Ayers Rock Resort FAQ

No, for safety reasons, walking to the Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park from the resort is not advised. There are a number of transport options to take you to the Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park. Check in at the reception desk of your hotel or visit the Tourist Information Centre in Town Square for more information and transportation options.

The best time to visit is during the dry season, from May to September, when the weather is cooler, and the roads are more accessible. The wet season (October to April) brings heavy rains, humidity, and road closures, particularly in remote areas.

It depends on your route. Major highways like the Stuart Highway are sealed and accessible with a 2WD. However, if you plan to explore more remote areas, a 4WD is recommended for navigating rough and unsealed roads.

During peak season (May to September), it's a good idea to book accommodation and campsites several months in advance. 

It’s generally advised to avoid driving at night, particularly in rural and remote areas. Wildlife such as kangaroos and cattle can wander onto the roads, creating dangerous driving conditions.

Slow down and sound your horn to alert the animal. Never swerve abruptly to avoid wildlife, as this can cause accidents. If possible, stop safely and wait for the animal to move off the road.

Service stations can be sparse, particularly in remote areas, so it’s important to plan ahead and refuel whenever you see a station, especially outside of towns. Carry extra fuel if traveling in particularly isolated regions.

Key items include:

• Plenty of water and non-perishable food/snacks.
• Sun protection: sunscreen, hats, sunglasses.
• A first-aid kit and insect repellent.
• Spare tires, fuel, and basic vehicle tools.
• A detailed map or GPS, especially if heading off the main highways.

Mobile coverage is generally available in towns and along major highways. However, in remote areas, coverage can be limited or non-existent. It’s recommended to carry a satellite phone or an EPIRB (emergency beacon) for emergencies in remote locations.

Tap water in towns and cities is generally safe to drink. However, in remote areas, it’s recommended to carry your own drinking water or treat the water before consuming. Always ensure you have enough water for the trip, especially in desert regions.

Sails in the Desert, Desert Gardens Hotel, The Lost Camel and the Outback Hotel and Lodge all have accessible rooms available. We also have a small number of wheelchairs and shower chairs available for guest use. Please advise our reservations team at the time of booking if you require an accessible room, wheelchair or shower chair.

Airport Transfers are complimentary for Ayers Rock Resort hotel guests and meet all commercial flights arriving and departing from Ayers Rock (Connellan) Airport. No bookings are taken for this service.

On arrival at Ayers Rock Airport, simply collect your luggage and head outside the terminal to the waiting AAT Kings coaches and board the coach that is going to your booked hotel.

Return transfers to Ayers Rock Airport depart from outside your hotel approximately two hours prior to your scheduled flight departure time. Please ensure you check with hotel reception for exact departure times.

Please note that not all coaches are wheelchair accessible. To ensure we can accommodate your needs, if you require an accessible coach, please inform our reservations team so we can arrange the appropriate transfer.

Currently none of our pools are heated.

Campfires are only permitted during the winter months; however, they’re only allowed if there is not a total fire ban in place. Guests must bring their own enclosed fire pit and it must be raised off the ground. No fires are permitted on the camping lawns.

Unfortunately, we currently do not offer vouchers at this time.

Dogs are permitted at Ayers Rock Campground, but must be kept on a leash at all times. Unfortunately, cats are not permitted at Ayers Rock Campground, or anywhere in the township of Yulara. Please note, dogs (excluding service animals) are not permitted in Campground cabins, or dining facilities at Ayers Rock Resort.

There are insects throughout the year, but you might notice fewer during the cooler months of May-September.

There are currently no track closures in Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park.

Occasionally, weather conditions make it unsafe for tours to operate. When that happens, people who have booked the tour will be notified of the cancellation and offered an alternative option or a refund depending on the circumstances of the cancellation.

Some tours are accessible for our guests in wheelchairs – please check with reception for more information. We have a limited number of wheelchairs available at the resort. If you require one, please mention it during your booking, or contact our reservations team anytime to make sure a wheelchair is available.

Yes! Umbrellas are available for hire from Emu Walk Apartments and Desert Gardens Hotel.

A $50 deposit is required to hire an umbrella, which will be charged to your room. This deposit will be reversed once the umbrella is returned.

Ilkari Restaurant located within Sails in the Desert is open daily for an international buffet breakfast & dinner. 

Walpa Lobby Bar, also located within Sails in the Desert, is open for all day with a limited à la carte menu.

Pira Pool Bar, located Sails in the Desert's pool is open daily for lunch and Wednesday to Saturday for dinner.

In room dining is also available 24/7 at Sails in the Desert.

Within the Town Square, Geckos Café is open daily for lunch and early dinner, offering dine in or takeaway. Ayers Wok Noodle Bar is open daily for takeaway dinner. Kulata Academy Café, which is run by National Indigenous Training Academy trainees, is also open daily for a light breakfast and lunch.

Located at Desert Gardens Hotel, Mangata Bistro & Bar is open for coffee from 8am daily, with an all-day dining menu from 11am to 9pm. Arnguli Grill & Restaurant is open for dinner from 6pm  

The Bough House Restaurant, Outback Kiosk, Outback BBQ & Bar, and the Outback Bottle Shop are open daily at the Outback Hotel & Lodge. 

Please visit our dining page for additional details regarding opening hours for each outlet and information on resort shopping and services.

Ayers Rock Resort offers an array of tours and experiences, from captivating sunrises to breathtaking sunsets and everything in between! Explore our Experience page for a complete lineup of activities, from outdoor dining experiences to guided tours of Uluru and Kata Tjuta. Plus, enjoy complimentary guest activities included in your stay. Check out our exclusive Free Guest Activity program.

Ayers Rock Resort is cashless. All hotels, dining locations, and most outlets in Town Square are only accepting card payments. The IGA Supermarket and Shell Service Station are still accepting cash but these are the only exception. Please note, a 0.9% surcharge will apply to all credit card payments. No payment surcharge will apply to debit card payments.

Yes - the Town Square IGA supermarket is open daily with a great assortment of food items. Emu Walk Apartments do have microwaves in-room.

Yes. If you booked with a travel agent, please contact your agent to cancel. If you booked a tour with us, please contact our support team at [email protected] and we will respond within 3 business days.

In most instances our standard cancellation policy will apply. Existing rates will be honoured on all Voyages Accommodation and Touring. Should you wish to amend your booking please contact our support team at [email protected] and we will respond within 3 business days.

Yes, all hotels provide safe, high-quality tap water for drinking.

A refillable water station is located outside the Tourist Information Centre in Town Square.

For directions, visit the Resort Map. 

Yes! There are complimentary parking areas located throughout the Resort, in designated hotel parking facilities.

Parking on firetrails and service roads is not permitted to allow access for emergency service vehicles.

To guarantee a view of Uluru, we recommend booking a Deluxe Rock View Room at Desert Gardens Hotel.

Yes, Kata Tjuta is visible from all of the lookouts within and just outside of the Resort. This includes Imalung Lookout, located in the middle of the ring road in the Resort, the Campground Lookout, Uluru Lookout, Outback Lookout, and Ewing Lookout which is located next to the Camel Farm.

Be sure to head into the Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park where you will be able to explore them.

To avoid overcrowding, pools at each hotel are dedicated for the guests of that hotel. Guests staying at Emu Walk Apartments are welcome to use the pool at Desert Gardens Hotel. See resort map for location.

Emu Walk Apartments come fully equipped with kitchens.

There are self-serve BBQ's available at the Ayers Rock Resort Campground only.

Yes! Walpa, Pira Pool Bar, Ayers Wok, Mangata Bistro & Bar and Gecko's all offer children's menus with kid-friendly options.

While the restaurants are all located away from the view of Uluru, our exceptional dining experiences offer a fantastic and unforgettable view!

All restaurants and outdoor dining experiences offer gluten-free options. 

Yes – takeout options are available from Geckos Cafe, Ayers Wok Noodle Bar, Kulata Cafe, and at the Outback Kitchen.

All restaurants and outdoor dining experiences offer vegetarian and vegan options.  

Sheets and towels are provided in rooms, and pool towels are available at the pool. For guests staying in the dormitory at the Outback Lodge, sheets and towels are included.

No need to be too fancy! Smart casual clothing is recommended. Avoid white trousers, skirts, jeans, or shoes as the red earth will stain them.

No as there is no government enforced testing requirement to enter the NT. We do recommend guests complete a RAT test 24 hours prior to arrival as the health and safety of our guests, staff and local community are our top priority.

Gratuities are appreciated but are optional! They are not required at any of our restaurants.

Yes, all hotel and lodge rooms contain a heating/air conditioning unit.

Click here to view a map of the campground. 

In-room WiFi is complimentary for all guests across the resort.

Yes, Ayers Rock Resort features an IGA Supermarket, located in the Resort Town Square. Providing a one-stop shop for all your essential needs, here you'll find a selection of fresh produce and everyday groceries.

Open daily from 9:00am - 7:00pm.

Yes, it can rain at any time of the year. Traditionally the highest rainfall months are November and December. However, our desert location means that overall we receive little rain.

Babysitting is available, but due to limited availability it should be pre-booked in advance. You can arrange for babysitting services through the hotel’s front desk. 

A refillable water station is located outside the Tourist Information Centre in Town Square.

For directions, visit the Resort Map. 

The health and wellbeing of our staff and guests is of the utmost importance. We have implemented an enhanced safety standards along with hygiene measures to meet a new level of expectation. In conjunction with industry leading health and safety partners and our preferred chemical & PPE suppliers we will employ a range of best practice measures for the effective management of COVID-19 across all areas of our business.

New measures include:

a) Enhanced cleaning protocols including the daily use of hospital grade cleaning materials and regular deep cleaning of guest rooms and public areas

b) Comprehensive safety and hygiene training for all staff including mandatory infection control training for COVID-19, which will be rigorously audited

c) New guest contact measures in all outlets including social distancing protocols, availability of hand sanitiser & masks and contactless payments solutions where possible

d) Enhanced food and safety standards including established new COVID-19 protocols with all employees to wear masks and gloves in the kitchen

e) Using up to date information on status and control measures from Government Health agencies to continually adjust and improve our operating protocols in line with recommendations

f) In addition, we will be working with our transport and touring partners to ensure best practice protocols are implemented with a Voyages staff member available for all departures to provide support and service as required.

To cancel a room reservation that you booked via a travel agent, please contact your agent. If you booked directly with us, please contact our support team at [email protected] and will respond within 3 business days. 

Email us with your booking confirmation number and your infant’s age to request a free portable cot. You can also email to request an extra rollaway bed at a cost of $60 per night.

There is a Tour & Information Centre at the resort with more information about all available tours. Guests can book their tours at the Centre; however, since space is limited we recommend pre-booking online to avoid disappointment

To change or cancel an existing reservation please contact reception. 

Guests can hop on the complimentary resort shuttle service, which circulates the resort every 15-20 minutes between 10.30am and 12.30am. Or enjoy the walk – it’s the best way to explore and get familiar with your new surroundings. It takes anywhere from three to 15 minutes to walk from one hotel property to another within the resort.

Reservations are required for dinner at Ilkari Restuarant at Sails in the Desert and can be made online here. Arnguli Grill at Desert Gardens Hotel also requires a reservation which can be made at reception. All other restaurants are first come first serve.

Alice Springs is approximately 450km away from the resort (a 4.5 hour drive, or 1 hour flight).

Kings Canyon is roughly 350km away, a 3.5-hour drive along the Stuart Highway. For an off-road experience, guests can take the Mereenie loop road instead, which is only suitable for 4WD vehicles.

We recommend booking as soon as your travel dates are confirmed, regardless of season.

This depends on the accommodation booked. Rooms are cleaned daily at Sails in the Desert and Desert Gardens Hotel, unless you leave the ‘do not disturb’ sign on your door.

If you have specific food allergies or special dietary requirement, please let us know at the time of booking.
Also, lease let your server know when arriving at your chosen restaurant and we will ensure you are taken care of.

Unfortunately no, due to food handling and preparation guidelines, we cannot accommodate this request.

Mutitjulu community is located within the National Park in a restricted area approximately 30kms away from the Resort. Voyages are communicating with both Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park and Mutitjulu management on a regular basis to ensure that all necessary precautions are being taken to reduce the risk of community members coming into contact with the virus.

Aboriginal Territorians live with much higher rates of chronic conditions when compared with Non-Aboriginal people. Therefore they are at greater risk of more serious illness if they are infected with COVID-19. A COVID-19 outbreak in an Aboriginal community could have devastating consequences for the local residents.

As a company, we are taking extra precautions to minimize the risk to the Anangu people and protect one of the world’s oldest living cultures so they can continue to preserve age-old traditions and heritage in the present day. 

You too have a role to play and we would appreciate your cooperation to comply with NT restrictions, as part of your personal responsibility.

Currently, 24-hour in-room dining is available at Sails in the Desert Hotel only.

No, all of our restaurants and patios are non-smoking areas.

Ayers Rock Campground is open all year. Campground reception is open from 8:15am - 8pm. Pool opening hours are seasonal, and the pool is locked at night.

No, there are no specific dress code requirements. We recommend smart casual dress for all restaurants at the resort.

To visit Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, guests are required to purchase a Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park Pass. The park is open 365 days a year. There are entry fees for both adults and children, with options for 3-day passes. For the most up-to-date information on park pass prices, visit the official website. Passes can be purchased here. Enjoy your visit! 

Please note: The Northern Territory Park Pass does not include Uluru. To visit Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, you will need to purchase a separate Uluru-Kata Tjuta park visitor pass. 

Yes, we'd love to help your group celebrate! Please reach out to us using the Contact Us Form so we can assist in organising a cake prior to your arrival. 

We want to ensure your arrival is as smooth as possible. You are welcome to drop off your bags at your accommodation before parking your car, making your check-in more convenient. Luggage trolleys are available at hotel reception for your convenience.

For added convenience, we offer a porter service at Sails in the Desert, Desert Gardens Hotel, Emu Walk Apartments, The Lost Camel Hotel, and the Outback Hotel & Lodge, and our porters are happy to assist by delivering your luggage to your room while you park your car.

Service animals are welcome in all public areas. Service Dogs must be certified, and this can be done by visiting your vet and medical practitioner to obtain the declarations needed to fill out parts 3 and 4 of the Assistance Dog Application Form. Certification and evidence from your relevant local government that your dog is registered and microchipped is a requirement and condition of booking. Please notify us that you will be travelling with a service animal at the time of making your reservation.  

• Assistance dogs should wear a harness alerting to their status. Documentation to establish that the dog has passed the mandatory Public Access Test (PAT) is recommended. We reserve the right to request a guest and their service animal to leave the premises if the animal is not well behaved.
• Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park allows both Service Dogs and Emotional Support Dogs and the dogs details will be recorded at the entry gate and communicated to everyone on duty. Service Dogs are provided with bright yellow tags so they are easily spotted and to stop continual reports from other visitors that there is a dog in the park.
• Non-service/ pet dogs are only permitted to stay at Ayers Rock Campground (cabins excluded).

Please visit our Dining page to check available dining hours by location.

The coolest months are June-August, when average daytime temperatures are around 20° and the average evening temp is 1°C. November-February are our warmest months, with average daytime temperatures of 35°C, dropping to 25°C at night.

Account2Account is a secure, fee-free payment method where you can transfer money from select Australian banks to pay for purchases. If you bank with one of the banks listed below, you can simply logon using your online banking details and make an online payment from you bank account in real time.

Please note: Account2Account payments are only available to customers of ANZ, Bank of Melbourne, Bendigo, Bank West, Commonwealth Bank, NAB, St George & Westpac.

We think any time is a wonderful time to visit, with all seasons offer a unique perspective of the desert landscape. 
Summer is warm to hot during the day, perfect for a swim or relaxing in the air-conditioning. Yet you will have balmy, pleasant mornings and evenings.
Winter has moderate temperatures during the day. The early mornings and evenings will get cold. Warm layers, jackets and scarves will be needed.
Autumn and Spring tend to have more moderate, consistent temperatures.

The drinking age in Australia is 18 years or older. Valid photo I.D. is required to obtain alcoholic beverages at our restaurants and bars. A hotel room key or campground pass is also required to purchase alcohol at any of our food and beverage outlets.

Opening hours are from 8:15am - 8pm, 7 days a week. 

All hotels have laundry facilities that guests can use, free of charge. Emu Walk Apartments have laundry facilities in the apartments.
Ayers Rock Resort Campground has paid laundry facilities. Some of the machines require coins to operate but you get the coins back afterwards.
The resort also offers dry-cleaning services and hotel laundry, which are available for a fee.

The Yulara Medical Centre is located close to Ayers Rock Resort.
Opening hours are as follows:

Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday & Friday
8:30AM – 5:00PM 
Thursday 
8:30AM – 12:30PM

Closed daily from 12:30pm – 1:30pm for Lunch

To make an appointment, please call 08 8956 2286.

The Medical Centre is operated by the Central Australian Aboriginal Congress (CAAC). For more information on what the clinic offers, please visit their website. 

Each visit is different, so fees may vary. If you have a Medicare card, you will be able to file a claim for coverage. For international guests with travel insurance, you'll be able to invoice your insurance company once you arrive back home. 

For any medical supplies required, there is a pharmacy section in the IGA supermarket.

There are a full range of professional services available to take care of all your needs while you’re on holiday, including: 

Post Office: Located in Town Square; Monday – Friday, 8:30am – 3:00pm

Auto Mechanic: Located on Giles Street just outside the resort; Monday – Friday, 8:00am – 5:00pm 

Petrol Station: Located near Ayers Rock Campground; open daily 7:30am – 5:00pm

Ilkari Restaurant, Sails in the Desert Hotel
Mangata Restaruant, Desert Gardens Hotel
Bough House Restaurant, Outback Hotel & Lodge
Gecko’s Café - Town Square
Kulata Academy Café - Town Square

Guests at the Resort can easily access the following retail outlets and shops: 

Supermarket: Located in the Town Square; open daily, 9:00am – 7:00pm. There is no pharmacy on the Resort, but the supermarket stocks a basic assortment of medical supplies. For any medications you urgently need, please make an appointment with the Medical Centre. 

Souvenirs: Hotel boutiques and the Town Square offer a great assortment of souvenirs. You can also purchase souvenirs from the Cultural Centre in Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park. 

Art Galleries: Browse and shop for art at Mulgara Gallery located at Sails in the Desert, open daily 8:30am – 4:30pm, or the Gallery of Central Australia (GoCA) located adjacent to Desert Gardens Hotel, open daily 9:00am – 5:00pm.

A hat, sunglasses, camera, water and closed-toe, sturdy walking shoes are recommended. Between April and October, be sure to pack warm clothing and layers, especially for sunrise and sunset tours when it can be quite cool.

Please visit our Dining page to check available menus by location.

Cars with rooftop tents use van sites – choose between powered or unpowered sites.

Campground guests with tents are able to park next to or near their tent on the roads outside of the bollards that surround the lawns.

There is a local supermarket (IGA) in the Town Square that sells a variety of snacks and groceries.

It depends on the terms of the package you have booked. Some rates are non-refundable or may involve cancellation fees. Terms are advised at time of booking, so make sure to review all info carefully when you book to avoid any surprises.

All food and beverage outlets within the resort are child-friendly. Alternatively, our outdoor dining experiences have minimum age requirements outlined at the time of booking.