So I’ve been to the cities, I’ve gone into the country and now, it’s time for the outback! Australia’s famous red clay desert is a barren wasteland of nothingness with Alice Springs and the Uluru resort area being the only real towns between the coasts. Visiting Uluru is off the beaten path but well worth it!
Known as Ayer’s Rock for years, it has recently gone back to being called by it’s Aboriginal name, Uluru. A beautiful, massive, solid rock formation, smack dab in the middle of nowhere, it is filled with mystery, majesty and an incredibly rich history. Still home to Aboriginal people, arriving in Uluru, you have several choices in accommodations, all in its own self-contained community, known as the Ayers Rock Resort.
I had the good fortune of being able to stay at Sails in the Desert. A beautiful 5-star hotel that boasts a great bar and restaurant, fabulous pool and luxury accommodations. The rooms are gorgeous, a mix of posh and Aborigine, and with all the amenities of home. All part of the experience, they offer free shuttle service around the resort, free guest activities such as didgeridoo and boomerang throwing classes to star walks and more. The spa is terrific as the wonderful staff who makes your stay feel like heaven!
Just next door from Sails, you’ll find the Town Square where they have several restaurants, shopping and a market. With great places to dine all over the resort, there is no shortage of great stuff for a veggie like me!
At Sails, the breakfast buffet at Ilkari was stocked and delicious and their lunch and dinner menus had plenty of vegan options. At the Pioneer Hotel & Lodge, they have a fun grill-it-yourself restaurant that had a great veggie burger and fun sides at Pioneer BBQ. Kulata Academy Cafe in Town Square had soy lattes and vegan sandwiches while the Ayers Wok Noodle Bar had lots of vegan options, made-to-order.
But the most incredible dining experience, is Sounds of Silence. An open air dining experience out in the desert where you sip cocktails at sunset, overlooking Uluru and then are served a gourmet 5 course meal that culminates in a storytelling of Uluru, Aboriginal folklore and Astronomy, all under a canopy of stars. I had a lovely vegan meal, complete with chocolate cake!
And, if you’re daring enough, there are so many adventurous things to do. From visiting the rock, certain ties of years you can climb it, to nature walks to skydiving, Uluru is one of the coolest places on the face of the earth!
