We require 10 people on our tour to operate, but we typically host between 40 to 50 guests each night. The experience is delivered in both English and Chinese, with the group usually split between the two language groups.
Yes, children aged 6 and over are very welcome! The tour is designed with an adult audience in mind, and since it starts about an hour after sunset, it can feel cold and late for some children. That said, we love inspiring the next generation of astronomers. The bus remains open throughout the evening, so younger guests can head back for a rest or warm-up at any time during the tour.
No, you don’t need a National Park Pass for this tour. We operate under a special permit that allows us to access the park after it closes to the general public.
No, we don’t provide food on the tour but you’re very welcome to bring your own snacks and a drink bottle, especially during the warmer months. We also recommend bringing water, as we do not supply it on the tour.
This tour depends on the weather, so we’ll check the forecast on the day and get in touch before 2pm to let you know what things are looking like. If it’s still uncertain, we’ll send a final update closer to the tour—usually about an hour before it starts.
If we do have to cancel, you’ll be able to reschedule or get a refund. Just a heads-up: credit card surcharges and booking fees aren’t refundable when booking directly through our website.
Yes! Our tour runs from the Uluru Coach Sunset area, where there are drop toilets available for guests to use.
Our tour operates inside the Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, and we offer pickups from the following locations at Ayers Rock Resort:
Desert Gardens Hotel (also the pickup point for guests staying at the Emu Walk Apartments)
Sails in the Desert (also the pickup point for guests staying at The Lost Camel)
Ayers Rock Campground (bus stop)
The Outback Hotel & Lodge
Yes! Our tour runs from the Uluru Coach Sunset Viewing area, offering a stunning view of Uluru beneath the stars. On bright moonlit nights, Uluru glows beautifully under the moonlight. On darker nights, you’ll see its silhouette rising against the starry sky. Depending on the season and lighting, you might even be lucky enough to capture a photo of Uluru beneath the stars!
Yes, the moon can impact sky visibility. Around the full moon, the sky is brighter, which can make it harder to see faint stars and the Milky Way. However, it’s a great time to view the moon itself through our telescopes! For darker skies and more stars, we recommend booking near the new moon.
We take a professional photo of each guest or group at no extra charge. Each member of your group is eligible to receive one photo, so if you're a group of 5, you'll receive 5 individual or group photos in total.
If you'd like to purchase additional photos, they're available for $20 each. Please email booking@atrip.com.au to enquire about extra photos.
No, our guides are not professional astronomers, they’re passionate and knowledgeable tour guides trained in both cultural and scientific storytelling of the night sky. They’re here to make the stars accessible, engaging, and inspiring for everyone.
Around 48 hours after your tour, we’ll send you a link to a shared Flickr album with everyone who joined the tour on the same night. The album will include your group’s photo, plus a few beautiful, high-quality star photos from previous tours (without guests).
The photos are high-resolution and downloadable, which is why we can’t send them directly as email attachments.
If you’d prefer to receive your photo in a private album, please email us at booking@atrip.com.au. You can read more about the private photo link in our FAQ titled “What is the Private Photo Link”.
By default, your complimentary photo will be sent in a shared Flickr album with other guests from your tour night. If you’d prefer a private album with only your group’s photo, you can purchase a Private Photo Link for $20 via our website or by emailing booking@atrip.com.au with your booking name.
To help us identify your photo, please send us one of the following:
A photo of yourself from the night
A photo of the iPad screen when your photo is shown on tour
A description of what you and your group were wearing
If you remember on the night, you can also let the photographer know your name and that you’ve purchased a Private Photo Link.
Purchased by mistake? No problem! We’re happy to refund it, just email us.
Our tour is offered in English and Chinese (Mandarin). We have both an English-speaking guide and a Mandarin-speaking guide on site each night to ensure all guests can enjoy the experience. You don’t need to specify your language when booking—once you arrive, guests will split into separate language groups before the tour begins.
Absolutely! Guests are welcome to bring their own cameras. In fact, some guests join our tour specifically to take advantage of our special after-hours permit, which allows exclusive access to the national park at night.
You’re welcome to join in the guided activities at any time—or simply enjoy the opportunity to capture the night sky in this unique setting.
The Milky Way is visible during most of the year on our tours from March to early November. Like the sun and moon, the Milky Way rises and sets and shifts position in the sky throughout the night and across the seasons.
April–May: The Milky Way will rise directly above Uluru—just like in the iconic photos you might have seen!
June–August: The Milky Way climbs high overhead and is at its brightest and clearest. Winter is the best time for Milky Way viewing, thanks to the crisp, cold desert skies.
September–Early November: The Milky Way begins to move west and eventually sets earlier in the evening.
From November to January, we do not see the Milky Way during tour hours—but summer is planet season! Expect to see bright planets like Jupiter and Saturn, along with striking constellations like Orion.
Early riser? The sky you see before sunrise is the opposite to what’s visible at night. If you're heading out on a sunrise tour, we recommend checking out a stargazing app (like Sky Tonight or Star Walk) to see what constellations and planets will be above the eastern horizon in the early morning.
No matter when you visit, there’s always something incredible to see in the night sky!
Our stargazing location is at the Uluru Coach Sunset Viewing Area (in the Uluru and Kata- Tjuta National Park) which is one of the closest public viewing spots to Uluru, just a few kilometres away. You’ll have a stunning, unobstructed view of Uluru during the tour, whether it’s glowing under moonlight or silhouetted beneath the stars.
It’s the perfect spot to experience both the night sky and the majesty of Uluru together.
No, self-driving is not permitted. Our tour operates with a special after-hours permit that allows us to access the National Park once it closes for the evening. The only other groups allowed in the park after hours are an outdoor dining experience by AAT Kings and the residents of the Aboriginal community in Mutitjulu, which is located within the park.
All guests must join the tour via our complimentary hotel pick-up service from Ayers Rock Resort.
Here’s what we recommend bringing to stay safe and comfortable during your stargazing experience:
Enclosed shoes - especially important in summer, as snakes are more active at night in the desert
Water bottle - we don’t provide food or water on the tour, so please come prepared
In the cooler months (May - Sept), it gets very cold in the desert at night. Be sure to bring:
A warm jacket
Long pants
Beanie and gloves – the more layers, the better!
Yes, depending on the timing of your earlier tour. Our stargazing experience is scheduled to start after most standard sunset tours without dinner, so many guests are able to join us afterward.
However, if you're booked on Field of Light, Sounds of Silence, or another dinner-inclusive experience, you likely won’t have enough time to join our tour the same night. Uluru Camel Tours and Kata Tjuta Sunset Tours by AAT Kings can also be a tight squeeze.
We recommend booking any dinner experiences on a different night to your Uluru Astro Tour, to ensure a relaxed and enjoyable evening.
If you're coming straight from another activity, you may not have time for a sit-down meal, so we suggest grabbing something earlier in the day from the IGA in the Town Square, such as a sandwich or pie, to enjoy before or at the stargazing site.
Please note: we kindly ask that guests do not eat on the bus. The drive to our site is approximately 15 minutes, and once we arrive, you're welcome to enjoy any light snacks.
Our tours generally depart around one hour after sunset, but exact pick-up times vary throughout the year. Here’s a guide to our typical first pick-up times by month:
January: 8:50 PM
February: 8:40 PM – 8:30 PM
March: 8:20 PM – 8:10 PM
April: 8:00 PM – 7:50 PM
May: 7:40 PM
June & July: 7:30 PM
August: 7:40 PM
September: 7:50 PM
October: 8:00 PM – 8:10 PM
November: 8:20 PM – 8:30 PM
December: 8:40 PM – 8:50 PM
When the moon is bright, we may adjust the timing slightly to either catch a darker sky for photos or to be in position for moonrise.
The most accurate pick-up time for your tour will be shown when booking on our website, and we’ll also email you on the day of your tour to confirm the exact time.
We offer two pricing tiers based on moon brightness and sky visibility:
$109 — for evenings when the moon is bright (above 90% illumination for more than 50% of the tour). The moonlight can reduce how many stars are visible, but it’s a great time to view the moon itself through the telescope and watch Uluru shine under the moonlight.
$129 — for evenings with a darker night sky, when the moon is less visible or has not yet risen. These nights offer better views of the Milky Way and fainter stars.
No matter which night you join, your guide will tailor the experience to highlight the best features in the sky!
Our tour is not wheelchair accessible, as our buses are not equipped to accommodate wheelchairs on board. However, guests with limited mobility may still be able to join us if they are able to:
Climb up and down 5 steps to board and exit the bus
Walk approximately 200 meters on mostly flat ground
The tour takes place in a large, flat car park area with some sandy sections. Fold-up prams or wheelchairs can be stored on the bus if needed, but please note that the ground may not be suitable for all mobility aids.
We’re happy to chat further if you’re unsure. Please feel free to contact us to discuss your needs by emailing booking@atrip.com.au.
