Uluru named the best place in the world to watch the sunset

Forget Santorini or the Grand Canyon, the iconic Australian landmark has taken out top billing as the best place in the world to watch the sun go down.

Award-wining dining experience overlooking Uluru at sunset, Sound of Silence. Picture: Sound of Silence

An Australian landmark perhaps best known for its incredible transformation in different light has rightly been rated the best place in the world to watch the sunset.

Uluru beat out other spectacular locations such as Bali, the Grand Canyon, Santorini and Boracay in the Philippines in a study by travel company Bounce.

The study took into account the number of social media posts made of sunsets and sunrises at the various locations, light pollution and online recommendations.

Despite not attracting the same level of social media interest as locations such as Santorini, Bali and Hawaii’s Haleakala, Uluru’s low level of light pollution lifted it into the number one spot with an overall score of 9.13 out of 10.

The natural beauty of Uluru

The study authors remarked on the “natural beauty” of the sacred rock estimated to have begun forming 550-million years ago, and concluded it was a “beautiful stargazing spot”.

The Maldives was a close second, scoring 9.07 out of ten, with Haleakala third, Santorini fourth and Angkor Wat in Cambodia fifth.

Although Santorini was the most recommended site for viewing sunsets, the study noted that light pollution on the Greek island was higher than any other destination in the top five.

“Furthermore stargazing can sometimes be difficult in the summer as the sun is usually the protagonist on this island and humidity can make sunset images difficult to capture,” said the authors.

Bali sunsets were the most Instagrammed according to the Bounce study of the world’s best locations to view the sun setting. Picture: iStock

Operator of tourism and resort facilities in the Red Centre, Voyages Indigenous Tourism Australia, was thrilled to hear of the recognition for Uluru.

Chief executive Matt Cameron-Smith said sunsets at Uluru were “truly an awe-inspiring experience”.

“Right now, the weather is at its best in the spiritual heart of Australia so it’s peak season at Ayers Rock Resort,” said Mr Cameron-Smith.

He said a range of activities were planned around the sunset, including the nightly Wintjiri Wiru sunset dinner.

“Developed in partnership with Anangu, the traditional owners of these lands, Wintjiri Wiru Sunset dinner combines ancient storytelling with state-of-the-art drone, laser and light projection technology,” Mr Cameron-Smith said.

Santorini sunsets had the most online recommendations but lost points due to light pollution on the Greek island.

“With over 1100 drones taking flight each night, it’s the first time an experience of this magnitude has been performed on a regular basis anywhere in the world.”

Despite a climbing ban coming into effect at Uluru in late 2019, Voyages had seen no slowdown in visitors even during the difficult Covid period.

The Maldives with turquoise during a colorful sunset. Picture: iStock

Since borders reopened, bookings continued to roll in with Tourism Research Australia data showing visitor nights and expenditure both exceeded 2019 levels in the regional Northern Territory in the year to March.

“We’re pleased to see continuing year-round visitation growth both from the domestic market, and as confidence and air access to Uluru improve, key international markets like the UK, US, Europe and Japan,” said Mr Cameron-Smith.

“Cultural tourism continues to drive demand with our guests actively seeking out enriching indigenous tourism and culinary activities.”

Originally published as Uluru named the best place in the world to watch the sunset