What to Pack For Uluru: Simple & Practical Packing List

What do you need to pack for Uluru?

Put simply, you’ll need clothes that can be layered to deal with the fluctuating temperature, shoes that are suitable to walking, accessories that will help you deal with the harsh sun and other equipment to capture those special moments

We did a lot of research before our recent trip to the red centre, and on our four-day adventure found what we packed for Uluru to be perfect – not too much, but also nothing missing.

This is not going to be one of those lists detailing every single item to try and make you buy stuff (I hate those too), more a general overview of what you need, honing on specific items that we found to be particularly useful.

P.S. – if you find any of the recommendations on this list helpful, please purchase them using the links. I get a small commission (which helps keep the site running) and you don’t pay any more than you would otherwise – the very definition of a win/win!

What To Pack For Uluru: Complete, Simple List

Here is the complete and simple list of things to take to Uluru, which is easy for you to browse and tick off.

• Clothing
  • Enough underwear and socks for the days you’re away (I’d add +1 here, as you might want to shower and change halfway through a hot day)
  • At least one long-sleeved top to cover up from the sun
  • Short sleeve t-shirts (ideally wicking ones for the heat)
  • A sweatshirt or fleece for the colder evenings
  • Long trousers (to cover up from the sun and for avoiding bites)
  • Shorts
  • Swimming gear (there are pools at a couple of the hotels)
  • Sturdy walking shoes/trainers
  • Flip flops (for around camp)
  • Rain poncho (if the weather suggests you’ll need it)
  • Sunglasses
  • Hat
• Accessories
  • Day rucksack
  • Head torch
  • Portable charger
  • Water bottle
  • Fly net
  • Chargers for electronic devices
• Toiletries
  • All your usual stuff (this is quite personal, and impossible to cover everything)
  • Sun screen
  • After sun
  • Bug repellant
  • Bite cream

Uluru Packing List: Clothing

As I said in the intro, I’m not going into detail on every single item you’ll need, just give you a quick, easy to browse list, then follow up with a few specifics on the items that I think are ‘must-haves’ to the unforgiving Uluru climate.

It’s worth noting that the red dust can get everywhere, so Uluru is not a place to bring new or expensive clothing. I took boots which were nearly 12 years old and nearing the end of their life, and tried to wear slightly darker clothes, so they didn’t get stained.

Uluru Clothing Quick List

• Enough underwear and socks for the days you’re away (I’d add +1 here, as you might want to shower and change halfway through a hot day)
• At least one long-sleeved top to cover up from the sun
• Short sleeve t-shirts (ideally wicking ones for the heat)
• A sweatshirt or fleece for the colder evenings
• Long trousers (to cover up from the sun and for avoiding bites)
• Shorts
• Swimming gear (there are pools at a couple of the hotels)
• Sturdy walking shoes/trainers
• Flip flops (for around camp)
• Rain poncho (if the weather suggests you’ll need it)
• Sunglasses
• Hat

Uluru Clothing Specifics

Long Sleeve Top and Long Trousers

Long sleeved tops and long trousers are crucial, especially in the summer at Uluru where temperatures can reach 45°C. Yes, you’ll be slightly hotter, but you won’t be burnt or bitten, and that’s definitely more important.

You can find t-shirts built for hot weather through a Google search, but my personal favourites come from the Carharrt Force range, this stuff is really built to last.

If you’re looking some something a bit cheaper, UNIQLO is my go to. I wore their HEATTECH range whilst we were in Uluru (it’s technically meant for cold weather, but we were there in winter, so it was the perfect balance). They have ranges for men and women.

Sturdy Footwear

If you do the hike around the base of Uluru you’ll need some decent footwear, whether that’s boots, walking sandals or trainers.

If you’re just planning to take tours out to the viewpoints, you’ll be fine with just your regular shoes.

Hat

I’m not a big hat wearer, but even I took a hat to Uluru!

There isn’t a lot of natural protection from the sun (well, outside the shade of the huge rock!), so you’ll need something to keep the rays off of your head and out of your eyes.

Sunglasses

Another somewhat obvious mention, but again one not to be without.

I didn’t understand before coming to Australia just how much damage the intense sun here can do to your eyes. I wasn’t a big sunglasses wearer before, I am now!

Uluru Packing List: Accessories

Uluru Accessories Quick List

• Day rucksack
• Head torch
• Portable charger
• Water bottle
• Fly net
• Chargers for electronic devices

Uluru Accessories Specifics

Fly Net

Number one on the ‘unusual things to pack for Uluru’ list, is a fly net.

Flies at Uluru can be a real problem, (September to April are the worst months, but click through the link for a full guide) so a fly net is a must-have to keep the worst of them away.

They are cheap, and small to pack, so there’s really no reason not to.

Water Bottle

You’ll need a decent sized water bottle to stay hydrated in the dry days in the desert, but also one that will keep you water cool.

I’ve had the same bottle for five years now. Unfortunately the exact model I bought is no longer available, but it was very similar to the one below – stainless steel, with a double walled design that keeps my water cool even sitting in my car on a hot Aussie day.

Head Torch

It gets very dark out at night in the desert.

Whilst the camps around Yulara are well lit, I took a couple of walks up to Imalung Lookout for sunrise views, and am glad a decent head torch with me, so I didn’t have to hold my phone the whole time.

I think Black Diamond head torches are fantastic. They are SO bright, and solid as anything. Whilst mine mostly gets used for ‘possum spotting’ walks around our local block, it is also well travelled, and has not let me down yet.

Day Pack

If you’re bringing a suitcase to Uluru, don’t forget to put in a day pack of some kind.

You’ll need a small bag to take with you out on tours, and especially important if you’re doing the walks to have something you can store water, snacks, sun cream and extra layers of clothes in.

If you don’t want to take a full rucksack, packable day packs are brilliant, and hardly take up any space in your luggage.

Portable Charger

You’ll probably be spending a lot of time out on tours or walking whilst at Uluru, so a portable charger is vital to keep your devices up and running so you can take all the photos you need!

Uluru Packing List: Toiletries

I’m not going to list out every one of the toiletries you need here as it’s such a personal list, I’d be unlikely to cover everything, instead I’ve picked out a few specifics you’ll want to include.

Uluru Toiletries Specifics

Sun Screen

Yes, this might seem obvious, but don’t overlook it, the sun cream on offer at the shops in Yulara is very expensive.

After Sun

If you do get caught out, having some after sun on hand is also very useful.

Bug Repellant

Whilst bug repellant doesn’t generally keep away flies, it is pretty good at keeping away the kind of insects that bite.

Pick something high in DEET – we’ve used Ben’s (and not just because of the awesome name), in places like the Thai jungle, and found it to be effective. They do wipes too, if you want something easy to slip into a bag.

Bite Cream

If you’re at Uluru in the hot Australian summer, you’ll also be in peak bitey insect season. The long sleeved clothing and bug repellant will keep some of them away, but for the ones that get through, it’s best to pack some after-bike to sooth the skin.

Uluru Packing List: Photography

If you’re a photographer, you’ll have your own list of kit, I’m sure (to find out everything I use, click here) but there are some specific pieces of kit you’ll find useful for Uluru.

Follow me on Instagram @TheSabbaticalGuide

Uluru Photography Kit List

Lens for Astrophotography

The stars are incredible out here, but to get a photo of them, you’ll need two things, a tripod (see next slide) and a fast lens with a wide angle.

I use a Fuji X-T3 as my main camera, and have found this cheap Samyang lens to be perfect for astrophotography. It’s a manual focus (which doesn’t really matter when you’re shooting the stars as you just set it at the maximum distance), wide angle and f/2.0 allows lots of light in, shortening the shutter speed.

READ NEXT: My Complete Guide to Astrophotography

Tripod

A tripod is useful at Uluru both for astrophotography and those classic sunrise and sunset shots, where the light is too dim to hand hold your camera.

The first tripod I bought is still the one I have, a Neewer from Amazon.

It might not be the most sturdy or lightest tripod in the world, but if you use it rarely (like me) and aren’t a pro, it’s a great place to start.

Camera Dust Cover

I would suggest buying a proper cover for your camera whilst at Uluru, as the dust can get everywhere.

I use these cheap JJC rain covers when travelling, but the also worked perfect to keep the dust off, as they can be sealed around the lens.

Finishing Up – Uluru Tours

Before we finish up, it is best to book Uluru tours in advance, as many sell out in advance.

Here are some of the best Uluru tours which you can prepay for, so you don’t need to worry.