Date: 20-21st August 2025
Travelled: 340 kms from Kings Canyon to Ayers Rock Resort
Visited: The Olgas and Ayers Rock
Stayed: Ayers Rock Campground, $90 pn, S25.23874, E130.99012
We make an relatively early start this morning with a final walk around the Kings Canyon CP before making the Jayco ready for the road once again.
From Kings Canyon we backtrack 170 kms to the Lasseter Highway turning for Ayers Rock which is another 150 kms on from the junction. Another long drive however thereโs considerable more traffic on the Lasseter.
As we continue west where treated to some wonderful views of Mount Conner in the distance. It stands 300 m above the surrounding terrain, locally known as โfool-uruโ for obvious reasons.
By the time we enter Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park we can see Ayers Rock in the distance.
Just some explanations the monolith rock that draws the visitors still has two registered geographic names, Ayers Rock and Uluru. The 36 dome shaped rocks also within the national park also shares two names, the Olgas and Kata Tjuแนฏa. The village some 15 kilometres from Ayers Rock where tourists must be register, to stay overnight is Yulara or Ayers Rock Resort. The signage generally shows both names of all these places.
Driving into the village we head for the CP and check ourselves in. The sites are very short and narrow generally speaking but luckily I booked an extra large site the previous week.
After settling in we drive back into the national park and pay the absolutely exorbitant entry fee of $38 pp for a 3 day pass. You cannot get close to the rock and the Olgas unless you do.
No point in posting 57 photos of the rock but the pictures above show how the colours change with the time of day. Having done a lap around the road that circles Ayers Rock we drive another 20 kilometres to the Olgas viewing point.
We thought the Olgas look there best from a distance in the late afternoon.
Back at the CP for an early dinner as we have booked to see the field of light. Not exactly action packed but we enjoyed wandering slightly aimlessly taking in the constantly changing colours.
Next morning we drive out to the large parking area close to the rock unloading the bikes to ride the cycle path around the rock. Itโs a flat well marked trail of about 10 kms. It provides fabulous views of the rock and a bit of exercise.
Some more photos from the less travelled section of the path follow.
Our ride around Ayers Rock concludes at the Cultural Centre. Apart from the cafe there are four galleries of local artwork. In one three indigenous ladies are sitting on the floor painting. So skilled with such steady hands in turning a piece of pitched canvas into something special.
Back at the CP Pam has authorised a night out at the pub. So at the appointed time we walk out and catch the shuttle bus that constantly circles the resort. Not the best pub weโve visited but possible the most expensive with a stubby and a glass of wine $25+. The food was reasonable and it was a change.
A final comment on Yulara or the Ayers Rock Resort. From our experience in the NT this was the first place where the majority of people working here were indigenous Australians. All very well spoken helpful and friendly. Didnโt walk past anyone wearing a resort uniform without a friendly greeting.
So that was our visit to Ayers Rock stroke Uluru, just about time to point the Jayco back home.
Michael + Pam
One thought on “Ayers Rock, Northern Territory ๐ฆ๐บ 2025”
We were there in the 80th when we could climb the rock.no entrance fees etc.The colours of the rock and the Olga’s are certainly wonderful.
Safe travels Johannes ๐ค