AYERS ROCK
Area: Northern Territory
Country: Australia


Location:
Right in the heart of Australia, on S edge of Northern Territory. Resort itself is 12» mls from Ayers Rock (Uluru). 280 mls SW of Alice Springs. 4 mls S of domestic airport, served by shuttle buses from resort.

Telephone code from UK:
61 8

Website:
http://www.ayersrock.aust.com

Position:
In the middle of scrubby desert with a few sparse trees and spinifex (Australian grasses); Ayers Rock looms in the distance. 33 mls from the dome-like Olgas (Kata Tjuta).

Description:
Compact and purpose built, Ayers Rock Resort (also known as Yulara) measures around 1» mls from N to S but has all the facilities of a small town as well as accommodation of all standards, a visitor centre/tourist office and an outdoor amphitheatre. Designed to blend in with the surrounding desert, the resort is primarily red and ochre in colour, and much thought has gone into conservation in an area which receives almost too many visitors. Boardwalks are laid across the sand along marked walkways to protect plant life and no building may be taller than the highest sand dune. Shade from the intense heat is provided by huge white tarpaulin cloths which look rather like giant Greek windmill sails. Ayers Rock, the main attraction, is sacred to the local Aborigines who would prefer that people not climb it, although this desire is not enshrined in law. It's worth remembering that people have died climbing the Rock and that sensible precautions should be taken before starting up it.

Suitability:
Couples and families. Although there's nothing much to entertain the very young, there's a weekday child-care centre for children aged 3 mths to 8 yrs.

Accommodation:
Full range, from 4-star luxury to backpacker bungalows and a large campsite, all well maintained and designed to make as little impact on the environment as possible. The accommodation is managed communally, and guests of one hotel are welcome to use the amenities of others and charge costs to their own hotel bills.

Shopping:
Limited opportunities, mainly just food and necessities. Gallery at Sails in the Desert hotel.

Entertainments:
Daytime: regular programmes of talks and walks, including local environment and Aboriginal lifestyle. Nightlife: programme of entertainment (6 nights a week) at amphitheatre focuses on didgeridoo music. Small cinema offers slide shows about Uluru as well as conventional films. Talks on sky at night.

Eating:
Mostly confined to the hotels although there is a small takeaway food store in the village centre. Amphitheatre's "Taste of the Territory" features grilled kangaroo, etc, with entertainment laid on. Several outdoor barbecues.

Public-transport:
Yulara is compact enough to walk around but there is a shuttle bus linking all hotels with the village centre every 10 mins (10:30am_2:30pm and 6:30_11:30pm). No public transport to Uluru; you need your own car or to take a tour.

Local-excursions:
Primarily tours to Ayers Rock and the Olgas. Small-plane and helicopter scenic flights. Harley Davidson motorcycle tours of the Rock. Cocktails at sunset tours; dinners in the desert. Day trips to Mount Conner, Petermann Range or Kings Canyon.