Ayers Rock Resort review: what it’s like to stay

One of the most amazing things to tick off your Australia bucket list, is to head to the outback and visit Uluṟu. And if you want to stay near the famous rock, then there is only one accommodation option – Ayers Rock Resort. Essentially a little town in itself. But what is it really like to stay? This Ayers Rock Resort review will tell you everything you need to know if you are planning a visit.

Not sure if Uluṟu should be on your bucket list?
This post should help: Is Uluṟu worth visiting?

Ayers Rock Resort Review: Overview

There is exactly one resort in Ayers Rock, and this is it. However, it is actually made up of eight separate accommodations, each suited to a different style and budget. So, no matter what you are looking for there is something for everyone. These options include:

• Sails in the Desert
• Desert Gardens Hotel
• Emu Walk Apartments
• Outback Hotel
• Outback Lodge
• The Lost Camel Hotel
• Ayers Campground

Ayers Rock Resort Review: Accommodation in depth

As mentioned, there really is an accommodation option to suit every need.

If 5* luxury is your vibe, then Sails in the Desert is the place for you. A little oasis in the middle of the outback! It has 228 rooms, a pool, spa, art gallery and restaurants. It really is a little slice of paradise. Desert Gardens Hotel is a 4* accommodation option, with 3 restaurants and a pool set in the garden.

If you are looking for a little more space and some independence then you can book Emu Walk apartments. Either one or two bed apartments with a kitchen and separate sitting room. All with restaurants and a pool in the complex.

The Outback Hotel and Outback Lodge are located in the same complex, with the same reception. Outback Lodge is for those on a budget, there are options of either a 4 bed dorm, or a 20 bed dorm, as well as family rooms. Outback Hotel has the same amenities – a pool, self cook bbq and outback bar – but with private rooms.

The Lost Camel Hotel is a boutique 3* hotel and finally Ayers Campground has cabins and both powered and unpowered sites for tents and camper vans.

How to get to Ayers Rock Resort

Included in your accommodation, no matter which accommodation you book, is a shuttle bus to and from the airport. It couldn’t be easier! As you leave the airport look for the sign for the stop for your accommodation, but there are people there to greet you as well. You get commentary as soon as you arrive, and a first glance at Uluṟu.

There is also, of course, the option to rent a car, but there are no taxis or rideshare apps.

What amenities does Ayers Rock Resort have?

One of the best things about the resort is that no matter which accommodation you book into, you have access to all the amenities in the resort.

In the Town Square, which is the heart of Ayers Rock Resort, you can find a supermarket, post office, hairdressers, and souvenir shops. On top of that there is a tourist information office, which is a fantastic place to head when you arrive to help plan your trip.

The restaurants at Ayers Rock Resort

There are a total of twelve different dining options at Ayers Rock Resort, so you are never going to be short of places to eat! You can find somewhere to eat in each hotel, or very close. These range from premium offerings in Sails in the Desert, to cafes in the Town Square and even a cook your own bbq in the Outback Lodge! This one I really recommend. You can choose which meat you want, cook it yourself on the bbqs and then have a buffet of sides to choose from.

Take a look at the full dining options HERE.

What is there to do at Ayers Rock Resort

The most obvious one – take a visit to Uluṟu and Kata Tjuta. But while you have some free time around seeing these magical places, there is plenty to do at Ayers Rock Resort!

Top Tip: If you are looking to visit both Uluṟu and Kata Tjuta, why not try this walking tour which includes sunrise at Uluṟu!

Lookouts

Dotted around Ayers Rock Resort are some stunning lookouts that you won’t want to miss when you are staying there.

The most impressive is Imalung Lookout which is located right in the middle of the resort, and gives breathtaking and uninterrupted views of Uluṟu. Make sure to visit at both sunrise and sunset to watch the changing colours of the rock.

Behind the Outback Lodge is Outback Lookout, which has beautiful views towards Kata Tjuta, especially at sunset. By Ayers Rock Campground is Uluṟu lookout, and near Emu Apartments is Naninga Lookout, both of which have beautiful views of Uluṟu.

Talks

One of the best things about staying in Ayers Rock Resort is the programme of talks they put on dotted around the resort. These are all free, and there is a programme every day. They include activities such as guided walks of the garden, a didgeridoo lesson and bush talks, where you can learn about aboriginal traditions or discover traditional foods.

Experiences

You will want to explore further than just the resort, and to make things easy, there are also plenty of experiences you can book through Ayers Rock Resort themselves. These include everything from guided tours of Uluṟu and Kata Tjuta to segway tours and after dark excursions, such as the Field of Light.

Camel Farm

There is even a camel farm at Ayers Rock Resort! It really does have everything. It is Australia’s largest camel farm and you can wander through the saddlery and visit the animal petting farm. There is also a museum where you can discover the stories and history behind some of Australia’s explorers, pioneers, Afghan cameleers, ANZAC cameleers and their Aboriginal guides. It is also free to enter.

How to get around Ayers Rock Resort

So, there are all these things to do in Ayers Rock Resort, but how do you get around? The answer is simple! There is a shuttle bus that continuously drives around the resort. It runs from 10.30am until 12.30am, every 20 minutes. So you can easily eat in one restaurant and get safely back to your accommodation at night.  It stops at all hotels, Ayers Rock Campground, Resort Town Square, Visitors’ Centre, and the Uluru Camel Farm.

There are also walkways around, and through the centre of, the resort but it gets very VERY hot during the day, so you won’t want to be out in the heat too long.

Ayers Rock Resort review: Responsible tourism

One of the core things at the heart of Ayers Rock Resort is responsible tourism. They work very closely with the Anangu and work hard to maintain respectful relationships with their culture and their land. They also have several programs to support Indigenous education, employment and tourism initiatives.

Why is it called Ayers Rock Resort?

As you may be aware, Ayers Rock is the name that was given to the sacred rock in 1837 when it was ‘discovered’ and it was known by this for 100 years. However, it’s Aboriginal name has always been Uluṟu, and the order of the names was officially changed to have Uluṟu first in 2022. The ownership of Uluṟu was finally returned to the Anangu people on October 26th 1985, by the government of Australia. In 1995 the name of the national park changed from Ayers Rock-Mount Olga National Park to Uluṟu-Kata Tjuta National Park.

So why is Ayers Rock Resort still using the old name? Simply because the Anangu people wish it to be, it is outside of the park area and not a sacred site.

Should you stay at Ayers Rock Resort?

Aside from the obvious, that there are limited options, this is a wonderful place to stay. Not only is the beautiful national park right on your doorstep, but there is so much to explore and enjoy when you are in the resort. Alternatively, the drive from the nearest town – Alice Springs – takes approximately 5 hours.

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