Car hire at Uluṟu — Ayers Rock, Kata Tjuta and the distances between

Cheapest rate today, by vehicle class in Uluṟu - Ayers Rock
The World Heritage Site of Uluṟu, located in the Uluṟu-Kata Tjuta National Park, is one of Australia’s most iconic landmarks. A six-hour drive to the south-west of Alice Springs, the area is rich in the indigenous cultures of Australia’s First People. Finding a reliable hire car for your journey to Uluṟu is easy with VroomVroomVroom, as we compare competitive rates of local providers, ensuring great value on your booking.
Economy Car
Suzuki Swift or similar
View offerTravel 06 Oct - 09 Oct 2026
from AUD $244/day


Compact Car
Toyota Corolla or similar
View offerTravel 06 Oct - 09 Oct 2026
from AUD $253/day


Compact SUV
Toyota Cross Hybrid or similar
View offerTravel 06 Oct - 09 Oct 2026
from AUD $283/day


Standard Car
Toyota Corolla Sedan or similar
View offerTravel 06 Oct - 09 Oct 2026
from AUD $265/day


Intermediate SUV
Mazda CX5 or similar
View offerTravel 06 Oct - 09 Oct 2026
from AUD $288/day


Fullsize SUV
Toyota Kluger or similar
View offerTravel 06 Oct - 09 Oct 2026
from AUD $362/day


Rental rate prices displayed are AUD and were available in response to a search at 12:01 am on September 29, 2026 by an Australian resident aged between 30 and 69 years old, for the specified travel dates, with a pickup and return time of 10:00 am. Rates and vehicle availability may change without notice. Use our price comparison tool to get current rental rates. Rates include all mandatory fees for the rental and exclude credit card surcharges and extras.
All rates are in AUD, include mandatory fees, and were last updated on 29 September, 2026. Use the search tool for a live quote.
Uluṟu - Ayers Rock price guide
Summary
- The typical hire is two days: 82.9% of rentals run three days or less and almost all finish inside six
- Quick maths: a compact car at $252.33/day will cost $504.66 for a two-day hire
- The cheapest isn’t always the most popular — but this time it is: economy cars (20%) are also the second most booked category.
Daily rates by vehicle type
| Vehicle type | 12-month range Calculated using the middle 90% of daily rates over 2025 to show typical seasonal variation. | This week vs typical Compared against the 7-day rolling median rate for this vehicle category. Individual booking dates, pickup locations, and provider availability will alter final pricing. |
|---|---|---|
| CARS | ||
Economy car | 12-month range $60 - $343/dayCalculated using the middle 90% of daily rates over 2025 to show typical seasonal variation. | This week Compared against the 7-day rolling median rate for this vehicle category. Individual booking dates, pickup locations, and provider availability will alter final pricing. $244 · above average |
Compact carMost booked | 12-month range $65 - $353/day | This week $252 · above average |
Standard car | 12-month range $65 - $353/day | This week $265 · above average |
Fullsize car | 12-month range $70 - $383/day | This week $274 · above average |
| SUVS | ||
Compact SUV | 12-month range $70 - $383/day | This week $269 · above average |
Intermediate SUV | 12-month range $80 - $434/day | This week $287 · above average |
Fullsize SUV | 12-month range $80 - $454/day | This week $362 · above average |
| PEOPLE MOVERS | ||
Cheapest provider this week
Only on VroomVroomVroom| Provider | Cheapest this week | Renter ratings | Compare prices |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hertz | $244/day | Unrated | Check prices → |
| Thrifty | $343/day | 4.9 (8) | Check prices → |
Rates shown are indicative daily estimates based on historical booking data. 12-month ranges represent typical market pricing (excluding extreme top and bottom outliers). Actual prices fluctuate in real time based on availability, lead time, season, and location, and may exclude optional add-ons, local taxes, or young driver fees.
Which type of hire car in Uluṟu - Ayers Rock is right for you?
| Best for | Vehicle type | Why | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Uluṟu fly-in visitor | Compact or intermediate SUV (Mazda CX-30, Mazda CX5) | Most visitors hiring a car for Uluṟu fly into Ayers Rock Airport and stays at Yulara, around 25 kilometres north of the park. If your primary goal is to visit the sunrise viewing areas, Kata Tjuta, and drive around the base, a compact or intermediate SUV fits the bill. Be sure to stick to sealed roads. | |
| Red Centre self-drive tourer | Intermediate or fullsize SUV (Mazda CX5, Toyota Kluger) | If you’re planning on exploring beyond Uluṟu, for example to Kings Canyon and the West MacDonnells, this is a different kind of driving, with long distances between fuel stops. Ground clearance and boot space matter, and be sure to confirm unsealed-road policies with your provider before you make a booking. |
Flying into Ayers Rock Airport?
Ayers Rock Airport (AYQ) is 8 km north of Yulara, about 10 minutes via Coote Rd, and has four rental brands located at the terminal.
Regional airports near Uluṟu

One-way car hire from Uluṟu - Ayers Rock
- Uluṟu to Alice Springs · 5 hrs via Lasseter Hwy
One of the most popular one-way hires is from Uluṟu to Alice Springs or vice versa, some 450 kilometres or around a five hour drive away. To price a one-way hire, untick “return to the same location” in the search to compare one-way rates. One-way fees vary by provider and route.
Car rental depots in Uluṟu - Ayers Rock
All four rental car providers operate from within the Yulara resort village, close to the Tourist Information Centre.

Dollar Ayers Rock Downtown
N/AResort Shopping Square
Mon–Fri 08:30–16:00, closed w/e
Hertz Ayers Rock Downtown
N/AResort Shopping Square
Mon–Fri 08:30–16:00, closed w/e
Thrifty Ayers Rock Downtown
4.9 (8)127 Yulara Dr
Mon–Sun 08:00–17:00
Local expert tips when renting a car in Uluṟu - Ayers Rock
Behind the wheel itself? Our Uluṟu - Ayers Rock driving tips cover road rules, parking and local quirks
Best time to visit
The best time to visit Uluṟu is between May and September, when the maximum daytime temperature is usually between 20°C and 30°C. Overnight temperatures can be very cold during winter, so be sure to bring some warm clothing with you. October to March can get extremely hot, with daytime temperatures regularly exceeding 35°C.
Plan your trip
The Uluṟu-Kata Tjuta National Park requires a paid entry pass, with a 3-day pass for an adult costing $38, and the park has gate opening and closing times tied to sunrise and sunset, so plan your visit accordingly.
Check your vehicle
Even if not visiting Uluṟu, be sure to pack abundant water — the park authority recommends an extra litre per person — and check your vehicle’s air-conditioning before you leave your accommodation.
Fuel & return
Uluṟu-Kata Tjuṯa National Park is 30 kilometres to the south of Yulara and around 325 kilometres to the southwest of Kings Canyon, and visiting on a day trip requires genuine fuel planning as Yulara has the only fuel for hundreds of kilometres.
Unsealed roads
Sealed roads reach Uluṟu, Kata Tjuta and Kings Canyon via Luritja Road, but the Mereenie Loop is unsealed in places and so is generally excluded by standard hire terms, even for 4WD vehicles. Check your provider’s Terms and Conditions for further information before booking.
Watch the time
Even outside summer, daytime temperatures at and around Uluṟu regularly exceed 40 °C, with 4 pm generally the hottest time of the day. In summer, the park authority strongly recommends people not go walking after 11 am.
Uluṟu - Ayers Rock car hire FAQs
How much does it cost to hire a car in Uluru - Ayers Rock?
For a rental period from 2 October to 9 October 2026, prices range from AUD $172 per day for an Economy Car to AUD $354 per day for a Fullsize SUV. Enter your planned dates to compare live rental rates for your vehicle in Uluru - Ayers Rock.
What is the cheapest car rental in Uluru - Ayers Rock?
The cheapest car rental in Uluru - Ayers Rock for the rental period from 2 October to 9 October 2026 is a Suzuki Swift or similar from Thrifty costing AUD $172 per day. Enter your travel dates in the search form and compare live rates from Australia’s most respected rental car providers.
How much does it cost to hire a Minivan or People Mover in Uluru - Ayers Rock?
The price of a minivan hired in Uluru - Ayers Rock from 2 October to 9 October 2026 ranges from AUD $290 to AUD $354 per day before any added extras. Enter your travel dates and compare live rates for a minivan rental in Uluru - Ayers Rock.
What is the highest-rated hire car in Uluru - Ayers Rock?
The highest-rated rental car in Uluru - Ayers Rock is Suzuki Jimny or similar, based on ratings by our customers within the last 12 months.
What is the best car rental company in Uluru - Ayers Rock?
Thrifty is our highest-rated car hire provider in Uluru - Ayers Rock, scoring an average rating of 4.9 out of 5 based on actual bookings by our customers.
What is the cheapest car rental company in Uluru - Ayers Rock?
Hertz is the cheapest car rental company in Uluru - Ayers Rock, with rates from AUD $244 per day based on our rolling weekly search data. Enter your travel dates in the search form and compare live rates from Australia’s most respected rental car providers.
Where can I refuel around Uluṟu?
Yes, but only at Yulara. The next closest petrol stations are at Kings Canyon (305 kilometres to the northeast) and at the junction of the Lasseter and Stuart highways (250 kilometres th the east).
Can I drive one way between Alice Springs and Uluṟu?
Yes, and this is a popular one-way rental. Any one-way fee will be shown in your total before booking.
Have a question we haven’t answered?
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