Rock resort covers all options

Ayers Rock Resort offers guests six accommodation options covering every budget and lifestyle choice from five-star luxury resort to a three-star lodge. There’s even a campground. In all, the accommodation options cater for 2,500 guests.

Those options are impressive and start with the Ayers Rock Resort itself, the four-star Desert Gardens Hotel and Emu Walk Apartments, and the three-star Lost Camel Hotel and Outback Hotel and Lodge.

The facilities include swimming pools, 11 bars and restaurants, shared kitchens, free WiFi, complimentary resort shuttle, airport transfers, live entertainment, red Ochre Spa, supermarket, gift shop, playground, barbecue areas, and laundry.

The showpiece Ayers Rock Resort is stunning, a desert oasis, if you will.

As we walk in, staff are ready with an icy cold towel to freshen up as it’s 46º Celsius outside.

The resort is built around a magnificent pool area in beautiful gardens that underscore the oasis theme.

And there are a host of attractions.

• Wintjiri Wiru

Launched in 2023, this sound, light, and drone show is a spectacular cultural storytelling experience.

• Field of Light

An immersive light installation by artist Bruce Munroe, illuminating the desert.

• Desert Awakenings

Touring in the national park with a knowledgeable guide.

• Astro Tour

Outback night sky tour with guide and telescopes.

• Sound of Silence

Dune-top dining with native flavours and didgeridoo performance.

• Tali Wiru

Intimate fine-dining under the stars. Native flavours paired with premium Australian wine.

• The Gallery of Central Australia

Access to work from 22 remote Central and Western Desert Art Centres.

The restaurant selection at the resort complex is comprehensive and caters for all tastes and budgets.

• Arnguli Grill and Restaurant: premium dining with Indigenous flavours.
• Mangata Bistro and Bar: bush tucker flavours.
• Ilkari Restaurant: an amazing breakfast and dinner buffet.
• Geckos Bar: kid-friendly dinning and hearty classics.
• Walpa Bar: Light bites and cocktails.
• Pira Pool Bar: casual poolside dining.
• Outback BBQ and Bar: a DIY barbecue.
• Outback Kiosk: casual dining and takeaways.

All guests, no matter which accommodation choice, have access to any of the 11 restaurants dining options and a free shuttle bus operates across the resort from 10am to midnight daily.

There is a major focus at the Ayers Rock Resort on ecotourism and respect and support for the traditional owners.

In 2024, Ayers Rock Resort received ‘Advanced Ecotourism’ and ‘Respecting Our Culture’ certification from Ecotourism Australia. It is clearly committed to conserving the environment and protecting cultural authenticity and integrity.

The resort is part of the National Indigenous Training Academy (NITA), which delivers training and employment programs in hospitality and tourism for young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

Directly supporting the natural attractions, the resort is part of the Anangu Community Foundation, which is dedicated to making a positive impact to Anangu – the traditional owners of Uluru – in the areas of health, education, and social and economic wellbeing.

Intimate fine-dining under the stars.

Voyages Indigenous Tourism Australia matches each donation dollar for dollar up to $200,000 per year. Thus far, the foundation has provided $3 million in support to projects in the region.

The resort derives 45 per cent of its power from the Tjintu solar field, while it also supports the longest-running wildlife and threatened species monitoring program in the region.

Getting there

While there is no non-stop flight from Perth to Connellan Airport (Ayers Rock Airport), flights depart from Sydney, Melbourne and Cairns with Qantas and Jetstar, while Virgin Australia flies from Melbourne and Brisbane (from June 2024).

A much better idea is to fly on Airnorth direct to Alice Springs on the airline’s three times weekly jet service and hire a car with either Avis, Hertz and Thrifty car rentals.

There are also coach transfers available between Ayers Rock Resort, Kings Canyon and Alice Springs.

• Geoffrey Thomas was a guest of Voyages