Uluru / Ayers Rock, Yulara
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Uluru (Ayres Rock)
To wlk up, or not to walk up? That is the question... There are signs everywhere asking tourist not to walk up Uluru. Of the 12 people who got off my bus I was the only one that didn't. I am no way trying to take the moral high ground here as it is an individual choice BUT I would say that by going around instead of up, I certainly missed the crowds (I only passed three other people in two and a half hours!) The 9.4k loop walk is estimated to take between 3-4 hours. I went at a very steady pace on a ridiculously hot day and it still only took two and a half. Be aware before you set off that there is very little shade, no toilets and nowhere to buy water. So be prepared. I couldn't recommend this loop walk enough. It gives you plenty of time to take in your surroundings and see the rock from various different angles. Don't get m wrong, those who chose to walk up completely raved about it but I genuinely thik I had the better experience. [more] |
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Ayres Rock YHA (Outback Pioneers)
If you want to know what a 5* backpackers would look like then head to the YHA at Ayres Rock. It's actually called Outback Pioneers and if you stay there you get to use all the facilities in the resort. Posh restaurant and pool included. I paid $34 for a bed in a 20 share dorm which may sound a bit steep but it was by far the cheapest accomodatoin at Uluru. And even though there were 20 beds it in divided by a wall into clusters of 4. It's very well done. There is a BBQ and live entertainment every night, so it's a very sociable place to hang out. I had planned to stay for one night and I ended up staying for four - I loved it that much. There is also a free shuttle bus that loops around all five hotels in Ayres Rock resort so you can have a good nose round the posher places to stay. If you do book the YHA then when you arrive at the airport tell the AAT shuttel guy that you are staying at Outback Pioneer (NOT the YHA) and that way you'll get a free transfer out to the resort. I really couldn't recommend this place highly enough - it's brill !! [more] |
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Uluru - Helicopter Trip
Ok so I'll admit that it is incredibly touristy of me but I succumbed to a helicopter trip at (Uluru) Ayres Rock. As I decided not to climb it (as requested by it's spiritual owners) I decided that the only way I would see the top would be to fly over (Incidently I never found out if this is frowned upon as well!!) I opted for the Uluru and Olgas joint trip which lasted 40 minutes and took me up there for sunset. it is definitely one of the best things I have ever done. I was luckily enough to get the front seat so the views were absolutely breathtaking. It was a glorious evening, the pilot was informative and entertaining and the whol experience was nothing short of amazing. At $250, amazing doesn't come cheap but it was worth every penny. I'd do it again in a heart beat. A definite 5* recommendation for any travellers in Australia, it's well worth making the trip out to Ayres Rock !! [more] |
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Accomodation at Ayers Rock
Staying at Ayers Rock can become quite expensive, simply because your options are limited. A large resort has developed in the area. Your cheapest option is a bed at the YHA, which costs 30 dollars in a tiny, very basic, four bed room. Another option is to camp, which was half that price for two people at the time I visited. Later I heard you can camp for free at Curtin Springs roadhouse, which I don’t know is true. If you do camp make sure you take warm blankets – the nights can get very cold, I experienced this first hand. [more] |
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The big rock
Ayers Rock is the one most well-known natural monument on the Australian continent, maybe in the world, so maybe there is not much to say about it in the first place. It is one of those places that you go to knowing you shouldn’t expect too much because you know too much about it already. Or so I thought. Yes, there are huge crowds of tourists hurrying to take the best photograph and the desert around the rock has made room for parking lots and a resort nearby – but it is amazing nonetheless. The large rock changes color while the sun sets or comes up at the horizon and while it leaves you trying to imagine what the place would feel like without all those people there, it’s definitely worth a visit. [more] |
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Ayers Rock – To Climb or Not To Climb
Ayers Rock (Uluru) is an iconic symbol of Australia and, as you would expect, receives a not insignificant number of visitors who stay in the purpose-built tourist town and make the area fairly busy in the high tourist season. A big question that your visit poses is your decision whether or not to climb the rock. A chain hand-rail and a steep ascent take you to the top for apparently superb views out over the surrounding desert but the local aboriginal people (the Aṉangu) request that you do not climb as the site is sacred to their culture and they also feel responsible for accidents that occur. A set of memorial plaques at the base of the rock record the 35 or so people that have lost their lives attempting the climb, usually due to heart attacks or a fall. Personally I’d advise against climbing, as one aboriginal guide put it to me “imagine me visiting England and walking over a church altar”. As an alternative to the climb an excellent trail circumnavigates the rock at its base and many people consider this to be a much more interesting and varied experience of this stunning natural feature than the climb. [more] |
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Uluru/Olgas - Footwear
If you are planning to do any walking in Ayres Rock resort especially out at Uluru and The Olgas, think carefully about your footwear. My trainers were ruined !! I didn't think about the red dust and as a result my runners were pink when I finished and haven't recovered. Walking sandals are definitely your best bet as they offer grip, are airy, and best of all you can wash them off in the shower after. [more] |
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Uluru (Ayres Rock) Transport
If you don't have your own transport than there are numerous options for getting out to the rock. Most tour desks or hotel receptions wil try to sell you an organised tour. Less well advertised however is ULURU EXPRESS which is a transport only service out to the rock and also the nearby Olgas. It is $40 for a return trip from Ayres Rock resort to Uluru ($45 if you want to include a side stop at the sunset viewing site). Much cheaper than any of the tours on offer. They will pick you up from your hotel / campground and then agree a time to meet you after you climb/walk round/ take piccies of Uluru. There is a cultural centre in walking distance of the rock which shows informative videos and has story placards, so if you feel you want some background knowledge to the site and you don't opt for a guided tour, then I would receommend you go here first. The trip out to the Olgas is slightly longer so that is $60 return. [more] |
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