Central Australia is a popular destination, especially for visitors who flock to take in the magical views of Uluru. The red brown rock, shaped like a jelly mould, has a history dating back more than 60,000 years which can be best appreciated by helicopter or guided walking tour around it. Uluru is home to the Anangu Aboriginal people who are happy to talk to you about this sacred site located on Pitjantjatjara Lands.
Arriving and Getting Around
Qantas flights fly from most Australian capital cities transferring at Alice Springs. At the airport you can either jump on the shuttle bus headed for Ayres Rock Resort or pick up a hire car from the car rental counter.
Accommodation
Ayers Rock Resort includes several accommodation options to suit all budgets. You can either spoil yourself with a little luxury and prime rock view at Longitude 131, book into a hotel or get back to nature by camping under the desert sky.
- Longitude 131
- Sails in the Desert
- Desert Gardens Hotel
- Emu Walk Apartments
- The Lost Camel Hotel
- Outback Pioneer Hotel and Lodge
- Ayres Rock Campground
Dining Out or Eating In
As Uluru is in the centre of Australia, your options for food are slightly limited compared to other capital cities. However, Ayres Rock Resort does have several cafes and restaurants available which cater to most dietary requirements.
Restaurant dining
- Imari Restaurant at Sails in the Desert Hotel
- Aruguli Grill and Restaurant at the Outback Pioneer Hotel and Lodge
- Bough House Restaurant near the Desert Gardens Hotel
Cafe dining
- Ayres Wok
- Managua Bistro and Bar
- Gecko’s Cafe
There is also an IGA supermarket at the resort if you have chosen to stay in an apartment or the campground.
Things to Do
You can thankfully no longer climb Uluru, but there are many other activities and cultural experiences you can enjoy on your trip to Australia’s Red Centre.
Camel ride
Specially breeded and trained in Australia, a camel ride is the best way to meander across the red soil towards Uluru. Camel tours are available morning or afternoon and can even be combined with the popular Field of Light dining experience.
Harley tour
Forget the tour bus and jump on the back of an original Harley Davidson motorcycle and feel the freedom of the Stuart Highway as you power through Kata Tjuta National Park. You can choose a morning or afternoon tour which includes a park pass which is required of everyone who visits the national park.
Alternatively, you can also hire a bicycle or Segway and explore the surrounds of Uluru on a small group tour.
Uluru
The sight everyone comes to the Red Centre for and is so close to Ayres Rock Resort that you can watch the sunrise or sunset from your accommodation window. Well, for those lucky enough to book the “rock view” rooms. A sacred site to the Aboriginal people you can take a tour by foot, bicycle or helicopter ride to learn more about this site and the cave paintings within. Uluru changes colour throughout the day and provides a magical experience from dawn to dusk.
Kata Tjuta National Park
Kata Tjuta is a spectacular sight and is located only a short distance from Uluru. In fact, if you stand on the viewing deck set up in the national park you can view both these wonders at the same time.
You may also choose to take one of the trekking trails through Kata Tjuta and experience the peaceful landscape where the Anangu people still perform cultural ceremonies.
Cultural Experiences
Ayres Rock Resort offer a variety of of experiences for you to learn more about the Anangu people. Cultural experiences include: Bush food experience, a guided garden walk, dot painting workshops, a 4WD tour to Cave Hill plus a daily program of free activities.
