Most Asked Questions about Uluru

Uluru is one of Australia’s most recognisable natural landmarks. A massive monolith located in Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park in Australia’s Northern Territory, Uluru attracts thousands of visitors every year to stand in the shadows of its awe-inspiring size. And, as you might expect, those visitors have a lot of questions. Luckily for them (and for you), we have the answers! Here are a few of the most common Uluru questions we hear here at Ayers Rock Resort, as well as the information you need to satisfy your curiosity.

Before we go any further, it’s important to remember that during these times, the information provided here is subject to change. For the most up-to-date information, we always recommend you contact us directly!
 

What is Uluru?

Uluru is the world’s largest monolith, or, more accurately, an ‘inselberg’ — an isolated mountain or hill rising from a plain in a hot and dry region. Made of arkose sandstone, Uluru rises 348 metres above the ground, reaches an incredible 6km below the ground, and has a circumference of 9.4 kilometres. At 348 meters tall, Uluru is higher than The Statue of Liberty (93m) and taller than Paris’ Eiffel Tower (324m) and only 33m lower than the Empire State Building (381m). To the Australian Aboriginal people, Uluru is sacred. Archaeological research shows that the Aboriginal people have lived in this area for over 30,000 years.
 

Why should I visit Uluru?

You haven’t experienced Australia until you’ve visited this sacred Aboriginal site in the spiritual heart of the country. To truly appreciate its magnitude and beauty, Uluru has to be experienced up close and personal. Like Yellowstone, Pompeii, and the Grand Canyon, photographs simply fail to fully capture the essence of the place. It is a remarkable destination — one of the great natural wonders — and provides visitors with an opportunity to connect to Aboriginal culture and experience the authentic Aussie outback.

Can I climb Uluru?

As of 26 October 2019, you’re no longer allowed to climb Uluru. There’s a very good reason for this. For Anangu (the area’s Aboriginal people), Uluru is sacred ground, and the path of the climb is associated with important Mala ceremonies. Anangu believe that during the time when the world was being formed, the Uluru climb was the traditional route taken by Mala men when they arrived at Uluru.
 

How do I get to Uluru?

Uluru may be remote, but that doesn’t mean it’s difficult to visit! Did you know that there’s an airport located only 25km from the iconic rock? Jetstar airlines fly straight to Ayers Rock Airport from Sydney (3hr), Melbourne (3hr), and Brisbane (3hr).

To get from the airport to Ayers Rock Resort, a complimentary coach meets all regular flights. The transfer takes approx. 10 minutes and takes you from the airport to your hotel. There are no taxis, so taking the free hotel courtesy transfer or hiring a car are your only options for getting to and from the airport.

If you’d rather take the scenic route, fly into Alice Springs and hire a car to drive to Uluru. This is a fantastic way to see even more of the Red Centre. Alice Springs to Uluru is approximately a 4.5-hour drive along the Stuart and Lasseter Highways. Want to extend your road trip? Take the iconic Mereenie Loop Road through Kings Canyon and enjoy the many incredible sites (and sights) along the way.

Alice Springs to Kings Canyon is 337km (unsealed for 197km of the journey), driving time is approx. 4 hours. From Kings Canyon to Uluru is 306km on sealed roads (approx. 3.5-hour drive).

Where can I stay in Uluru?

Voyages Ayers Rock Resort is located only 20km from Uluru and 6km from the airport. The Resort provides a variety of accommodation options to suit all tastes and budgets. You can choose from the premium Sails in the Desert hotel, the modern Desert Gardens Hotel, the self-contained one and two-bedroom Emu Walk Apartments, and the funky Lost Camel Hotel. There’s also a large campground with powered and unpowered sites and cabins. In the Resort Town Square, you’ll find a collection of shops and cafes, a supermarket, bank and ATM, car hire, newsagency, hair salon, postal office, and a Tour & Information Centre.
 

When is a good time to visit Uluru?

Ultimately, that depends on your own personal preferences. April through October, you can expect an average temperature of 24C°/75F° with clear skies and minimal rainfall. Night-time temperatures can get cold during these months, so be sure to pack warm clothes. On the other hand, November through March typically sees warm and sun-laden days with an average temperature of 35C°/95F°. During these months, the evenings are beautiful and balmy. Rainfall in the desert is unpredictable, but more likely to fall at this time of year (which also means this is your best chance of experiencing Uluru's rare waterfalls).

What can I do in Uluru?

This is a remote part of the world, without question, but that doesn’t mean there’s a lack of things to do! In fact, there’s plenty for everyone here at Ayers Rock Resort. During your time here, you can stroll through the Field of Light, a solar art installation of 50,000 lights, ride a camel across the dunes, or take in an aerial view of Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park on one of our air adventures. If you prefer to keep your feet firmly on the ground, whizz around the rock on a bicycle, segway, or on the back of Harley Davidson.

To gain a deeper understanding of the history, culture, and geology of this remarkable place, you can join one of the guided tours. The benefit of joining a small group tour is that they’re personalised. Meaning you’ll have access to an expert guide who will tell you all you need to know about Uluru.

No visit to Uluru is complete without tasting some native bush tucker at a Bush Food Experience, or enjoying a dinner under the sparkling desert sky at the Sounds of Silence, an evening at Field of Light, or the intimate Tali Wiru.

As we mentioned earlier, there are no taxis out here. You also won’t find Ubers, line-buses, or trains. To be honest, we like it that way! But that doesn’t mean it’s impossible to get around. In fact, you have plenty of transportation options, including:

Hiring a car - If you want the freedom to explore the destination at your own pace, hiring a car is possibly your best option. Avis, Hertz, and Thrifty car rentals are available with pick-up and drop-off options from Ayers Rock Airport and the Resort. You can choose from a range of vehicles, including 4WD and sedan options. Due to the remoteness, there are a limited number of cars available at any one time, so we recommend pre-booking your rental car well in advance.

Joining a guided tour - Guided tours provide pick-up and drop-off to your hotel or campground. Another great thing about joining a guided tour is that you’ll learn more about the history, culture, and landscape thanks to an expert guide.

Uluru Hop On Hop Off Shuttle - Choose from a one-day, two-day, or three-day pass and hop on and off the bus as much as you like from sunrise to sunset. This shuttle bus travels between the Resort and the National Park and stops at the Cultural Centre, Uluru sunrise and sunset lookouts, Kata Tjuta lookout, Walpa Gorge, and Valley of the Winds. Pick-ups and drop-offs are also included.

Free Resort Shuttle Bus - There’s a free shuttle bus that circulates the Resort to help you get around. It runs from 10:30 in the morning to just after midnight, departing every 20 minutes. The shuttle stops at all hotels, the campground, Resort Town Square, Gallery of Central Australia (GoCA), and the Uluru Camel Farm. Please note that this shuttle does not go to Uluru.

Coach/Bus Services - If you’re looking to travel further out to discover more of the Red Centre, luxury air-conditioned coach and bus services run between Ayers Rock Resort, Kings Canyon, and Alice Springs. Your drive/guide will provide comprehensive commentary as you pass through the rugged scenery of the outback.

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