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

ULURU-KATA TJUTA NATIONAL PARK (AYERS ROCK/THE OLGAS) 393
WHERE TO STAY & DINE
Ayers Rock Resort not only is in the township of Yulara—it is the township.
Located about 30km (19 miles) from the Rock, outside the national park
boundary, it is the only place to stay. It is an impressive, contemporary complex,
built to a high standard, very efficiently run and attractive—all things you can
end up paying an arm and a leg for. Because everyone either is a tourist or lives
and works here, it has a village atmosphere—with a supermarket; a bank; a post
office; a news agency; babysitting services; a medical center; a beauty salon; several
gift, clothing, and souvenir shops; a place to buy beer; and a gas station.
You have a choice of seven places to stay within the complex, from hotel
rooms and apartments to luxury and basic campsites. In keeping with this village
feel, no matter where you stay, even in the campground, you are free to use
all the pools, restaurants, and other facilities of every hostelry, except the rather
glamorous Sails in the Desert pool, which is reserved for Sails guests.
Ayers Rock Resort, Alice Springs Resort, and Kings Canyon Resort are managed
by Voyages Hotels & Resorts. You can book accommodations for all three
properties through the central reservations office in Sydney (& 1300/139 889
in Australia, or 02/9339 1040; fax 02/9332 4555; www.voyages.com.au). Ask
about packages for stays at one, two, or all three resorts. Warning: Shop around
for prices on the Internet and with travel agencies. My experience is that people
staying here have paid a whole range of prices.
High season is from July 1 to November 30. Book well ahead of then.
A tour desk, same-day dry-cleaning and laundry service, and babysitting are
all available at each hostelry and campground.
As well as the dining options below, the resort’s small shopping center has the
pleasant Gecko’s Café, which offers wood-fired pizzas, pastas, and sandwiches;
a bakery; an ice-creamery; and takeout. Sails in the Desert, Desert Gardens, and
the Outback Pioneer Hotel & Lodge can provide picnic hampers and breakfast
backpacks. Kids under 15 dine free at any of the hotels’ buffets in the company
of an adult. It’s a good idea to bring some wine with you, because the place has
really got things sewn up, including prices.
Outback Pioneer Hotel and Lodge A happy, all-ages crowd congregates at
this mid-range collection of hotel rooms, budget rooms, bunkrooms, and dorms.
Thirty new rooms were added in 2002, offering clean, simple accommodation
Moments
When You See the Southern Cross for the
First Time . . .
Light pollution is extremely low out in the Red Centre, so the night sky
is a dazzler. At the Ayers Rock Observatory, you can check out your
zodiac constellation and take a 1-hour tour of the Southern Hemisphere
heavens. (They’re different from the Northern Hemisphere stars.)
To visit the observatory, you must join a tour with Discovery Ecotours
(formerly Uluru Experience) (& 1800/803 174 in Australia, or 08/
8956 2563), which provides hotel pickup and a tour. Tours depart twice
a night; times vary. It costs A$30 (US$20) for adults, A$22 (US$14) for
children 6 to 15, and A$63 (US$41) for a family.