Uluru Base Walk 24-05-2025
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Route: Mala Car Park, Mala Walk, Kulpi Nyiinkaku, Kulpi Watiku, Mala Puta, Kulpi Minymaku, Kantju Gorge, Base Walk, Uluru Road, Base Walk, Kuniya Piti, Base Walk South, Kuniya Walk, Muṯitjulu Waterhouse, Lungkata Walk, Mala Car Park
Date: 24/05/2025
From: Mala Car Park
Parking: Mala Car Park
Start Point: Mala Walk
Finish Point: Mala Car Park
Region: Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park
Route length: 11.0 km
Time taken: 02:45
Average speed: 4.5 km/h
Ascent: 56m
Descent: 55m
Points of Interest: Mala Walk, Kantju Gorge, Muṯitjulu Waterhole
One of the Australia’s most iconic walks, the base walk around the world-famous Uluṟu. The giant sandstone monolith, rising to a height of 348m, is one of the world's natural wonders, and it has long been on my list of things to see while we are in Australia. Despite being located in the heart of Australia's Red Centre, Uluṟu is easily accessible thanks to the fact it has its own airport; Ayers Rock Connellan, with direct flights from the major east coast cities.
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| Uluṟu seen from the Sunset Viewing Area |
Aside from the range of guided tours departing from the nearby town of Yulara, one of the most authentic ways to experience Uluṟu is on foot. The Base Walk is a 10 km trail that circumnavigates the entire rock, offering an intimate encounter with this iconic landmark while visiting all the important sites. Walking the Base Walk allows you to appreciate Uluṟu’s sheer scale, examine the Aboriginal rock art sites and observe the ever-changing colours of the sandstone at different times of day.
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| The shifting colours after sunset |
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| A striking red sunrise — the view from the Kata Tjuta Sunrise Viewing Area |
It's best to begin your hike at the Mala car park, as it's the largest of the parking areas located around the base of Uluṟu. If you are visiting in the summer, then it's essential to begin in the early morning, while it’s cool. Facing the rock, the Mala Walk begins off to the left.
Before we get into the hike, you need to be aware that some tracks close at 11 am when the forecast or actual temperature reaches 36 degrees Celsius and above. If you are visiting during the summer, make sure you start hiking in the cool early morning and carry plenty of water. You'll also need a pass to enter the National Park, which will set you back $38 per person for 3 days (as of 2025).
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| Uluṟu from the Mala Car Park—this is where people used to climb the rock before it was closed in 2019 |
As you begin the Mala Walk, you'll find informative signs and displays about the significance of Uluṟu to the Aṉangu people, the Aboriginal group (comprising several distinct 'tribes') who are the traditional custodians of the area.
The Mala Walk is rich in Aṉangu culture, with numerous rock art sites and caves. The Mala Walk is relatively flat and easy, making it accessible for all fitness levels. It also visits some of the best sites around Uluṟu so, if you're pressed for time, this is the part for you.
Along the Mala Walk, you'll pass by the Kulpi Nyiinkaku and Kulpi Watiku teaching caves, where the Aṉangu elders educated young men in traditional law and customs. You'll also see Kulpi Minymaku — Kitchen Cave, where generations of Aṉangu women prepared food under an extraordinary wave-like rock overhang. The Mala Walk culminates at Kantju Gorge, a place of stunning natural beauty.
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| The beginning of the Mala Walk |
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| Mala Walk |
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| Kulpi Nyiinkaku |
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| Rock art inside the teaching cave |
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| Kulpi Watiku—senior men's teaching cave |
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| There are plenty of dry gullies across the face |
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| Mala Walk |
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| Kulpi Minymaku — Kitchen Cave |
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| Inside Kulpi Minymaku |
The gorge is a natural amphitheatre with steep walls that create a cool, shaded environment. During the rare occasions it rains, you may be lucky enough to see the waterfall cascading down the rock face. The gorge is also home to several caves with cultural significance, including the Mala Puta (Wave Cave), which features ancient rock art. The gorges' steep walls and unique rock formations create a dramatic and awe-inspiring landscape.
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| Approaching Kantju Gorge |
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| Kantju Gorge |
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| The textured surface of Uluṟu |
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| The dry waterfall and waterhole in Kantju Gorge |
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| Kantju Gorge |
Uluṟu is situated in one of Australia's driest regions, receiving approximately 300 mm of rain annually. During these rare downpours, water streams down the rock's crevices, creating temporary waterfalls that dramatically alter its appearance. This is a phenomenon witnessed by only about 1% of visitors and, luckily for us, our visit coincided with some unseasonal rain. |
| Kantju Gorge in full flow — a few days after our Base Walk |
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| The waterfall in Kantju Gorge |
From Kantju Gorge, you'll need to retrace your steps back to Kulpi Minymaku and head north-west to the road. This marks the beginning of the longest open stretch of the Uluṟu base walk, running from Kitchen Cave on the Mala Walk to Kuniya Piti, the eastern corner of Uluṟu. The track distances itself from the rock as it passes parallel to the north face.
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| Kantju Gorge seen from the road |
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| Uluru Road |
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| Blue skies on the Base Walk |
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| Base Walk track |
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| The northern side of Uluṟu |
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| Water and chemical weathering in action |
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| Base Walk |
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| The expansive desert of Central Australia |
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| Uluṟu |
At the eastern end of Uluṟu is Kuniya Piti, an important site for Aṉangu. The Kuniya story forms the foundational belief system of Aṉangu people, encompassing their law, history, and morality. It marks the beginning of the southern section of the Base Walk towards Muṯitjulu Waterhole.
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| Beautiful desert skies |
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| On the south side of Uluṟu |
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| One of the many dry gullies that form on the steep rock |
The shaded south side is very quiet with the path passing a number of gorges, dry waterfalls and waterholes. At one point the Base Walk track gets right up to the foot of the rock where you can stand and gaze up at its immense proportions.
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| The Base Walk gets up close to Uluṟu |
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| Uluṟu |
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| Uluṟu |
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| The beautiful wavy walls |
Towards the western end is the Muṯitjulu Waterhole, a near-permanent water source that has sustained life in this arid region for thousands of years. The waterhole is surrounded by lush vegetation, providing a stark contrast to the red desert landscape. It's a haven for wildlife, and you might spot birds and other animals coming to drink. It is also one of the park's busiest areas, but is often quiet at sunrise, sunset, and lunchtime.
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| Kuniya Walk |
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| Muṯitjulu Waterhole |
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| Muṯitjulu Waterhole after some decent rain |
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| Muṯitjulu Waterhole |
The rock formations here are believed to represent Muṯitjulu (the woma python woman) and Liru (the poisonous brown snake man) in their deadly battle, leaving evidence of their struggle all around.
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| The dark patterns are interpreted as Kuniyas travels across the rock |
Between Mutitjulu Waterhole and the Mala Car Park is the Lungkata Walk. This section of the hike is named after the blue-tongue lizard man, Lungkata, and is steeped in Aṉangu lore. It is one of the most geologically impressive and visually diverse sections of the Uluṟu Base Walk, as it passes around the southern point at Pulari and heads north-west to Mala car park.
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| Lungkata Walk |
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| Uluṟu |
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| Uluṟu |
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| The Lungkata Walk passes the location where the story of Lungkata culminates |
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| The western side of Uluṟu |
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| Uluṟu |
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| Hanging gullies on Uluṟu |
Back on the sunny west side of the rock, the path passes a number of large hanging gullies on the steep sides before it reaches the Mala Car Park once again. As I mentioned earlier, the Mala Car Park was the starting point for people wishing to climb Uluru. The climb was closed from 26 October 2019.
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| Lungkata Walk |
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| Uluṟu |
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| The beginning of the former climbing route to the top of Uluṟu |
The Uluṟu Base Walk is a special hike. Walking in the shadow of this ancient monolith, you’re drawn into its immense presence. I arrived with high expectations, yet the experience still managed to surpass them. Getting up close to one of the world’s natural wonders is an unforgettable experience,making this one but also one of the most rewarding hikes I’ve ever done.
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