Probably the most recognisable rock formation in the world, Uluru is one of those must-visit places in Australia. But where can you stay that’s near Uluru when you get here?
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We’ve been lucky enough to visit Uluru more than once in our lives. For me, this is my third time in fact. Coming back here — to see this amazing place and to walk in the shadow of the world’s largest monolith — never loses its magic.
Not only is it iconic as Australia’s heart stone, Uluru also represents a vital part of the Anangu’s creation story.
And you can feel the energy of this place seeping up into you from the ground.
However, in the past, we’ve only ever camped here in the Red Centre. And while setting up your swag in the middle of the desert with the brilliant constellations of the galaxy shining down on you may sound romantic, air conditioning, an ensuite and pillow tops trump the hand.
Check out our video walkthrough of Sails in the Desert here:
– Here are our other stories from Uluru and the things you can do in the Red Centre.
– For tours and activities to enjoy while you’re in the Uluru Kata Tju?a National Park, click here.
– And for the best deals on stays near Uluru, click here.
Where is the Sails in the Desert Hotel?
Not far from Uluru is the little township of Yulara. Most of the town is made up of the Voyages Ayres Rock Resort* and its numerous hotels, of which Sails in the Desert is the biggest.
There are a couple of shops here too and an excellent gallery where you can buy art by local artists.
Yulara is only about 10km from the base of Uluru as the crow flies and it’s a 15-20min drive from Sails in the Desert to the car park at the Rock.
But thanks to the flatness of the desert and the impressive 350m height of Uluru, you can easily see it from town — from certain points of Sails in the Desert in fact. You can also clearly see Kata Tju?a to the west.
* The Indigenous people here — Anangu — were asked if the name should change to Uluru Resort, but they said no as the resort is nothing to do with their culture. The same goes for Ayres Rock Airport.
What’s it like at Sails in the Desert?
Sails in the Desert is an oasis in this tough remote red landscape. Its lagoon pool, surrounded by tall eucalyptus trees and lush gardens, belies the harshness of its environment.
Peering through the foliage is the two-storey terraces of the hotel’s accommodation. Ground-level rooms have private courtyards while first floor ones have balconies.
Our first floor Superior Room is comfortable, with a well-appointed bathroom sporting Wiru amenities, an Indigenous owned and run cosmetics company that uses native bush botanicals like wattle seed and quandong.
Superior Rooms come with two queen beds or one king — ours has two queens, which is a bit confusing initially, but it does show just how big this room is. The balcony is quite small, though there’s enough space for a couple of chairs and a table. Mind you, it’s usually too hot to spend too long out here in the day!
There are some lovely touches to the room. Lighting is well considered and there’s a large piece of original Indigenous artwork, sourced from the Maruku Arts Market Place and the Gallery of Central Australia down the road.
Where to eat at Sails in the Desert
There are a number of places to dine here. You’ll find the Pira Pool Bar and the Walpa Lobby Bar inside Sails, as well as the dining area for breakfast each morning.
But as you’re staying in part of the Ayres Rock Resort, the other venues of the resort are open to you too.
Casual dining like Ayres Wok Noodle Bar and Kulata Academy Cafe all the way up to Ilkari Restaurant and the Mangata Bistro and Bar are available to you. And that’s just the beginning!
Things to do nearby that Sails in the Desert can help with
The best part of staying with the Voyages Ayres Rock Resort is that these guys are involved with the very best things to do around Uluru.
Voyages communicates very closely with the elders of the Anangu and have made sure these attractions are in everyone’s best interests. Not only are they fascinating things to do, they also benefit Anangu and the local community.
Guided sunrise walks around Uluru are a must. Each walk is lead by an Anangu elder and the stories they can tell bring so many more layers of meaning to brilliance to this magical place.
Beyond that, Wintjiri Wiru, the biggest permanent drone show, tells part of the origin story for Anangu and is absolutely breath-taking. I think I swore almost the whole way through!
You can see our full story and video about Wintjiri Wiru here.
For the ultimate dining experience, Tali Wiru takes you up into the dunes of the desert for the single-most unique meal you’ll ever have. As the sun sets and lights up Uluru on the horizon, you’re treated to a superlative set of dishes using fine-dining techniques on bush tucker with matching wines.
Check out our full write-up on Tali Wiru here.
Staying at Sails in the Desert is a great option for accommodation near Uluru, but your hotel room here really is just the beginning of a much bigger experience.
We stayed as media guests of Voyages and Ayres Rock Resort, but our experiences and opinions remain our own.
