Uluru is definitely a place everyone should visit at least once in his or her life. I traveled there late last year and was blown away by its beauty, colours, quietness, mystery and the fact that it would make an amazing honeymoon location! There’s just something romantic about being in the middle of nowhere with your loved one. There are tons of ways you can ‘do’ Uluru too, so you’ll be able to find something to suit the type of experience you want and be able to keep to your budget.
Accommodation
There’s are two places you can stay near Uluru. The first choice is Ayers Rock Resort, which is in the little town of Yulara. It’s about 18km away from Uluru. Ayers Rock Resort is made up of different accommodation types:
Sails In The Desert – 5 star hotel
Desert Gardens Hotel – 4 ½ star hotel
Emu Walk Apartments – 4 star self-contained apartments
The Lost Camel Hotel – 3 ½ star hotel
Outback Pioneer – choice of 3 ½ star hotel or 2 star lodge
Campground – cabins, village tents, camping (powered or non-powered)
Pool at Sails In The Desert Hotel
The second choice is the gorgeous, but expensive, Longitude 131°, described as “the luxury Australian outback experience”. The price averages around $2000 per night with a minimum two-night stay. It’s very lavish and understandably you get treated like royalty. It has many perks – all meals and drinks included, touring programs, entry into Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park and private views of the sun rising and setting over Uluru.
Photo from Longititude 131)
Things To Do
* Walk around the base of Uluru. It’s about a 9km walk but it’s worth it. Getting up close to the rock will take your breath away and you’ll see things you’d never expect to see there – like a waterfall!
At the base of Uluru where you start the walk
* Visit Kata Tjuta (The Olgas) – it’s often overlooked because of Uluru but is incredibly beautiful in its own right and there’s a lot to explore there as well.
The sun setting over The Olgas.
* Do a day trip to Kings Canyon. It’s three hours up the road, and a great place to stop over if you’re heading to Alice Springs from Uluru. Once you’re there you can walk through the valley and its creeks, or if you’re feeling adventurous you can climb up and walk around the rim.
Kings Canyon
* Sounds of Silence Dinner – watch the sunset over Uluru, enjoy dinner and drinks with new friends and stare up at the night sky while you’re taken on a tour of the stars.
(Photo from Ayers Rock Resort) A yummy dinner in the middle of the desert.
* Go on a camel ride. They do sunrise and sunset rides. It’s lots of fun and something you’ll remember for a long time to come. Plus, your photos will be unreal.
Meet The Camels!
Top Tips
* Hire a car to do your day trips. It works out to be a lot cheaper, plus they book out really quickly so you could miss out on one if you wait.
* Head to the Tour & Centre Information in the Town Centre to book your tours. They’re more helpful than the tour desks in each hotel. It’s important to book these early because you might miss a spot on some of the more popular experiences. It’s also best to research what you want to do before you get there.
* Take your walking shoes. Even if you think you’re going to sip cocktails by the pool every day, chances are you’ll get swept up in the wonder of the place and will want to go exploring!
* Stock up on water (especially if you’re doing walks in the middle of the day) and of course, slip, slop, slap and wear a hat. It’s hot out there.
* Food can be a little pricey at Ayers Rock Resort so be prepared by taking more cash than you think you’ll need.
* Don’t climb the rock. The traditional landowners of Uluru, the Anangu people, prefer that no one climb it due to its cultural significance. There is a chain that goes up the rock to assist climbing, however there’s a sign just in front that goes into detail as to why you shouldn’t climb. If you’re interested in finding out more while you’re there, you can head to the cultural centre in the national park.
Big sign telling tourists why they shouldn’t climb Uluru.’
All photos by Ms Floral unless otherwise stated.
