A visit to the Red Centre is not just about Uluru (Ayers Rock), although ‘the Rock’ is one of Australia’s best-known icons. There’s much to see and explore and a great range of accommodation options – from 5-star to camping under the open desert sky.
There are numerous affordable accommodation options from camp grounds through to 5-star luxury. Regardless of your budget, there’s something for you.
To help you find what you’re looking for, we’ve created this epic list of Uluru accommodation options prepared to suit your needs, timeline, budget and plans.
Uluru luxury accommodation
These days, a great deal of Uluru’s accommodation is top quality. With luxury accommodation in Uluru growing in popularity, it’s very tempting to spoil yourself!
Located in the shadow of Uluru, Longitude 131 sets the standard for opulent accommodation in the region, with 16 luxury tents perched atop red sand dunes. Enjoy one of the finest meals that Australia has to offer and relax with a drink while you look towards the horizon, where Uluru is a permanent feature. This luxurious accommodation is truly five star, and even better, your tour options are included in the room rate.
The Ayers Rock Resort and its Sails in the Desert hotel are synonymous with luxury. The hotel gets its name from the large white sails which protect the luxury rooms from the desert sun, with the design inspired by the artwork of the Anangu people, the traditional owners of the region. Float in the gumtree-fringed swimming pool, indulge yourself at any one of the great on-site restaurants and bars or spoil yourself with a treatment at the internationally-renowned Red Ochre Spa.
Perfect Uluru getaway
A great way to see a whole lot of the Red Centre in a short period of time or on a tight budget is by checking out an Uluru holiday package, which combines the important sites at an affordable price. If you’re going to stay for a night (or a few), you’ll find most of the accommodation options in Uluru’s nearby township of Yulara.
Just 20km from Uluru in Yulara are the Emu Walk Apartments, fully serviced and self-contained apartments which give you that home-away-from-home feeling. The rooms are decorated with authentic Aboriginal art from regional artist Raymond Walters, and the complex itself is situated close to the Yulara Town Square.
Another highlight is the Desert Gardens Hotel in Yulara. Take a deluxe ‘rock view’ room to see the colours change across Uluru as the sun moves through the sky. Alternatively, book a shady garden view room to cool down after a day exploring the Red Centre. At night, there are several dining options which combine international culinary flair with local ingredients.
For a more affordable option, try Ayers Rock Resort’s Outback Pioneer Hotel, which is also located in Yulara. The rooms are spacious and comfortable, while all guests have access to a range of facilities including the swimming pool, tennis, squash and basketball courts, along with all of the Resort’s restaurants. You’ll love the Outback Pioneer BBQ and Bar, where you can select your own meat and cook it for yourself on the BBQ, surrounded by live music and a great atmosphere.
Sleeping under the stars: caravan & camping grounds
The Australian Red Centre is famous for its starry, starry nights, and there’s no better way to see the full kaleidoscope than by doing a spot of camping at Uluru.
The Ayers Rock Campground (Yulara) has plenty of space, with powered and unpowered sites, along with facilities for caravans and camper vans.
If you’re looking for a true traditional Territory experience, look no further than Curtin Springs Wayside Inn and Cattle Station. Only a one hour drive from Yulara, Curtin Springs offers comfortable and affordable accommodation as well as a campground, with 4 powered sites and a number of unpowered sites. The unpowered sites are free, but there’s a small charge for using the hot showers.
The perfect Kings Canyon getaway
Just three hours drive from Uluru and 4.5 hours from Alice Springs is the glorious Kings Canyon, a scenic outcrop which is a must-see in the Red Centre. With accommodation options that range from standard rooms to deluxe spa suites to camping grounds, the Discovery Kings Canyon Park provides you with excellent access to the canyon itself, along with the many other wonders of Watarrka National Park. The park also has a range of quality dining experiences, including Carmichael’s Restaurant, Outback BBQ & Grill, The Thirsty Dingo Bar, Under a Desert Moon and Desert Oaks Bistro.
If you consider yourself a bit of an adrenaline junkie or you’re looking for more adventure, Kings Creek Station is calling. The station is just 30km from Kings Canyon, one of the Red Centre’s most remarkable natural landscapes, and the range of activities includes quad bikes and helicopter flights.
‘Glamping' – glamorous camping – has all of the best parts of camping but without the need to carry and set up a tent. The Dreamtime Escarpment Package by Kings Creek Station is a once-in-a-lifetime glamping experience. The spacious and airy tents are positioned along the escarpment, providing beautiful views from every angle.
Most visitors to Uluru and the Red Centre stay for at least 3 nights – there’s so much to see and do that one day isn’t enough. Check out these itineraries for more planning information.
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