Stay Close to Nature in Comfortable Lodgings and Witness Uluru's Beauty

Uluru, also known as Ayers Rock is a large sandstone formation located in the southern region of the Northern Territory, Australia. The nearest city to Uluru is Alice Springs, about 335 km to the south-west. It is Australia's most famous geographical feature and has been a popular destination since the late 1930s. 

Pitjantjatjara, the Aboriginal people who live in that area, consider Uluru to be a sacred place. The area around this rock formation is full of hollows, springs, rock caves, and cave paintings. This site has been confirmed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Australia. Uluru is located in the Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, along with another site known as Kata Tjuta. 

Uluru has a desert climate with an average temperature of 35 degrees Celsius in summer and 22 degrees Celsius in winter. However, the nights and mornings in winter are very cold, so tourists who want to come to this place should bring warm clothes. For more information about Uluru Ayers Rock, check this out!

What is Uluru Known For?

In Australia's Red Centre, the spectacular Uluru Kata Tjuta National Park is located. This place features the ancient rock formations of Uluru and Kata Tjua, which create a stunning view. Uluru rises from the earth with a fiery red colour. Uluru is the largest sandstone mole in the world, standing 348 metres tall and 9.5 km in circumference. 

Uluru is very popular in Australia, many tourists visit this place to climb the rock and enjoy the majesty of nature. Archaeologists say that human activity at Uluru has existed since 10,000 years ago and say that the rock was formed 60 million years ago underwater. 

The word Uluru as the name of the site translates as a great pebble. Visitors who come to this place will get a tour that is not only information about this rock, but also the story of the Aborigines who created its existence at Uluru. 

Not only is it popular as a tourist attraction showcasing the wonders of nature, it is popular as a sacred site and is seen as the resting place of ancient spirits, giving it a religious status. Uluru is a deeply spiritual and sacred site for the local people who have lived here for more than 30,000 years.

How to Get to Uluru

Uluru is located in the Red Centre, in the Australian Outback. To reach this place, there are various alternative ways that can be used, starting from taking a flight to Yulara or by road. 

1. By Plane

The first way to reach Uluru is by taking a flight to Ayers Rock Airport located in Yulara from various cities in Australia, including Sydney, Brisbane, and Cairns. The estimated time taken is about 3 hours. The airlines that fly to Yulara are Qantas, Virgin Australia, and Jetstar. 

2. By Car

Some visitors to the park are part of a road trip around the Australian outback. Uluru is 465 kilometres from Alice Springs and when reached by road, takes about 5.5 hours. 

3. Join a Tour

There are many travel tours to Uluru to choose from. These travel tours not only take you from the pick-up point to Uluru, but also provide various other facilities, such as meals, tour guides, and many more. You can find many Uluru tour packages at Traveloka.

Transportation Options near Uluru for Getting Around

There are a number of ways to get around Uluru. What's interesting is that some of the methods of getting around Uluru are really fun. 

1. By Bike

If you're passionate about two-wheelers, you can visit Outback Cycling Uluru to rent a bike and tour the great rock. Bikes are available for children and adults. 

By cycling, you can explore Uluru's 15km base path, which takes about 3 hours to complete. Bike rentals are only available between 7. 00AM and 11. 00AM due to Uluru's location in the desert, which is very hot. 

2. Camel Ride

The Uluru Camel Tour offers several options. Firstly, there is the 1.5-hour express tour. This tour departs at 10.30 AM and 2.00 PM. Then, there is the 2.5-hour sunrise and sunset tour. The sunrise and sunset tour depart every 1 to 1.5 hours before sunset and sunrise. 

3. By Helicopter

There are no skyscrapers at Uluru, so the only way to see these rock formations from above is by helicopter. Several operators can charter amazing flights over the area. The view of the Uluru area is breathtaking from above, but keep in mind that if you take this method of getting around Uluru, you'll need to prepare an extra budget. 

4. By Segway

Segways are two-wheeled vehicles that are commonly found at Uluru, apart from bikes. Segways at Uluru are equipped with special tyres to roll around on the ground. Before beginning a tour of Uluru by Segway, most visitors will be given instructions on how to operate the vehicle. 

5. Walking

You can get up close to the wonders of the earth by walking along the basic paths of Uluru. However, it's recommended that you take one of the guided walking tours that give directions on various places in Uluru, such as the ancient cave paintings.

Accommodations near Uluru

Here are some recommendations for hotels near Uluru that you can book.

1. Desert Palms Alice Springs

Address: 74 Barrett Drive, Alice Springs, Northern Territory, Australia, 0871

Prices: starts from AU$ 148.71

The first hotel recommendation is Desert Palms Alice Springs, which is located in Alice Springs. The hotel is not far from the Alice Springs Conference Centre and Lasseters Casino, making your Uluru adventure even more complete. Desert Palms Alice Springs offers a tropical island vibe, with palm trees surrounding the outdoor swimming pool making guests feel more comfortable relaxing on the poolside sun loungers.

2. DoubleTree by Hilton Alice Springs

Address: 82 Barrett Drive, Alice Springs, Northern Territory, Australia, 0870

Prices: starts from AU$ 219.00

Not much fun than the previous hotel, DoubleTree by Hilton Alice Springs has an array of excellent facilities for visitors. The hotel features a large outdoor swimming pool with views of the lush surroundings. Then, there are various sports facilities that guests can use, including a fitness centre, tennis courts, and golf.

3. Discovery Parks - Alice Springs

Address: Palm Place, Alice Springs, Northern Territory, Australia, 0870

Prices: starts from AU$ 144.62

Featuring a range of enjoyable facilities, you can book Discovery Parks - Alice Springs if you plan to visit Uluru. The hotel features a spacious outdoor pool with lush views. Around the pool, there are beach umbrellas and pool sun loungers that guests can use to relax. For those who like to read, you can enter the library and find various interesting reading materials. Other facilities available at Discovery Parks - Alice Springs are a game room, billiards, and fitness room.

4. Crowne Plaza Alice Springs Lasseters, an IHG Hotel

Address: 93 Barrett Drive, Northern Territory, Alice Springs, Northern Territory, Australia, 0870

Prices: starts from AU$ 144.62

After exploring the great Uluru, you'll want to rest comfortably. Crowne Plaza Alice Springs Lasseters, an IHG Hotel is the place to go. The hotel offers spa and massage facilities for guests so you can relax and rejuvenate. Other facilities available at this hotel include a casino, a fitness centre, and a large outdoor swimming pool.

5. Alice on Todd Apartments

Address: 1-11 Strehlow Street, Alice Springs, Northern Territory, Australia, 0870

Prices: starts from AU$ 160.08

The last recommendation is a family-friendly hotel with children's toys and a game room, Alice on Todd Apartments. Here, you can relax comfortably by the pool while enjoying snacks from the hotel staff or having a picnic with your family. In the evening, you can barbecue or read a book at the hotel library.

Tourist Destinations near Uluru

There are plenty of fun activities to do around Uluru. Here are the recommendations:

1. Explore the Field of Light Art Installation

Under the pre-dawn light that envelops Uluru, you can enjoy the colourful lights that illuminate the desert at the Field of Light art installation. This phenomenon is the work of British artist, Bruce Munro, who uses around 50,000 solar-powered light bulbs to brightly light up an area seven times the size of a football pitch.

2. Journey into the Australian Outback at Kings Canyon

Have the experience of a lifetime by climbing the 100-metre high cliffs and marvel at the sheer beauty of the landscape at Kings Canyon. Here you can see sandstone walls, cliffs, and abyssal caves. The trip lasts three hours and explores the canyon floor filled with boulders.

3. Connect with Local Maruku artists

Join a dot painting workshop with local artists at Maruku Arts, where you can also carve wood. There are 900 Anangu artists from 20 secluded desert communities around Aluru. Visitors can learn about the nature of the desert, the symbols used in their art, and the bush medicine used by the local people.

Food Specialties near Uluru Worth Trying

When visiting Uluru, don't miss out on trying some of the local specialities. 

1. Croc Dog

This unique hot dog is rarely found in Australia. You can order a croc dog made from crocodile meat. It tastes quite good and makes you want to taste it again. 

2. Bloody Mary

Bloody mary is a drink that contains lime, pepperberry, spicy kangaroo, juniper fruit, and plum. The flavour of this drink is very fresh because it uses high-quality ingredients. 

3. Damper

Damper is a home-made thick bread from Australia. This bread is made from wholemeal. You can find dampers that still serve traditional flavours around Uluru.

Travel Tips for Visiting Uluru

To make your trip to Uluru enjoyable and comfortable, you can follow the tips below. 

1. Bring at Least a 1 Litre Water Bottle

The Uluru area is very dry, so you'll need to pack at least 1 litre of water to stay hydrated. 

2. Read the Sign

When walking Uluru, take note of the signs on the ground. Some of the signs indicate that the place is sensitive enough so that visitors are not allowed to take photos.

Uluru is a natural wonder in Australia that features enormous rock formations. You can marvel at the place and find fun activities around Uluru. Plan your trip to Uluru by booking your hotel through Traveloka now!