1. Port Overview

  1. Ayers Rock, Australia

  3. Ayers Rock (also known as Uluru) is a large sandstone rock formation in the southern part of the Northern Territory, central Australia. It lies 335 km (208 mi) south west of the nearest large town, Alice Springs; 450 km (280 mi) by road.

    Kata Tjuta and Uluru are the two major features of the Ulu?u-Kata Tju?a National Park. Uluru is sacred to the Pitjantjatjara and Yankunytjatjara, the Aboriginal people of the area. It has many springs, waterholes, rock caves and ancient paintings. Uluru is listed as a World Heritage Site.

    Visitors to Uluru can climb the rock, view it at sunrise or sunset or walk around the base. Helicopter tours are available as are camel and balloon rides at sunset or sunrise. The Cultural Centre hosts a multitude of aboriginal creation stories and extensive articles about the history of the Pitjantjara. There are shops where you can buy local art and souvenirs.

    Things to see and do

    * Uluru viewing area - "Talinguru Nyakuntjaku"
    * Cultural Centre
    * Climb the rock
    * Walk the base or various local tracks
    * Helicopter tours
    * Camel rides at sunset or sunrise

    General Information

    Cruise Season – Jan - Dec
    Currency – Australian Dollar (AUD)
    Language – English
    Time – GMT plus eight hours
    Electricity - 2 angled pins and 1 flat pin centered below Australian style
    International Country Telephone Code – 61

    Travel Links - Ayers Rock (Connellan) airport is around 15km north of the rock, and services the resort town of Yulara. Only Qantas flies there. There are direct flights from Alice Springs, Cairns, Sydney, and Perth.

    Many travellers also fly to Alice Springs and drive or take a tour from there, but it is well over 5 hours drive from Alice Springs to Yulara. A number of tour companies based in Alice Springs visit Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park. Tours range from basic 1 day bus tours (beware, this means at least 1,000 km of driving in 1 day) up to 5 days long.