This guest post details the accommodation, the history, and the features of Uluru in Australia.
Most tourists who visit the great Uluru Ayers Rock are completely amazed by its brilliance. In photos, the big sandstone rock doesn’t look nearly as impressive as it does when it’s seen in real life.
As the sun moves across the sky, visitors can expect to see shadows cast on many different shapes, lines, and formations on the rock. Making it one of the best things to view in Australia.
There is much more to this gorgeous attraction than meets the eye. Sacred to Aboriginal people, Ayers Rock has a rich history filled with stories from thousands of years ago.
Unfortunately, some tourists have reported that visiting the sacred space costs a lot and that it can be underwhelming. In this article, I want to set the record straight and give travelers from around the world a full guide to this wondrous place.
Costs in Uluru
It’s good to be aware that Ayer’s rock is in the middle of the Australian outback. This means that everything that you find there will have to be transported from bigger towns and cities.
Because it’s in the middle of the outback, water isn’t abundantly available, which means that the few lodges and accommodation stations have to make special arrangements to give guests all the food and luxury they deserve.
Recent surveys have stated that tourists should have at least $135 (AU$186) per day. About 35% of this budget will be spent on food and 40% on transportation, the rest on other random expenses.
On average couples will spend $1898 (AU$2600) per week in the Uluru National Park. A round trip from Sydney Australia to the small Ayers Rock airport can cost on average between $160-$258 (AU$220 – AU$354).
These costs are obviously dependent on which kind of accommodation you choose and what activities you plan to do. As well as whether you wish to fly directly to Ayers Rock or via Alice Springs.
To best plan your budget for your trip to Uluru, check out these budgeting tips.
Best Time to Visit Uluru
When planning any kind of trip, it’s good for tourists to consider the season in which they want to travel. This will ensure that you are ready and packed for all kinds of seasons. Even though Ayers Rock is a great trip all year round, it has some really hot months that you might want to avoid.
In the summer, temperatures can get as high as 42 degrees Celsius. During the winter, temperatures are temperate to mildly cold. One thing is for sure, you’ll never freeze in the middle of the desert, at the very least you’ll be a bit chilly.
For tourists visiting from Europe and America, it’s good to remember that seasons are different in Australia. Winter is from June to August and Summer is from December to February; the complete opposite is found in the Northern Hemisphere.
The traditional owners of Uluru have a much better understanding of weather patterns and have even divided it into 5 different seasons. The seasons include:
- When plants flower and animals breed
- When unexpected storms come
- When food becomes rare
- Cooler temperatures
- When frost surfaces
Learn more about weather patterns and temperatures in this article.
History in Uluru, Australia
Uluru was traditionally and formerly known as Yankunytjatjara. This is the name associated with the people who are the inhabitants and traditional owners of the rock itself. The word in itself, doesn’t have a specific meaning, but it has some connection to the traditional language which means ‘shadow’ and ‘crying’.
It has also been speculated by anthropologists that the name can also refer to a snake (an aboriginal ancestor) or a sacred rock hole that is found at the top of the rock.
Interestingly enough, Ayers Rock was first submerged under water hundreds of years ago. Waters have made way and left a sandstone formation in its place.
Even though the rock itself is so big, more than half of it is submerged below the ground. Through studies, archeologists have proven that the sandstone formation stretches at least 2.5 kilometers underground.
Walking around the rock, visitors will embark on a 10-kilometer journey. Found around the rock are many different sacred sites, valuable to the Uluru people. Visitors will notice that many different signs along the journey forbid any photography.
Accommodation in Uluru
Visitors can choose between a few different accommodation options. Either enjoying a luxurious retreat stay at accommodation like Longitude 131 or staying in a budget hotel, caravanning, and camping.
Depending on your budget and personal needs, you can choose accordingly. Luxury accommodations have on-site beauty spas and massage parlors. They also offer guests private bungalows with glass walls and sky roofs to star gaze at night and enjoy the gorgeous surroundings. It is one of the best accommodations Uluru.
They also provide guests with delicious meals that feature local ingredients and private patios with bonfires.
Budget accommodation will provide guests with the bare necessities. You can either bring your own caravan, tent, or camper’s trailer and enjoy setting up camp in the safe and secure camping grounds.
These facilities might have a pool available to visitors who wish to cool down, public restrooms and showers, and on-site barbecues to use at night.
OTHER ATTRACTIONS
There’s a great misconception about this area that it only has the big sandstone rock to offer. Uluru Kata Tjuta National Park has loads more to offer. Upon paying an entrance fee, visitors will have a 3-day pass to explore the surroundings.
Visitors can do the following activities:
- Drive through and around the National Park while taking scenic photos (Talinguru Nyakunytjaku is a new viewing spot with no photo restrictions)
- Watch the sunrise or sunset from a viewing spot between Kata Tjuta and Uluru
- 1-2.5-hour walking tours, most of which is wheelchair accessible
- Learn more about local history and culture by visiting the Cultural Centre
- Enjoy a scenic Harley Davidson Motorcycle tour or a helicopter flight over the big rock
Uluru has loads to offer visitors within all budget ranges. No one will leave the area disappointed. Hopefully, these Uluru tips help you to plan your next holiday.
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*This is a contributed post, all images owned by jetsetandforget, pexels.com and pixabay.com
