Ayers Rock / Uluru
Ayers Rock or Uluru is a giant rock (referred
to by many Aussies as 'the rock') in the middle of Australia that
has significant meaning to Aborigines, they nowadays own the rock
again after the government handed it over to them in he 1980s on
the condition they lease it back to National Parks.
William Gosse was the first white man to spot and climb the rock
and named it after a former South Australia premier Sir Henry Ayers.
Geologists refer to this rock as both a monolith (it is the largest
monolith in the world measuring 3.1km. in length) and a monadnock
(isolated rock sticking out above surrounding country).
Latest news: Virgin Blue will commence
domestic flights from Sydney to Uluru in August, so far Qantas had
the monopoly on Sydney to Uluru flights and this new domestic route
will certainly bring more cheap flights to Uluru !
Click
here to find the cheapest flight to Uluru / Ayers Rock !
After the invention of political correctness in the
1990s word got out in the media around the world that it greatly
upset the local Aboriginal owners if people took souvenir rocks
from this place, leading to people all around the world sending
heavy parcels returning their souvenir rocks and filling the Uluru
National Parks office.
More than 300 000 people a year visit the rock and busloads of people
descend on this place for sunrise and sunset when cameras click
away and the champagne flows (if you didn't book on the cheapest
tour that is). Nowadays many people opt not to climb the rock as
the local Aboriginal owners do not approve of it but many others
still do. It is quite an effort and quite a few people have died
from heart attacks here or rolled down the steep slope, especially
before the chain on poles was put in. The chance of having a heart
attack here is three times as high as elsewhere in Australia. Sometimes
the rock is closed to climbers when the temperatures go too high
or when it rains.
Uluru or Ayres Rock, sacred site and tourist destination
Accommodation at Uluru
Standbyrates.com.au
is a great place to shop for some last minute discounts,
find luxury accommodation for the price of budget accommodation
!
Hotels and resorts at Ayers Rock
Desert
Gardens Hotel |
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Located within the Ayers
Rock Resort, only a short walk to Resort Shopping
Centre and approximately 20 minutes to Ayers Rock
(20km) and approximately 50 minutes to the Olgas
by car. Rooms are large and along with the bathrooms,
of exceptional quality.
White Gums Restaurant is situated in the main building
behind the lobby and reception area serves buffet
style and light a la carte meals. There is a complimentary
coach transfer service between the hotel and the
airport for all incoming and outgoing flight.
More
info and reservations....
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Emu
Walk Apartments |
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The Emu Walk Apartments
Ayers Rock is located just minutes away from the
Resort Shopping Centre and within close proximity
to many restaurants including the Gecko's Mediterranean
style cafe, this property offers fully self-contained
apartments equipped with all necessary amenities.
The Emu Walk Apartments is an ideal choice for you
to holiday with family or friends.
More
info and reservations.... |
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Longitude
131 Lodge |
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Longitude 131 Lodge
is tucked away in a secluded spot, a magnificent
setting, a row of tent like accommodation, all facing
Ayers Rock, surrounded by red earth with desert
vegetation. Each room is an upmarket 'tent' with
a beautifully appointed room with airconditioning,
ceiling fans, shower and separate toilet. Hair dryers,
CD player, upon entering the room soft music is
played with beautifully smelling oil burners. A
magnificent resort, suitable for the descerning
traveller (not recommended for under 12 year olds).
There is nothing better than waking up to view of
Ayers Rock, enjoying sunrise from the comfort of
your bed.
More
info and reservations....
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The
Lost Camel |
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This funky hotel is
located right next to the Resort's shopping centre,
2 minutes walk from Sails in the Desert and 20 km
from the famous Uluru (Ayers Rock). Rooms are small,
in excellent condition with an interesting aboriginal
and modern mixture. There is a complimentary coach
transfer service between the hotel and the Airport
for all incoming and outgoing flights.
More
info and reservations....
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Outback
Pioneer Hotel |
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Outback Pioneer offers
a choice of comfortable, affordable hotel rooms
and budget cabins which give the traveller a real
taste of traditional Australian hospitality. Combined
with a huge barbecue area and all the luxuries of
the Resort, this is an ideal venue for families.
More
info and reservations.... |
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Sails
in the Desert |
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Exquisitely furnished
and designed, the Sails in the Desert Hotel Ayers
Rock is an ultimate hotel providing comfort and
luxury right in the heart of the Central Australian
Outback. You can relax in one of the 232 spacious,
airy and beautifully appointed rooms, which are
all fit with latest amenities. The Hotel also features
the acclaimed Mulgara Gallery, the lively, brasserie-style
Winkiku Restaurant, relaxed cuisine by the pool
at the Rockpool and the signature restaurant of
Ayers Rock Resort.
More
info and reservations.... |
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Getting to and around Uluru
Unless you are planning on some very long distance
driving you will have to fly to Uluru.
Cheap flights are readily available on the internet now as competition
around Australia is tough, try the sites below or see more cheap
flights to Ayers Rock / Uluru here.
RentNewCars.com.au
is an Australian company that exclusively distributes Europcar &
Thrifty's Australian fleet of 16,000 new vehicles and offers access
to over 200 locations around Australia via the RentNewCars
web site.
Budget
Car Hire needs little introduction, the name says it
all: car hire at Budget Prices with a car hire company with an international
reputation, and this sites makes it even easier to find yourself
a cheap hire car, or anything else with wheels: trucks,buses, campervans,
utes, four wheel drives etc.
Thrifty
Car Rental is another international car hire business
with a reputation for cheap rental cars.
Shuttle
bus from Alice Springs. You will travel from Alice
Springs via the rugged West MacDonnell and James Ranges to Uluru
(Ayers Rock). Stop en route at the Outback Camel Farm where you
can take the opportunity to ride a camel, known to many as the 'ships
of the desert' (own expense). View and photograph the unusual flat-topped
Atila (Mt Conner), a mesa formed during a period of great uplift,
then left to the savages of aeons of erosion. En route your Driver/Guide
will provide an informative and entertaining commentary on the natural
and geological history of the region.
More info and bookings...
Camper vans
Central Australia is the perfect country to travel
with a camper van! Pick up a camper in Darwin or Adelaide and explore
the outback and the red centre at your leisure. Wide open roads,
countless beautiful spots to pull over and camp, the freedom to
go where and when you want, it is no wonder so many Aussies on retirement
buy themselves a mobile home and spend years going around the country.
Nothing beats finding your own camping spot in the wild, having
a cold beer admiring a wildly coloured outback sunset and a dinner
cooked on the campfire under the magnificent starry skies.
Exploring Australia is a breeze with Cheapa Campa.
With a full range of rental campers & motorhomes at fantastic
prices Cheapa Campa allows you to travel in comfort on any budget.
Budget Backpacker Campervan & Motorhome Rentals.
Hippie Camper is an Australian family owned and run company specialising
in low cost campervan rentals for the budget conscious traveller.
We started in 2006 and currently have four branches on the east
coast of Australia from Cairns to Melbourne.
See our page Campervan
hire in Australia for more useful info and links on
renting a camper or RV in Australia
Stargazing at Ayers Rock
The skies in Central Australia's desert are clear most of the year,
and the absence of cities spreading their lights makes this the
absolute perfect place to watch the stars of the southern hemisphere!
Relax and let someone else do
the driving!
Daytrip
from Alice Springs |
Kata Tjuta
© Northern Territory Tourism Commission
|
Rising from the desert
sands, this massive creation from the dawn of time
will overwhelm you. The richness of colour changing
by the hour, the powerful presence of the Aboriginal
Tjukurpa (dreaming) and the enormity of this symbol
of the Australian Outback.
Traverse the Walpa Gorge at Kata Tjuta (Olgas), a
tumbled mass of protruding rock domes. Nothing will
prepare you for your first close up of Uluru (Ayers
Rock); its ancient mystery, its spirit and its wonder.
Visit this monolith of Uluru… and stand in awe!
More
info.... |
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Uluru
and Kata Tjuta Camping Safari |
Kata Tjuta (The Olgas)
© NT Tourism Commission
|
This two day camping safari
visits two of the main attractions of the Red Centre.
Marvel at Uluru (Ayers Rock) and take the opportunity
to walk along the base of this mighty monolith. Visit
sacred Kata Tjuta (the Olgas) and wonder at the rocky
domes and canyon walls. This tour is designed for
those who are looking for adventure and who want to
experience the beauty of Central Australia whilst
enjoying the reward of camping and meeting new friends.
This camping safari caters for those on a limited
budget but still wanting to travel in a small group
(10 - 22 passengers). Although there is no hard work
on the camping tour, its success does rely on the
participation of all the passengers to help with things
like cooking and collecting firewood. More
info.... |
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Uluru,
Olgas and Kings Canyon |
Kings Canyon
© NT Tourism Commission
|
Explore the highlights
of the Red Centre on this three day camping safari.
See the majestic monolith of Uluru (Ayers Rock), the
domes of Kata Tjuta (the Olgas) and the rugged beauty
of Kings Canyon. This tour is designed for those who
are looking for adventure and who want to experience
the beauty of Central Australia whilst enjoying the
reward of camping and meeting new friends.
This camping safari caters for those on a limited
budget but still wanting to travel in a small group
(10 - 22 passengers). More
info.... |
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Red
Centre 4WD Camping Safari |
Ayers Rock
© NT Tourism Commission
|
This 4WD camping safari
gives you an in-depth experience of the Red Centre.
From the more familiar icons such as the majestic
monolith of Uluru (Ayers Rock), the domes of Kata
Tjuta (the Olgas) and the rugged beauty of Kings Canyon,
to the lesser known highlights of the Western MacDonnell
Ranges, Palm Valley and the Wallace Rock Hole Aboriginal
Community. This tour is designed for those who are
looking for adventure and who want to experience the
beauty of Central Australia whilst enjoying the reward
of camping and meeting new friends.
This camping safari caters for those on a limited
budget but still wanting to travel in a small group
(18 passengers maximum). More
info.... |
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Dot
painting workshop |
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A unique experience! Today
you'll join Aboriginal artists at the Uluru Aboriginal
Cultural Centre for a fascinating introduction to
Aboriginal law and art. Learn the meaning of some
of the symbols in the dot paintings that depict Aboriginal
culture and lifestyle. Spend the afternoon with the
artists and create your own Aboriginal dot painting,
which you'll be able to take home as a momento of
your experience at Ayers Rock (Uluru) More
info.... |
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© Australian Pacific Touring
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© Australian Pacific Touring
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Travel deep into the Outback Australian bush with
an Aboriginal guide and visit traditional Arrernte Country. For
40,000 years this area has been a 'meeting place' for the trading
of stories, artifacts, knowledge and artworks. Immerse yourself
in this ancient and fascinating culture, share in the remarkable
knowledge of the Arrernte people and hear tales of their legends
and dreamings.
There is an opportunity to sample genuine bush tucker. Listen to
the stories and history of this precious region whilst enjoying
billy tea with damper. Later, have a go at throwing a boomerang
and a spear and learn about Aboriginal languages, art, dance, music
and even how to play the didgeridoo. On conclusion of the tour at
approximately 12:30pm, you will be transferred back to your hotel.
More
info on this tour....
On this ten hour 4WD Safari you depart Alice Springs
in the morning and travel through the West MacDonnell Ranges to
the remote Aboriginal community of Hermannsburg in Central Australia
for a guided tour of the historic precinct and its renowned Aboriginal
art collection. More
info on this tour....
Admire the Aboriginal rock art in the East MacDonnell
Ranges on this tour. Explore scenic gorges and ravines and discover
Aboriginal rock art that dates back hundreds and even thousands
of years. Enjoy a bush breakfast before continuing your journey
of discovery in this picturesque region. More
info on this tour....
Discover Alice Springs in a day, and visit the remote
remote, authentic and non-commercial Santa Teresa Aboriginal community,
look at Aboriginal art and meet the local Aboriginal people. You
will be taken back to Alice Springs where you will have time to
purchase lunch (own expense), before joining the tour again to see
the town highlights of Alice Springs and visit the West MacDonnell
Ranges and Standley Chasm. More
info on this tour....
Want to experience sacred sites known to the Aboriginal
people, then dine under the stars of the Outback? This is a fantastic
opportunity to explore unforgettable landscapes and feel the enchantment
of the wilderness for yourself. Sit at your private dining setting
in the middle of the desert and dine in the serenity of the Outback
under a million stars, more
info on this tour...
Uluru Cultural Centre
© Australian Pacific Touring
Aboriginal people have lived around Uluru for thousands
of years and this tour introduces you to the stories and language
of their ancestors. Aboriginal guides explain their culture and
law and demonstrate the bush skills needed to survive. See ancient
rock art and listen to the Python Dreaming legend.
More info on this tour....
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