Sunset BBQ Day Tour, Sparkling Wine

A seven-hour day from Ayers Rock Resort with Emu Run Experience: a guided walk at the base of Uluru, commentary on the rock's significance to its Anangu owners, then a barbecue dinner as the light shifts at sunset.

Overview

This seven-hour day trip, run by Emu Run Experience, picks up at Ayers Rock Resort and takes in a full loop of Uluru experiences: the Cultural Centre, two guided base walks, and a sparkling-wine BBQ dinner while the rock changes colour at sunset. A coach with air conditioning handles the distances, and an accredited guide does the storytelling throughout.

The tour begins at the Uluru-Kata Tjuta Cultural Centre, which was built from 90,000 mud bricks alongside the local Anangu people. From there the group heads to Uluru itself for the Mala Walk along the north-west face, where the guide points out ancient rock art and shares Anangu stories. A short track then leads to the Mutitjulu Waterhole, a quiet spot tied to Wanampi, the ancestral water snake, and still connected to families living in the region today.

The finish is the part most travellers remember. As the sun drops, Uluru shifts through reds, oranges and purples while the group eats an Aussie BBQ dinner with a glass of bubbly at the coach sunset viewing area. One reviewer took the tour as a family of four with a nine-year-old and recommended it.

What's Included

Itinerary

1. Resort pickupHotel pickup from one of four Ayers Rock Resort locations, including Sails in the Desert, Desert Gardens Hotel, Ayers Rock Campground and the Outback Hotel. Drop-off returns to the same set of locations.
2. Cultural Centre visitA stop at the Uluru-Kata Tjuta Cultural Centre with free time to browse and a chance to buy authentic souvenirs. From 1 April 2026, tours no longer include the National Park Pass, so bring a copy of your own pass.
3. Guided Mala WalkInside the national park, the guide leads the Mala Walk along Uluru's north-west face, covering rock art and Anangu traditions. Climbing the rock is not permitted.
4. Mutitjulu WaterholeA short track leads to the waterhole, where the guide explains its significance to the Anangu and points out nearby rock-art caves.
5. Sunset BBQ dinnerAt the Uluṟu Coach Sunset Viewing Area the group has a BBQ dinner with sparkling wine and watches Uluru change colour as the sun sets, before the return transfer.

What To Expect From The Tour

A few practical points, drawn from the listing and from traveller reviews, will help the day run smoothly.

• Bring fly protection. Flies are a recurring theme in reviews, and one traveller specifically recommended a fly hood. The listing also suggests packing a flynet. It is cheap insurance for the walks and the sunset stop.
• Pack for sun. The listing asks for a wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, sturdy non-slip walking shoes and a reusable water bottle of about a litre. Light clothing suits summer and warm layers are advised in winter.
• Walks are easy. Two guided walks are included, and reviewers say the pace suited everyone, including a family with a nine-year-old. The Mutitjulu section is described as a short track rather than a hike.
• Dinner is generous. One reviewer was pleasantly surprised by the BBQ, noting the steak and sausage were well cooked and there was plenty to go around. Sparkling wine comes with the meal.
• Cash for art. The listing suggests bringing cash to buy dot paintings sold directly by artists at sunset.
• Heat affects plans. One reviewer found that extreme heat closed tracks early, which meant skipping the second walk. Summer travellers should build some flexibility into their expectations.

Common issues. The National Park Pass is a real extra cost to factor in, since tours from 1 April 2026 no longer include it and a digital or printed copy must be brought along. Heat can also disrupt the program, and one reviewer held back from the second walk when tracks closed early. A few travellers more generally would like more time at key stops and less time on the coach. Otherwise reviewers describe the day as well organized with guides who know their material.

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