No, you cannot climb Uluru
The climb has been closed since 26 October 2019, and the closure is permanent. It is not a temporary closure and it does not depend on the season, the heat or the weather. If you read that the climb is closed for now, that text is out of date.
Trying to climb is against the law. Parks Australia states that it is an offence under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act and that penalties apply. This guide does not give an amount for a fine.
Old photos with the chain, the summit view and the long queue show something that no longer exists as a visitor activity. Treat them as history, not as a plan.
Why the climb closed
The decision rests on Anangu law and responsibility for Country.
Uluru is sacred
For the Anangu, Uluru is a sacred place. Under Tjukurpa, the foundation of Anangu law and culture, climbing the rock was never generally permitted.
Anangu culture and Tjukurpa →The traditional owners decided
The park's board of management voted unanimously in November 2017 to end the climb. The date was set for 26 October 2019, the 34th anniversary of the handback of the land.
It is about care for Country
The closure protects culture and the Anangu responsibility for the land and for the people who visit. It is not mainly about accident prevention, and it should not be described that way.
Many visitors climbed in the past, and this page does not judge them. It simply reflects how things stand today.
Uluru experiences instead of the climb
Guided base walks, sunrise and sunset trips, helicopter flights and Kata Tjuta, with live prices and availability.
What you can do instead
The rock rewards time spent at its foot.
Walk the Base Walk
The loop around the rock is 10.6 km and takes about 3 hours 30 minutes. The closer you walk to the rock, the more you notice: caves, waterholes, textures, shade and silence.
Base Walk guide →Take a shorter walk
The Mala Walk to Kantju Gorge is 2 km return. The Kuniya Walk to the Mutitjulu Waterhole is 1 km return. A ranger-guided Mala walk is free with your park pass.
Watch sunrise or sunset
Viewing areas are set up around the park. Pick one for the evening and one for the morning.
Sunrise and sunset →Visit Kata Tjuta
The domes of Kata Tjuta are about 45 minutes from Yulara and have walks of their own.
Kata Tjuta guide →Go to the cultural centre
Plan at least 2 hours for exhibitions, the Tjukurpa Tunnel and the art galleries. It is open daily from 07:00 to 17:45.
Planning a visit without the climb
The practical side.
Uluru is about 20 minutes by car from Yulara. Ayers Rock Airport is about 10 minutes from the resort, and the road from Alice Springs is 465 km, around 5.5 hours of driving. See getting to Uluru and Yulara for the details.
Allow a full day for the rock itself: the Base Walk in the morning, the cultural centre around midday and a viewing area in the evening. In the hot months, do the walking early. Read the best time to visit page for the seasons.
What the rules mean for your visit
Respect continues past the climb.
Stay on marked tracks. Do not climb on boulders anywhere in the park, including at Kata Tjuta. Do not enter closed sacred sites. Some places around the base are not to be photographed, and signs mark them. See the Ayers Rock and Uluru guide for the names of those places, and the park pass page for entry costs: AUD 38 for 3 days for adults in 2026, free under 18.
You can also ask yourself what you want from the visit. Many people who come for the view find that the walk, the light and the culture are the part they remember.
Climbing Uluru: frequently asked questions
Can you still climb Uluru?
No. The climb closed permanently on 26 October 2019.
Why was the climb closed?
Uluru is sacred to the Anangu, and climbing it was never generally permitted under Tjukurpa. The park's board decided in November 2017 to end it, to protect culture and Country.
Is the climb closed only in summer or in hot weather?
No. It is closed all year, whatever the weather and the temperature.
What happens if someone tries to climb?
It is an offence against Australian law. Penalties apply. Do not attempt it.
What is the best alternative?
The Base Walk, if you have time and the weather allows. If it is too hot, the Mala Walk or a viewing area works well.