Ayers Rock Resort shuttle bus: Cost & where does it go?

The Ayers Rock Resort shuttle bus is free, but it doesn’t go where most visitors want it to go – Uluru.

When visitors to the Northern Territory’s Red Centre learn of the Ayers Rock Resort shuttle bus, they tend to assume their Uluru transportation issues are taken care of.

Alas, the Ayers Rock Resort shuttle bus doesn’t actually go to Uluru or into Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park. It purely goes around the admittedly large Ayers Rock Resort.

This is fine if you just want to hop between the resort hotels, campgrounds and Town Square. It will also take you to the Uluru Camel Farm.

Getting from the Ayers Rock Resort to Uluru

However, to get to Uluru from the Ayers Rock Resort, the easiest option is self-driving. Car rentals are available at Ayers Rock Airport, although they can get expensive if planning to drive long distances.

If not driving, to get from the Ayers Rock Resort to Uluru, you either need to take the hop-on, hop-off bus or go on a tour. Options for the tours with Ayers Rock Resort pick-up include a full guided base walk, a sunrise and breakfast trip and a sunset tour.

8 great Uluru experiences to book before you arrive

• 1. Understand Uluru’s caves, bulges, gullies and spiritual stories on a guided base walk.
• 2. Be awe-struck by the changing colours on a SUNRISE tour.
• 3. Eat great food on a dune top, and enjoy an expert-guided stargazing session during a once-in-a-lifetime desert dune-top dinner.
• 4. See an entirely different kind of dramatic outback scenery on Kings Canyon day trip.
• 5. Do a lap of Uluru by Segway.
• 6. See the big picture on an outback helicopter flight.
• 7. See Australia’s most spectacular light show – the Field of Light at sunrise.
• 8. Admire the colour-shifting giant rock domes on a Kata-tjuta sunset trip.

Ayers Rock Resort shuttle bus price and timetable

The Ayers Rock Resort shuttle bus is free to use for resort guests. According to the timetable, the shuttle bus runs every 20 minutes from 10.30 to 00.30.

There is also a separate free transfer between Ayers Rock Airport and the Ayers Rock Hotel.

Which Uluru accommodation should I book?

Let’s not sugar-coat it: Accommodation at Uluru is expensive. Specialist Australian accommodation website Wotif lists Uluru accommodation for from $300. Check the top deals page to search through the options.

However, if you stay for three nights rather than two, hefty discounts tend to kick in.

The Uluru accommodation options are designed with different target markets in mind. Book which one fits you best.

• For the lowest prices: Ayers Rock Campground.
• For best quality: Sails in the Desert.
• For families and self-caterers: Emu Walk Apartments.
• For mid-range solidity: Desert Gardens.

More Northern Territory travel

Are there any direct flights from Perth to Uluru?

What is the Kings Canyon caravan park like?

How long is the drive from Curtin Springs to Uluru?

Where to stop on a Canberra to Alice Springs road trip.

Why stop at the Aileron Roadhouse on the Stuart Highway.