Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park has earned a place among the world’s best golden hour destinations in a new global ranking.
Australia’s much-loved Northern Territory icon, Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, ranked joint eighth in the world for its incredible sunsets in new research from travel brand Kuoni, making it the highest-ranking destination in Oceania.
How was the ranking decided?
Scoring 88.22 out of 100, Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park tied with California’s San Joaquin Valley. The study assessed 165 global destinations using a weighted index developed in partnership with Jim Dale, founder and senior meteorologist at British Weather Services.
Rather than relying on social media popularity, the ranking considered six factors: cloud cover, light pollution, artificial brightness, rainfall, wind speed and average sunset duration. Its weather data draws on five-year historical averages, so conditions will still vary on any given evening.
Uluru is magnificent from any angle at any time. (Image: Emily Murphy)
Where else made the ranking?
Taking out the top spot was Wadi Rum in Jordan, with a score of 95.92 out of 100, followed by Sossusvlei and Damaraland in Namibia. Australia also secured another place in the top 20, with South Australia’s Flinders Ranges ranking 14th with a score of 86.70 out of 100.
The two Australian entries offer a compelling reason to look inland for your next sunset escape. While coastal views often get the attention, the landscapes of Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park and the Flinders Ranges offer something different: rugged rock formations with colours that change in fading light. They’re also known for delivering epic sunrises, so we’d suggest making a day of it to ensure you don’t miss any of the magic.
Need tips, more detail or itinerary ideas tailored to you? Ask AT.
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How to experience the best of Uluru
Located in the heart of the Red Centre on Anangu land, within the stunning Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, the enormous sandstone monolith has been sacred to the Yankunytjatjara and Pitjantjatjara people as a living cultural landscape for millennia and attracts more than 250,000 people each year, according to Parks Australia.
Although sunset and sunrise are the money-making times to see Uluru, it’s a magnificent site to behold from any angle at any time. The rock formation cuts its shape through the blue sky with ease; its browns, reds and oranges change hue throughout the day depending on the light.
Uluru is named on a global list of the most beautiful destinations to watch a sunset. (Image: Anson Smart Photography)
Wintjiri Wiru offers another way to experience Uluru after dark. The storytelling experience has been a major calling card for tourists, especially those who want to experience the site through a First Nations lens. The captivating show tells a chapter of the ancestral Mala story using drones, light and sound.
Wintjiri Wiru has attracted new and returning visitors as well.
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Taylah Darnell is Australian Traveller's Writer & Producer. She has been passionate about writing since she learnt to read, spending many hours either lost in the pages of books or attempting to write her own. This life-long love of words...
Be invigorated by the sights, sounds and landscapes of the Northern Territory.
If your 2026 travel goals focus on visiting inspiring and meaningful destinations, look no further than the Northern Territory. Rich in Indigenous culture, national parks and unique local cuisine, a journey deep into the Red Centre and Top End will awaken all your senses and leave you with lifelong memories. But you don’t need to do it on your own, as AAT Kings’ Small Group tours offer expertly led itineraries. They’re designed to take the guesswork out of travel planning and help you access remote regions in comfort while connecting with fellow guests, allowing you to delve deeper into destinations with insights from knowledgeable Travel Directors and local Indigenous guides.
As Small Group tours with AAT Kings have an average of just 16 guests, there’s ample opportunity to ask questions and make meaningful connections on every visit. Here are just a few of the experiences on offer, with adventures designed to invigorate every sense.
1. Under a Desert Moon dinner
Watch the stars come out over five courses.
Over five courses, dine under the stars during an unforgettable Outback dining experience. As day fades to night, lit only by the moon and the crackling fire, this outdoor dinner features locally sourced seasonal produce, matched with Australian wines.
It’s an intimate experience, showcasing the quiet grandeur of the Outback after nightfall. As you dine, feel connected to the land and its unique flavours, introduced by your impeccable waitstaff.
Part of the Northern Territory Dreaming tour, the Under a Desert Moon dinner is the ideal way to connect with your small group of fellow travellers after an invigorating day in the Red Centre.
2. Karrke Aboriginal Cultural Experience
Learn stories of the Red Centre at Karrke. (Image: Tourism & Events NT/ 75vibes)
The best way to learn the stories of the Red Centre is by connecting with the land’s Traditional Owners. At the Karrke Aboriginal Cultural Experience, visited on AAT Kings Northern Territory Dreaming and Outback Contrasts tours, you’ll meet with members of the local Wanmarra community in Kings Canyon.
On this immersive AAT Kings MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience you’ll walk on Country to learn firsthand about bush tucker, Indigenous medicine, wooden artefacts and the art of dot painting. Passionate guides will share stories that have been passed down for generations.
3. Kungkas Can Cook
Taste local bush delicacies. (Image: Tourism & Events NT/ Mel Brautigam)
The powerful senses of smell and taste are awakened on this exclusive experience led by Indigenous chef Rayleen Brown. Included in the Northern Territory Dreaming and Outback Contrasts tours, this is a unique opportunity to savour local bush delicacies and learn about Indigenous culture through the lens of food.
Brown, a recipe author and guest judge for MasterChef Australia, works solely with native ingredients directly harvested by women from the Alice Springs community. It’s a 100 per cent Indigenous owned and run business.
4. Karlu Karlu (Devils Marbles)
See striking Karlu Karlu. (Image: Tourism & Events NT/ Dom And Jesso)
Appearing out of nowhere, the huge granite boulders of Karlu Karlu seem to precariously balance on the barren Outback landscape. You’ll come across these geological formations as you cruise the Stuart Highway on the Northern Territory Explorer tour.
Your AAT Kings Travel Director will share expert insight on the history and culture of Karlu Karlu, recognised as a sacred site of the Warumungu people. As you walk in awe amongst these stunning formations, formed many millennia ago, you’ll hear some of the stories behind why this place is so important to Indigenous storytelling and culture.
5. Pudakul
Experience this family-owned Indigenous experience. (Images: Tourism & Events NT/ Helen Orr)
Make authentic cultural connections when you visit Pudakul, a family-owned Indigenous experience on the Adelaide River Flood Plains. On your Small Group Northern Territory Explorer tour your senses will be inspired by the sounds of First Nations music, the taste of local bush tucker and the beauty of art.
This AAT Kings MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience is designed to take you deeper into the destination, helping guests learn from the people of the Limilngan-Wulna Land.
6. Corroboree Billabong Wetland Cruise
Spot the wildlife of the billabong. (Image: Tourism & Events NT)
Observing the unique wildlife of the Northern Territory – from formidable crocs to hearing gentle melodies from the many endemic bird species – is always one of the most memorable parts of your Northern Territory Dreaming tour.
Travel in the comfort of your premium coach, taking in the stunning landscapes, before arriving at Corroboree Billabong. This special place is part of the Mary River Wetlands and is home to the world’s largest concentration of saltwater crocodiles. Your comfortable boat is designed to maximise wildlife viewing, giving you a front row seat to this spectacular ecosystem.
7. Aboriginal Bush Traders
Visit for the art, stay for a bite. (Image: Tourism & Events NT/ Shaana McNaught)
A visit to Aboriginal Bush Traders is the ideal introduction to the vibrant city of Darwin. This non-profit gallery, cafe and retail space supports Indigenous employment and is the perfect place to find a curated selection of ethical Indigenous gifts, including artwork and organic skincare.
Your Northern Territory Top End National Parks and Northern Territory Dreaming tours include an exclusive native flavour tasting, offering cultural insight before travelling deeper into the Top End.
8. Leliyn (Edith Falls)
Cool off at Leliyn (Edith Falls). (Image: Tourism & Events NT/ As We Wander)
There’s something about a mighty waterfall that invigorates the soul like nothing else, with the picturesque Leliyn (Edith Falls) the perfect place to refresh on a hot day.
On your Northern Territory Top End National Parks and Northern Territory Dreaming visit to Nitmiluk National Park, known for its epic sandstone gorges, you’ll pay a visit to the oasis that is Leliyn. It’s the ideal place for a swim, but it’s also home to ancient Indigenous rock art. And as your Travel Director will explain, it’s an impressive place of cultural significance, too.
