Ayers Rock Tour Review
I visited Ayers Rock (Uluru) at the end of my study abroad in Australia.
This article reviews the tourist spot and notes various points to consider.
Overall rating: -1 (Not recommended)
- There's nothing but the rock
- Insects are a nuisance and lower your SAN value
- Resort prices are high
Ayers Rock
Overview
Ayers Rock is a massive rock formation, often referred to as the "navel of the earth." It takes about 3-4 hours to fly from major Australian cities.
Although there were many Japanese tourists, it wasn't as popular as Cairns. Surprisingly, Australians don't seem to be interested in it either (not due to cultural conflicts, but simply because it's not that attractive to them). They say, "It's just a big rock."
It's often thought to be the largest monolith in the world, but it's actually second.
Merits
As a famous tourist spot, the rock is incredibly large and imposing.
To give you an idea of its scale, it's about five times as impressive as the 3L milk cartons you see in Australian supermarkets.
Even from a distance, it looks massive, and when you get closer, it's even more impressive.
The scale is unlike anything you experience in daily life.
It's massive even from a distance
The rock's appearance and color change depending on the viewing angle, making it interesting to observe.
The rock's surface, which is affected by erosion, varies greatly depending on the location.
While it's generally smooth, some areas are eroded, forming caves, and others have patterns created by wind, making it fascinating to observe.
Eroded rock
As a major tourist spot, the surrounding area is well-maintained and natural, with few artificial structures in sight.
This is ideal for those who want to experience nature.
The resort area is well-equipped with necessary facilities, coexisting with nature.
Demerits
While Ayers Rock itself is incredibly attractive, the problem lies in the fact that there's nothing but the rock.
No matter how good it is, you'll get bored after a few hours.
Most tours involve circling the rock in the morning, and after that, there's not much to do except visit the nearby Cultural Centre's small exhibition.
Even if you return to the resort, there's only the hotel, a few shops, and the wilderness.
You can swim in the hotel pool, but that's not what you came here for.
Depending on the person, the insects and mosquitoes can be a significant nuisance, lowering your SAN value.
I didn't expect the insects to be this bad.
It's said to get even worse in the summer, so it's recommended to visit in the winter.
The main transportation method, the bus, is extremely inconvenient, with 3-hour waits and frequent 30-minute delays.
The bus stop is also in the wilderness, so you'll constantly be bothered by insects and mosquitoes while waiting.
It's a kind of spiritual training to wait for the bus that may or may not come.
A bird that occasionally visits
Moreover, the cost is too high for a day trip.
The main flights arrive in the afternoon, leaving no time to visit the rock, so you'll need to stay overnight.
Hotels are also expensive, and the prices are high because it's a resort area.
It's not suitable for students on a budget.
Tips and More
From here on, I'll provide detailed tips and information.
I hope this will be helpful for those planning to visit.
A kangaroo riding a Segway
Ayers Rock Airport Has Nothing
The closest airport to Uluru is Ayers Rock Airport (AYQ), which receives direct flights from Brisbane and Sydney.
The airport is extremely small, with only a toilet and a vending machine.
The bus to Ayers Rock Resort is free and readily available, so try to avoid waiting at the airport.
The bus ride takes about 10-20 minutes, and you can enjoy the desert scenery and announcements.
By the way, the souvenir shop near the departure gate has some great items.
Choosing a Hotel
There are limited options, and they're all expensive, so you might as well give up and pay.
The longer you stay, the cheaper it gets, so it's better to stay for 2-3 nights with 2-3 people.
This time, I stayed at the cheapest hotel, which cost around ¥10,000 per night.
It wasn't luxurious, but the facilities, including air conditioning, kitchen, and shower, worked well.
Note that each hotel has a shuttle service to the airport.
However, the return bus is scheduled according to the flight, so if you miss the announcement, you might not be able to get a ride to the airport.
I made a mistake, but I was able to get a ride by crying at the lobby ε-(´∀｀*)ﾎｯ.
Make sure to check the schedule during check-in.
Ayers Rock Resort
The resort area is relatively small, with a souvenir shop, supermarket, and other facilities.
Prices are high due to the resort location, so it's better to prepare what you need before flying.
Each hotel has a pool, which is comfortable during the day but gets cold in the evening.
I tried to visit the Noodle Bar, but it was already closed.
The hotel I stayed at had a guest kitchen, where I cooked meat I bought at the supermarket.
Environment
It's like the ultimate wilderness.
Imagine Texas, and you'll get the idea.
Wilderness
The temperature difference between day and night is extreme, with a 20°C change.
After October, the nights aren't cold, but it's still a good idea to bring a jacket.
The days are hot, so water is essential.
The problem is the large number of insects and mosquitoes.
They'll constantly bother you while you're walking, and your SAN value will drop significantly.
Insect repellent didn't work, and I had to do pest control in my hotel room.
Access to Ayers Rock
- Buy a bus ticket
- Join a tour
- Drive yourself
If you have a rental car, option 3 is the most convenient.
Otherwise, it's either 1 or 2.
Both options involve taking the same type of bus (Hop-on Hop-off), which is often delayed by 30 minutes and has limited frequency.
You might have to wait for 3 hours for the next bus, so be prepared for a tight schedule.
This inconvenient bus costs at least A$49 per day.
The self-guided bicycle tour costs A$90, so you might as well join a tour.
Uluru Hop On Hop Off | Shuttle Service Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park |Ayers Rock Resort
Waiting for the bus at the desolate bus stop while being bothered by insects is a kind of spiritual training.
You'll need a strong heart and plenty of margin in your plan.
Around Ayers Rock
Despite all the complaints, the rock is indeed impressive.
It takes about an hour to circle the rock by bicycle.
It's massive.
However, after one round, you'll get bored.
There's a Cultural Centre with posters, traditional crafts, and a small eatery.
The bus stop is nearby, so you'll likely spend time here, but there's not much seating, and it's hard to stay for over an hour.
By the way, there's a donation box here.
Collectors, don't forget to visit.
Donation box
There's a viewing spot a short distance away, which you can visit on the last bus.
The last bus before the final one is often delayed by 30 minutes, so you might as well take a detour.
The rock's color changes as the sun sets, but I missed it, and it became grayish by the time I arrived.
Climbing Ayers Rock
Currently, you can climb the rock, but it will be completely prohibited by mid-2019.
The conditions for climbing are extremely strict (temperature, wind direction, humidity, etc.), and in October, the chances are only about 10%.
If you come here to climb, you might be disappointed.
Conclusion
While Ayers Rock itself is attractive, the lack of other attractions and high costs make it not recommended.
If you love the wilderness or want to fully experience nature, it might be worth visiting, but otherwise, it's not.
