When you think of Australia, Sydney and Melbourne first come to mind. But to really see how vastly different Australia can be, you should venture out of the major cities. We recommend a side trip to Uluru also known as Ayers Rock. The best way to see the “rock” is both at sunset and sunrise. Which means at least one night is a must.
More than simply a landmark, Uluru and the neighbouring Kata Tjuta are believed by Indigenous people to be sacred places that are alive with history. According to the Anangu, Uluru was formed due to the actions of ancestral beings many thousands of years ago. Uluru is said to have been formed in the Dreamtime, the earliest period of time.
Getting There
Ayers Rock is 280 miles from the closest city so keep that in mind when planning this excursion. If you are already traipsing around the country by flying, why not continue that trend. It’s certainly the easiest and fastest way to get there. Many major cities will fly directly to Ayers Rock Connellan Airport (airport code AYQ) or you could connect thru Alice Springs. Most flights will be 2-3 hours away but I promise it’s worth it. Jetstar and Virgin are the only airlines currently flying into Connellan Airport. If you are lucky you may even see Uluru from your window seat!
If you are driving around Australia and have the time, then adding Ayers Rock and most likely Alice Springs make sense. It’s 30 hours from Sydney and 25 from Perth so driving would take real commitment to wanting to go to Ayers Rock. of course, you could always take that side trip by flying.
There are plenty of tours while at Ayers Rock that mean you don’t have to have your own car. Of course, you could rent one at the airport as well.
When to Go
The obvious choice is not go in the summer – which to be clear would be December, January and February. The heat in the desert is unbearable for many. The best time is probably the winter months of May to September. We went in October, a shoulder month, and found it to be perfect and potentially cheaper. Make sure to pack appropriately no matter which season you pick to visit.
Where to Stay
Everyone stays at the aboriginal-owned Ayers Rock Resort. There are options for almost every budget including apartments and a campground if you are bringing your camper for those driving. We were fortunate enough to stay at the Sails of the Desert, a luxury stay on the resort. The hotel’s interior decor focuses on Aboriginal heritage and culture, with a gallery in the lobby and significant artworks featured throughout the public areas and private rooms. The property also features an expansive gumtree lined swimming pool and a range of dining options.
Everyone staying at Ayers Rock Resort is offered complimentary transfers to and from the airport. You don’t need to pre-book these transfers. These are shared transfers so if you want something more exclusive you can set this up in advance for a fee (kind of a hefty fee of $299 for up to 4).
A free shuttle circulates the resort every 20 minutes so you can see all of the places to stay on property. We did this so we can check out the various restaurants and shops. If sustainability is important to you when traveling, then this place is for you as well.
The team at Voyages works collaboratively with local communities to support sustainable environmental tourism practices, respecting and supporting the local Indigenous communities and cultures, and offering employment and training opportunities to local and broader Australian and Torres Strait Islander communities.
Ayers Rock Resort
What to Do – Sunset
As I mentioned previously, seeing Ayers Rock is best done at sunset and sunrise. They are two very different experiences. If you spent the time to travel there, you should do it right. There are several different experiences you can book as part of a tour. After arriving and checking into the hotel, we embarked on our first tour: Sounds of Silence Dinner
This tour is four hours and begins one hour before sunset. The event starts with a shuttle pickup from your hotel on the resort. The shuttle takes you to a clearing with 360 degree views of Uluru and the domes of Kata Tjuta. Watching the sunset behind Uluru was an amazing experience. The tour includes a three-course BBQ buffet of authentic Australian cuisine including barramundi, kangaroo, emu, crocodile and complemented by Australian wines.
The Sounds of Silence is not only amazing for the views of Uluru as the sun sets but the views of the Milky Way. This was probably the best stargazing and included a star talker who shows you the wonders of the stars. After a filling dinner and stargazing, you are transported back to your hotel. Now this tour is not cheap at $258/pp but the experience is not to be missed.
You can also add on the Field of Lights installation. Overwhelming in size, covering more than seven football fields, it invites immersion in its fantasy garden of 50,000 spindles of light, the stems breathing and swaying through a sympathetic desert spectrum of ochre, deep violet, blue and gentle white.
For a condensed and more budget-friendly option, you can still stargaze on a tour called
“Discover the mysteries of the outback sky”. For only $60/app you can see the Milkyway and star gaze – although you will miss the sunset views.
Whatever tour you take, make sure you rest up for an early morning adventure to watch the sunrise.
What to Do – Sunrise
A very early morning means you catch the early morning rays of the sunrise over Uluru. The tour, called Desert Awakenings, will again pick you up at your hotel at the resort about an hour before sunrise. The colors of the sky and surrounding landscape are magic as you watch the desert wake up around you. Of course this is all with Uluru in the background. Included in the tour is a traditional Australian breakfast.
After breakfast, you are guided around the base of Uluru with a full explanation of the history of the region. You will learn the creation stories of Liru (poisonous snake) and Kuniya (python) and hear about the Mala people. Ayers Rock is breathtaking and each angle is better than the last one.
After your sunrise tour, the shuttle will transport you back to the hotel. We took this opportunity to take a quick nap followed by relaxing by the pool. We enjoyed dinner that night at the hotel restaurant
There are a lot of alternate options for tours including a shuttle that simply takes you to Uluru on a hop on hop off bus. There are 1, 2, 3 day passes.
Add Ayers Rock – Uluru to your bucket list in Australia. It was a truly amazing experience that you will treasure and remember as a highlight of your time in Australia. Check out this two week itinerary for Australia for first time visitors.
