawl) up the rock, The posts and chain have been removed since then.

My Mum (who came with me on this trip), also visited Ayer’s Rock in the 1980’s and attempted the climb, she said there were no other attractions in Yulara at the time. So when people travelled all that way (usually by road on a tour bus too, not popping in via plane), the ‘thing’ to do was to try and climb the rock. But it being surprisingly steep, she (like many others) barely got partway up before coming back down.

Quite a few people died over the years via falling off the rock and I can see why, it’s such a long drop off and if you lose your footing there’s absolutely nothing to grab onto with nothing to cushion your fall either. I remember when the rock climb closure was on the news years ago and seeing the rush of people that went to Ayers Rock to try and climb it before it became illegal.

I’m not sure you’d get great photos from the top of Ayers Rock anyway. You can get a good view of the surrounding landscape from the plane when flying in. There are also scenic helicopter flights you can take.

Imalung Lookout at Yulara

Yulara is basically a loop road with all of the resorts, the camping facilities, grocery shop, post office, restaurants and petrol station. In the middle of it is a mound with a viewing platform you can see Uluru from.

Field of light

There are various activities associated with the rock that have restricted access viewing areas like the Sound of Silence dinner and the Field of Light. This photo was taken at sunset on the Field of Light tour. I shared more about the Field of Light in this post.

More of the Red Centre

• 4 day red centre itinerary (Ayers Rock, The Olgas, Kings Canyon)
• Self drive day trip to the Olgas (Kata Tjuṯa) from Yulara (plus the best walks in the area)
• Everything You Need to Know Before Visiting Kings Canyon in the Northern Territory (Including Budget & Itinerary)

Explore more of Australia

• 4 Day Itinerary in the Red Centre, Australia (Ayers Rock, The Olgas and Kings Canyon)
• Everything You Need to Know Before Visiting Kings Canyon in the Northern Territory (Including Budget & Itinerary)
• Day Trip to Rottnest Island from Perth, Western Australia
• Day trip to The Pinnacles from Perth (Western Australia)
• A Day at Wineglass Bay in Freycinet National Park & Coles Bay, Tasmania
• Skiing and snowshoeing at Thredbo: worth it or overrated?

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