Frommer's Australia from $50 a Day 13th Edition - To Parent Directory

ULURU-KATA TJUTA NATIONAL PARK (AYERS ROCK/THE OLGAS) 387
Professional Helicopter Services (& 08/8956 7873; www.phs.com.au)
makes 15-minute flights over the canyon for A$90 (US$59) per person.
WHERE TO STAY & DINE
Apart from campgrounds, the only place to stay in Watarrka National Park is at
Kings Canyon Resort.
Kings Canyon Resort This attractive, low-slung complex 7km (4 1 ⁄3 miles)
from Kings Canyon blends into its surroundings. All but four of the larger deluxe
rooms were built in 1999 and have desert views from glass-enclosed Jacuzzis. The
remaining rooms are typical hotel rooms, comfortable enough, with restful range
views from the balcony; they were refurbished in 2001. The double/twin, quad,
and family lodge rooms are adequate low-budget choices, with a communal
kitchen and bathroom facilities. The resort has a well-stocked mini-mart where
you can buy meat for the barbecues; a live band plays some nights. A ranger gives
a slide show several nights a week. Internet access is available.
Luritja Rd., Watarrka National Park, NT 0872. & 1800/817 622 in Australia, or 08/8956 7442. Fax 08/8956
7426. www.voyages.com.au. 164 units, 128 with bathroom (32 with Jacuzzis); 72 powered campsites and
tent sites. High season (July–Nov) A$330–A$397 (US$215–US$258) hotel room double; low season
(Dec–June) A$277–A$343 (US$180–US$223) hotel room double. Extra adult A$27 (US$18). Children under
16 stay free in parent’s room with existing bedding. High season A$100 (US$65) lodge room double; A$168
(US$109) quad-share; A$185 (US$120) family (to sleep 5). Low season A$98 (US$64) lodge room double;
A$163 (US$106) quad-share; A$178 (US$116) family. No children in lodge rooms unless you book entire
room. A$28 (US$18) tent sites double; A$32 (US$21) powered sites double. Extra person A$11 (US$7.15)
adults, A$5 (US$3.25) children 6–15 in powered campsite. Children under 16 dine free at breakfast and dinner
buffets with an adult. Ask about packages in conjunction with Ayers Rock Resort and Alice Springs Resort.
AE, DC, MC, V. Amenities: Restaurant; cafe; 2 bars; 2 outdoor pools; outdoor day/night tennis court; volleyball
court; bike rental (from nearby gas station); tour desk; limited room service; guest laundry. In room: A/C,
TV, fridge. Hotel only: TV w/pay movies, minibar, hair dryer, iron.
5 Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park (Ayers Rock/The Olgas) ¡
462km (286 miles) SW of Alice Springs; 1,934km (1,199 miles) S of Darwin; 1,571km (974 miles) N of Adelaide;
2,841km (1,761 miles) NW of Sydney
Uluru/Ayers Rock is the Australia tourism industry’s pinup icon, a glamorous red
stone that has probably been splashed on more posters than Cindy Crawford has
been on magazine covers. Just why people trek from all over the world to gawk
at it is a bit of a mystery. For its size? Hardly, nearby Mt. Conner is three times
as big. For its shape? Probably not, when most folks agree the neighboring Kata
Tjuta/Olgas are more picturesque. You can put its popularity down to the faint
shiver up the spine and the indescribable sense of place it evokes in anyone who
looks at it. Even Aussie bushmen reckon it’s “got somethin’ spiritual about it.”
In 1985 the Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park was returned to its Aboriginal
owners, the Pitjantjatjara and Yankunytjatjara people, known as the
Anangu, who manage the property jointly with the Australian government. People
used to speculate that the Rock was a meteorite, but we now know it was
formed by sediments laid down 600 to 700 million years ago in an inland sea
and thrust up above ground 348m (1,141 ft.) by geological forces. With a circumference
of 9.4km (6 miles), the Rock is no pebble, especially because twothirds
of it is thought to be underground. On photos it looks like a big smooth
blob. In the flesh, it’s more interesting—dappled with holes and overhangs, and
its sides draped with curtains of stone, creating little coves hiding water holes
and Aboriginal rock art. It also changes color from pink to a deep wine red
depending on the slant of the sun.