If you plan to be one of the  300,000 annual visitors to the Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, you can now enjoy panoramic views of Uluru from a newly opened AUD$21 million tourism facility.

The viewing area is 3 kilometres from Ayers Rock and offers spectacular views.  It incorporates 11 kilometres of roads; 1600 metres of walking tracks; traditional shade shelters; coach and car parking; bathroom facilities and an area which can be used for outdoor performances.  The project will cater for 3,000 visitors, whereas the existing dawn viewing area can attract over 1,200 people daily.

The viewing platforms are landscaped into the dunes offering views over the desert oaks to both Uluru and Kata Tjuta.  Spectacular viewing is available  from sunrise throughout the day until sunset.  Named Talinguru Nyakunytjaku which means ‘place to look from the sand dune’ in Pitjantjatjara, the traditional Aboriginal language of the area; the project is the largest infrastructure investment in the Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park and the first major upgrade since the Cultural Centre was built in the mid 1990′s.

Aboriginal elders are hoping that this new viewing platform will offer an alternative for visitors who want more than a base view of the monolith, as well as discourage tourists from climbing the sacred rock.

Ayers Rock is the perfect place to base yourself when touring the area.  There is a variety of accommodation options from campground through to five star luxury; apartments for families to romantic hotel suites for couples.

The four star Emu Walk Apartments are located minutes from the hub of the resort, the Town Square, which features mini-supermarket and shops.  You can stock up on essentials to cook in the fully self contained apartments which feature one or two bedrooms with separate kitchen and lounge area.

Named after the iconic sails that crown its roof, Sails in the Desert Resort is pure five star luxury.   The interior decor focuses on the Aboriginal art, heritage and culture of the area with displays in the lobby and public areas.   Award winning dining is available from the Kuniya Restaurant, or sip cocktails and enjoy tapas-style cuisine by the pool at Rockpool.

Longitude 131 offers a uniquely Australian outback experience.  With just fifteen luxurious, eco-sensitive and romantic tents, this resort offers the opportunity for intimate viewings of the sunrise and sunset over Uluru.   The nightly tarrif includes all meals and premium alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages; transfers and a touring program exclusive to resort guests.  Enjoy a three-course meal outdoors at Table 131, under a spectacular desert night sky twinkling with thousands of stars.

Getting to Ayers Rock or Alice Springs is easy and convenient, with flights from most major capital cities on a range of Australian domestic airlines.