Mala Walk
4.5
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The mala walk follows the north-west side of Uluru. There are many fine examples of Anangu rock art along this walk, and you can experience the sheer vertical walls and profound peacefulness of Kantju Gorge. 2 km return | 1.5 hrs | wheelchair access
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4.5
395 reviews
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81
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3
Jalaky
Sunshine Coast, Australia466 contributions
Sept 2020
We started at the Mala carpark and did the whole base walk. You could easily just focus on this section and visit the rock art and caves and waterhole...it's one of the most spectacular sections of the entire walk...especially when you can drive around the entire rock.
Written 30 September 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TravellingQldlanders
Morayfield, Australia951 contributions
May 2021
This is an easy level walk (Level 1) with minimal steps and no rock jumping. Fly protection is recommended. There is great signage showing the caves – Old peoples, men’s, kitchen, and teaching caves. Also the vegetation along the path, with some descriptions, and explaining the cultural value of the area. There is also a sensitive area where photography is forbidden. The end of the way in is the Kantju Gorge, this is a small pool but a massive rock face drops from the top down to the pool. I can’t image the view after rain, with the Kapi (water) falling down – amazing. The return walk is on the same path.
Written 18 May 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ogerkan
New York City, NY4,730 contributions
Mar 2020
The park ranger led Mala walk was informative and gave insight to the monolith as well as some of the aboriginal people's beliefs. A little over an hour, there are 4-5 predetermined stops with different "stories" behind them. At the conclusion of the tour, do continue onto the Kanju Gorge.
Tip - 8a start
Tip - 8a start
Written 27 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sharon
Shellharbour, Australia129 contributions
Jan 2021 • Family
Be sure to fit this walk in with the ranger talk at 8am (scheduled at 10am in cooler months I believe). If you can, do this as your first introduction to your rock experience.
Current COVID restrictions meant that Justin couldn’t do the entire walk with us. He spent 15minutes with us at the start of the walk giving some history and outlining what we would come to before we went off alone. He met us again down at the gorge where he talked with us for another 20-30minutes discussing not only the geology of the rock but also giving us an insight into his experiences with the custodians of this special place.
It was then I fully realised how much of a gift we have been given by the Anangu who invite us to know their past, share in their culture and be a part of the future of Uluru.
We then went down to the gorge. This too was a moving experience for me. To sit in the silence, to absorb the history of the people and the place and to receive a moment of healing from the land.
Thank you Anangu for this precious gift.
Current COVID restrictions meant that Justin couldn’t do the entire walk with us. He spent 15minutes with us at the start of the walk giving some history and outlining what we would come to before we went off alone. He met us again down at the gorge where he talked with us for another 20-30minutes discussing not only the geology of the rock but also giving us an insight into his experiences with the custodians of this special place.
It was then I fully realised how much of a gift we have been given by the Anangu who invite us to know their past, share in their culture and be a part of the future of Uluru.
We then went down to the gorge. This too was a moving experience for me. To sit in the silence, to absorb the history of the people and the place and to receive a moment of healing from the land.
Thank you Anangu for this precious gift.
Written 22 January 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Debbie A
Buderim, Australia439 contributions
May 2021
This is a short walk from the Mala Carpark. You can just do this walk or incorporate it in the base walk. Lots to see in this short walk including a pool of water and some aboriginal drawings. Easy walk so anyone could do it.
Written 21 May 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
NauticalDreamer3010
Buddina, Australia713 contributions
Feb 2020
Adam was our Ranger for our walk which started at 8am before it got too hot. Adam was superb in explaining the background and context of Uluru and its people. He covered the traditional learnings, how various parts of Uluru were used by different groups, the geology of the area as well as its flora and fauna.
We thoroughly enjoyed the tour and strongly recommend it to others.
We thoroughly enjoyed the tour and strongly recommend it to others.
Written 18 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
JElliot32
New South Wales, Australia3,962 contributions
Jun 2021
We arrived at the Mala carpark at the Rock just before 10, coincidentally as a ranger was preparing to run a free guided tour of the Mala Walk. We joined the group of about 50-60, and were really glad we did. The Mala is an easy walk, only about a km in length and because there are so many important Aboriginal cultural sites along the route we stopped often, where the ranger explained their significance. He was not indigenous but had a very comprehensive knowledge of local Aboriginal customs and lore (though, like he said, what he knew was just the tip of the iceberg). Even though this is a short walk distance wise, the tour took us nearly 2 hours to complete. The walk finishes at the Kantju Gorge and waterhole, a truly awesome spot.
Written 4 July 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
adelaidenow
29 contributions
Jun 2024 • Family
My daughter and I did the free guided walk last week. Ranger Lauren was the perfect guide. The information presented was very interesting and I would recommend everyone to do this walk before all other experiences in Uluṟu. We did the walk 9 years ago with an indigenous ranger and it was equally as good.
Written 24 June 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mon55
Brisbane, Australia1,213 contributions
May 2021
Expect lots of people on this walk, it is the most popular walk at Uluru. Take plenty of water, sunscreen and fly net for the swarming bush pests. The walk is about 2km and well marked and wheelchair accessible. Plenty of rock art and caves to see on the walk.
Written 26 October 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Aussie_2012
Melbourne, Australia962 contributions
Jul 2022
Meet at 10am at the Mala car park for a ranger led tour along a kilometre section of the rock. The ranger stops at about 5 locations along the way explaining both cultural and geological aspects of various sites. It is both really super informative and breathtaking as well as you are right under the face of the rock admiring its beauty and the surrounds.
Written 11 July 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
If I take a Mala car park walk at 8 am in April with a ranger, do I have to wait for a long time to get the hop on hop off bus?
Verghese George
Written 26 March 2023
Hello. We are visiting in December. Is it possible to do the ranger guided Mala walk in the morning and then do the whole base walk once the tour is over?
Thanks!
Written 1 November 2019
Thanks for your question! The guided Mala walk is 2km and starts at 8:00am in December to avoid the heat. The base walk is 10km, however you can just do portions of the walk if you do not have as much time. We do not recommend walking in Uluru during the hot seasons after 11:00am - do ensure that you are equipped with a hat, plenty of water, sunscreen, and clothing to cover as much of your skin as possible.
Written 9 January 2020
We plan visit to Uluru in February , will arrive by flight from SYD around lunch time and depart after almost 48 hours, what would be the best plan to use our time.
We would like to see the Sun Rise and Sun Set , walk the Mala Walk .
Would it be better to rent a car or use the guided tours?
Where is the best place to stay so we are close to all activities.
Written 13 January 2018
Hi, we hired a car that way we weren’t restricted, apart from the cost of the rental you have to buy a park pass which is $25.00 each & is good for 3 days. We drove out to Uluru for the free ranger guided tour starts at 08:00 at Mala Walk car park but best check times. We also drive ourselves out to Kata Tjuta (The Olga’s) for the sunrise. There are lots of tours you can do out there & book at the Visitors centre in town if you don’t want to hire a car. We stayed at the Outback Pioneer Hotel was nice enough about 3 star (in between Sails which is 5 star & the camp ground) it has a pool & a couple of places to eat the room was clean so all good. The resort/compound which all the accomodation places are located in including the town centre has a free bus that regularly goes around if you don’t have a car.
Can recommend doing the Field of Light tour dawn or dusk we ended up on the dawn one as the evening one kept getting cancelled because of storms.
Have a great trip would go back anyway.
Written 26 January 2018
We will be there next May. At that time of year,does the walk start at 8 or 10 a.m.?
Also, one review said 85 people om a walk. Can that happen?
Written 16 August 2016
When we went, there were a lot of people on the walk but they split it into two groups with a ranger guiding each group. They managed the groups very well and everyone could hear easily.
Written 30 August 2016
Will this walk be too much for a 10 and 5 year old?
Written 28 May 2016
No it will not be too much for a 10 and 5 year old. The rangers involve the children so I am sure they will enjoy it.
Written 28 May 2016
Do I need to book this walk before I arrive?
Written 13 April 2015
Hi Meg. We're pleased you will join us on the Mala Walk. No, there's no need to book, just meet at the Mala Walk sign at 8:00 am and a ranger will introduce you to the wonders of Uluru!
Written 13 April 2015
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