The main airport servicing Ayers Rock is Ayers Rock airport also known as Connellan airport which is situated 9 miles north of Ayers Rock and services the resort town of Yulara as well as direct flights from Alice Springs, Cairns, Sydney and Perth. If you have not booked a private transfer with us you will find rental cars and shuttle buses available at the airport to transport you to your hotel.

Ayers Rock airport is a very small airport and the only options for transportation here are hiring a car or taking a complimentary shuttle that is offered by Ayers Rock Resort. The rental car offices can be found in the baggage claim area with internationally known companies such as Hertz, Avis, and Thrift, the drive to Ayers Rock Resort in Yulara is 20 minutes away. The only other option at the airport are hotel courtesy shuttle transfers that pick you up from the airport and transfer you to the hotel, these need to be booked in advance and there will either be a fee or the service might be complimentary.

Ayers Rock is a very remote area in Central Australia and other than the main resort towns of Alice Springs and Ayers Rock in Yulara there is not much civilization in the area. The only means of transportation in the area are hiring a car, joining a guided tour, complimentary hotel shuttles or motorbike.

Renting a car for your stay in Ayers Rock is the best option to see the spectacular scenery and travel around the desert at your own pace. There are rental car companies offered at the airport, keep in mind Alice Springs is about a 5-hour journey from Ayers Rock Airport. Ayers Rock Resort in Yulara is a mere 10 - 20 minute drive from the airport. The Australian outback is a vast size, which means traveling from one major landmark to the other in this remote region can be quite the distance.

If you are staying in the Ayers Rock resort area they offer a free shuttle around the resort complex that runs every 20 minutes staring at 10:30 am daily and runs until around midnight.

Uluru Express shuttle provides transport to and from Ayers Rock Resort to Ayers Rock from sunrise to sundown, departing every hour, four times a day. The cost of the shuttle is approximately A$43 for adults and A$30 for children aged 1 - 14. The shuttle also travels to Kata Tjuta which costs around A$75 for adults and A$40 for children. There is 2 day passes available to purchase which enable you to combine unlimited trips to Ayers Rock and Kata Tjuta, the cost is approximately A$155 for adults and A$80 for children. Visit www.uluruexpress.com.au for more information.

Other options for getting to the major landmarks in the area would be to book a private tour through us, which will provide you with transportation to the points of interest in the area along with a tour guide.

One way to see the vast area of land filled with magnificent mountain ranges is to fly over them in a helicopter ride. You can arrange these in Yulura town for short rides over Uluru to longer journeys that take you over Kata Tjuta and Kings Canyon.

Another great way to see the desert is a camel ride which is a fun experience.

Yes, if you wish to see what the area has to offer renting your own car to travel around at your own pace, make up your own schedule, and visit must-see attractions is a great idea. The highways in the area are well maintained and easy to navigate, but keep in mind the distances between all of the attractions can be quite far. Watch out for animals on the road when driving at night, most of the area is filled with cattle stations and the animals are not fenced in.

The main attractions in Ayers Rock are the walks around the Parks and Mountain Ranges where hiking and walking is the main way to see the sights. There are so many options for different walks in the area such as:

Uluru base walk - 6 miles around the base of the rock which can take 3 - 4 hours to complete.

Mala walk - 1.24 miles from the parking lot at Mala to Kantju Gorge.

Walpa Gorge walk - 1.61 miles around Kata Tjuta, this is one of the easiest and shortest walks in the area.

Valley of the winds walk - 5 miles around Kata Tjuta a truly magnificent experience.

The area also offers lookout point along some of the walking routes one of the most popular being the Kata Tjuta dune viewing area, located at the top of a sand dune providing spectacular views of domes including Uluru.

Ayers Rock is a very sacred place to visit with certain sites that are closed off to visitors due to their religious significance to the local Aboriginals who founded the land. These sites will be well signposted and no photography in these areas is allowed.

The heat in the desert can be stifling with certain areas and tours being closed down when temperatures reach a scorching 100F degree (Summer - Dec/Jan). Anytime you are out in the desert exploring be sure to take plenty of water to stay hydrated, wear sunscreen and a hat and wear comfortable/appropriate walking shoes. The most imminent dangers in the desert can be the heat and risks that come along with climbing or hiking on uneven terrain.

Ayers rock is not a shopping destination although souvenirs are available at the Cultural Center in the Kata Tjuta National Park. There are shops in the resort towns of Yulara and Alice Springs with unique cultural items for sale.

The Australian dollar (Au$) is the official currency of Australia. The airport and local banks are the best places to exchange cash, banks and hotels also offer currency exchange. ATMs are widespread in the city but may be limited in more remote towns and the Outback.

For more detailed information, consult our guide to tipping in Australia by clicking here Australia

Ayers Rock offers a wide range of restaurants serving excellent cuisine along with some very unique dining experiences in breathtaking locations. There are restaurants, pubs, sports bars, performing arts and live entertainment. In Alice Springs there are plenty of cafes and restaurants to choose from offering a variety of tasty dishes from steaks and barbecued meats to more traditional dishes to suit every palette. Many of the resorts and hotels in the area offer fine dining options right at your fingertips. Inside the Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park at the Cultural Center, there are several eateries to choose from. Another good option when heading out in the park for the day is to take your own picnic and enjoy lunch amongst the spectacular scenery. The Cultural Center provides sheltered picnic areas along with gas barbeques.

Some unique dining experiences in the desert include the unforgettable `Sounds of Silence` where you dine under the stars by candlelight in the desert setting. This unique event includes champagne, canapés, beer, wine and non-alcoholic beverages along with a huge buffet followed by dessert, tea, and coffee.

Dial 000 for Police, Fire, and Ambulance.

Hospital:

Alice Springs Hospital tel. 08-8956-2286

Royal Flying Doctor Services Ayers Rock Medical Center tel. 08-8951-6713