Is Uluru and the Red Centre worth the detour?
Uluru and the Red Centre are worth it if the outback is a main reason for coming to Australia. They are less convincing as a rushed add-on because flights, heat, cost, distance and cultural respect all need real space.
Answer
The Red Centre is powerful because it feels unlike the coastal Australia many travellers imagine. That also means it asks more of the route. Uluru, Kata Tjuta, Kings Canyon and desert drives need heat awareness, respectful visitor behaviour, transport planning and budget honesty. A rushed fly-in photo stop can feel thin; a properly paced outback chapter can change the whole trip. Go when the landscape and culture matter enough to shape the itinerary around them.