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Uluru (Ayers Rock) sits in the Red Centre of Australia’s Northern Territory at 25.3 degrees south, where the climate is arid desert: hot summers, cool winter nights and roughly 280 to 300 mm of rain a year, most of it falling as short summer thunderstorms between December and March. This month by month breakdown gives you the real numbers for planning a trip, from January’s 38.5°C (101°F) highs to July nights that drop to 4°C (39°F). See the full Uluru guide for the complete picture.
Uluru Weather by Month: An Overview
Uluru has two seasons in practice, not four. The hot season runs October to March, when daytime highs sit between 31°C and 39°C (88 to 102°F) and afternoon storms can dump 40 mm of rain in an hour. The cool season runs April to September, when highs are a comfortable 20 to 29°C (68 to 84°F), nights drop to near or below freezing in June and July, and skies stay clear for weeks at a time. Sunshine is generous all year, averaging 9 to 10 hours a day, and UV levels are extreme in every month, which shapes the things to do in Uluru at any time of year.
Uluru Weather by Month: Summer (December to February)
Summer is the hottest and wettest stretch. January averages 38.5°C (101°F) by day and 22.7°C (73°F) at night, and days above 40°C (104°F) happen several times a month. Rainfall peaks now at 36 to 42 mm per month, arriving as afternoon and evening thunderstorms that can flood the Lasseter Highway for short periods. If you visit in summer, plan walks for sunrise and return indoors by 11 am, and carry at least 3 litres of water per person per day, the packing list in our Uluru travel tips guide covers this in detail.
Uluru Weather by Month: Autumn (March to May)
Autumn is the shoulder season when the heat eases fast. March still averages 33.8°C (93°F) but by May the high drops to 23.4°C (74°F) and nights fall to 9.5°C (49°F). Rainfall tapers from 35 mm in March to 16 mm in May. This is one of the best windows to visit: mornings are mild, flies have thinned out, and the base walk is comfortable from about 8 am onward. It is also when the Uluru events and festivals calendar starts to fill up.
Uluru Weather by Month: Winter (June to August)
Winter brings clear blue skies and cold nights. July is the coolest month with a 20.3°C (69°F) high and a 4.0°C (39°F) low, and frosts are common on clear mornings. Rainfall bottoms out at 9 to 12 mm a month, so rain rarely interrupts plans. You will need a jacket and beanie for sunrise and sunset viewing, which start as early as 6:30 am. Days are short and crisp, ideal for the full 10.6 km base walk, and most visitors combine it with a night or two in the where to stay in Uluru resort options.
Uluru Weather by Month: Spring (September to November)
Spring warms quickly and dry skies return. September averages 27.6°C (82°F) by day and 10.1°C (50°F) at night, but by November the high is 34.7°C (94°F) and nights sit at 18.6°C (65°F). October is the real transition month, with the first 40°C days possible and the first storm fronts of the wet season arriving late. September and October are excellent for photography, with clean air and vivid sunsets, and the wider areas around Uluru are at their most comfortable to explore.
Uluru Weather by Month: Climate Data Table
| Month | Avg High | Avg Low | Rainfall (mm) |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 38.5°C / 101°F | 22.7°C / 73°F | 40 |
| February | 36.5°C / 98°F | 22.1°C / 72°F | 42 |
| March | 33.8°C / 93°F | 19.2°C / 67°F | 35 |
| April | 28.9°C / 84°F | 14.3°C / 58°F | 17 |
| May | 23.4°C / 74°F | 9.5°C / 49°F | 16 |
| June | 19.9°C / 68°F | 5.8°C / 42°F | 16 |
| July | 20.3°C / 69°F | 4.0°C / 39°F | 12 |
| August | 23.0°C / 73°F | 6.1°C / 43°F | 9 |
| September | 27.6°C / 82°F | 10.1°C / 50°F | 11 |
| October | 31.6°C / 89°F | 14.9°C / 59°F | 18 |
| November | 34.7°C / 94°F | 18.6°C / 65°F | 26 |
| December | 37.2°C / 99°F | 21.2°C / 70°F | 36 |
Uluru Weather by Month: Sunshine, UV and Rainfall
- Sunshine: 9 to 10 hours a day in every month, with over 3,000 hours of sun a year, among the highest in Australia.
- UV index: 10 to 12 (extreme) year round. Wear SPF 50+ and a hat even in July.
- Rainfall: 280 to 300 mm a year, falling on roughly 40 days, most of it in brief summer downpours.
- Humidity: low, usually 20 to 40 percent, so heat feels less oppressive than on the coast, but dehydration is faster.
For the overall verdict on which months to book, read our best time to visit Uluru guide.
