Yulara at a glance
Yulara is the service town for Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park. The Ayers Rock Resort stands here, outside the park boundary, and so do the supermarket, the fuel station, the restaurants and the medical centre. The park gate is about 10 minutes away by car.
The town is the base for almost every trip in the area, so it helps to know what it offers and what it does not. This is an independent guide. It is not run by the resort or by the park authority.
What you can find in Yulara
Services in town, as of October 2026.
Food and supplies
A supermarket, restaurants and a fuel station serve the town. The IGA at the Yulara Shopping Square opens 9 am to 8 pm Monday to Thursday and 8 am to 8 pm Friday to Sunday. Holiday hours can differ, so ask at the store.
Help and information
The tourist information desk also holds the car hire counters. A medical centre and a police station are in town. In an emergency call 000, or 112 from a mobile phone.
Nothing at the trailheads
Do not count on shops or food at the walks. Stock up in Yulara before you leave, and carry the water the park recommends: at least 1 litre per person for every hour of walking.
Tours from Yulara
Sunrise and sunset trips, Kata Tjuta, Field of Light and flights from Yulara, with live prices and availability.
The free resort shuttle does not enter the park
Know this before you plan your first morning.
A free shuttle runs around the resort about every 20 minutes, from 10:30 to 00:30. It serves the hotels, the campground, the Town Square, the Gallery of Central Australia and the camel farm. It does not go to Uluru or Kata Tjuta.
To reach the park you need a rental car, a tour with pick-up or the paid Hop On Hop Off bus. The park authority lists no taxis and no other public transport.
| How to reach the park | Cost | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Resort shuttle | Free | Stays inside the resort. Does not go to the national park |
| Hop On Hop Off bus | From AUD 140 for 1 day | Transport only, no guided walk and no park pass included |
| Rental car | – | Counters at the airport and in town. Park roads are sealed and a 2WD car is enough |
| Guided tour | – | See the tours above. Check whether the park pass is included |
Hop On Hop Off: prices and rules
Prices direct from the operator, in Australian dollars, as of 2026.
| Pass | Adult | Child | Family |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 day | AUD 140 | AUD 70 | AUD 350 |
| 2 days | AUD 180 | AUD 90 | – |
| 3 days | AUD 230 | AUD 115 | – |
The bus is private transport on a timetable. It stops at places such as the Mala car park, the Cultural Centre, Kuniya Piti and Mutitjulu Waterhole. It is not a guided walk, and the pass does not include the park pass (AUD 38 for 3 days, see park pass). The timetable changes by month. Give your preferred pick-up times when you book, and book ahead from May to October.
The one-day pass is described as valid for 24 hours from first use and also as valid for one calendar day, so plan to use it within a single day. For Kata Tjuta, the sunrise service offers Walpa Gorge or Valley of the Winds, and the sunset service has no Valley of the Winds option.
Culture and art in town
Things to do in Yulara when you are not in the park.
Maruku dot painting
Maruku Arts runs a dot-painting experience at the Town Square near the Kulata Cafe. From April to September it runs 11:00–12:30 and 14:00–15:30. From October to March it runs 10:30–12:00 and 13:30–15:00. It does not run every day, and price and availability are set by Maruku, so ask before you go.
Cultural Centre
The Cultural Centre is in the park, not in town. It is open daily from 07:00 to 17:45, and visitors are advised to allow at least 2 hours. See Anangu culture.
Camel farm
The camel farm is a stop on the resort shuttle. See camel tours for rides at sunrise and sunset.
Drive times from Yulara
Planning values from the resort.
| Place | Drive |
|---|---|
| Uluru | About 20 minutes |
| Car sunset viewing area | About 15 to 20 minutes |
| Talinguru Nyakunytjaku (sunrise) | 30 to 35 minutes |
| Kata Tjuta | About 45 minutes |
| Kata Tjuta dune viewing area | About 35 minutes |
| Ayers Rock airport | About 10 minutes |
Add time for parking and for the walk. The park closes at night, and you must be out by closing time, which changes through the year. The monthly hours are on the best time page.
Yulara: frequently asked questions
Is Yulara inside the national park?
No. Yulara and the Ayers Rock Resort are outside the park, about 10 minutes by car from the entry station.
Does the free shuttle go to Uluru?
No. The free resort shuttle only runs around the resort. Use a rental car, a tour or the paid Hop On Hop Off bus to reach the park.
How much is the Hop On Hop Off bus?
AUD 140 for an adult for 1 day, AUD 180 for 2 days and AUD 230 for 3 days, with child fares of AUD 70, AUD 90 and AUD 115 (2026). The park pass is not included.
Can I buy groceries in Yulara?
Yes. There is a supermarket in the Yulara Shopping Square, open 9 am to 8 pm Monday to Thursday and 8 am to 8 pm Friday to Sunday.
Is there a doctor and a fuel station?
Yes. Yulara has a medical centre, a police station and a fuel station. Opening hours and fuel prices are not fixed here, so check on arrival.
Can I rent a car in Yulara?
Yes. Car hire counters are at the tourist information desk and at the airport.