Destination

Home to the World Heritage-listed natural icons Uluru (Ayers Rock) and Kata Tjuta (The Olgas), Australia’s Red Centre is a vast outback wilderness characterised by endless horizons of rolling red sand dunes, green Desert Oaks and great domes of blue sky. Uluru lies around 60km west of Kata Tjuta and 470km south west of Alice Springs. How do I get there?

Baillie Lodges acknowledges the First Nations people who are the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respects to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elders past, present and emerging.

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Outback icons

Standing some 873 metres high and visible from many vantage points around the Red Centre, Uluru is thought to have started forming around 550 million years ago. Rising higher still at 1,066 metres, Kata Tjuta is a mysterious gathering of 36 rock domes. Both landmarks are culturally significant to the Indigenous Anangu people.

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Unforgettable encounters

The Red Centre’s vast outback landscape offers a swag of adventures. A personalised itinerary of guided experiences at Longitude 131° offers guests an introductory understanding to the region’s fascinating geographical heritage and Indigenous Culture.

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Field of Light

Artist Bruce Munro’s Field of Light installation of 50,000 bud-like stems that bloom and appear to sway as darkness descends over Australia’s spiritual heartland.

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Mala Walk & Kantju Gorge

Uluru base walk exploring the history of the Mala people, before entering Kantju Gorge, a cool retreat and ideal spot for canapés and sunset drinks.

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Mutitjulu Meander

This morning walk takes in the peaceful Mutitjulu waterhole at Uluru and delivers the fascinating legend of Kuniya Piti which links to a sacred Aboriginal site.

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Table 131°

A must-do outdoor dining experience, guests at Table 131° enjoy a contemporary Australian menu with paired wines served under a canopy of twinkling stars.

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Uluru Sunset

Guests head to Uluru for the ultimate sunset selfie, and sip drinks from the private pop up bar. It's an essential outback experience!

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Walpa Gorge & Kata Tjuta

Embark on a guided sunrise expedition to Kata Tjuta and Walpa Gorge, including morning tea and a visit to the Cultural Centre.

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Cultural
connection

Longitude 131° works with several Aboriginal arts communities to source the vibrant local artworks that guests see around the lodge, from ceramics to painted canvases, spears and weavings. The lodge has a special partnership with Ernabella Arts in the Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara Lands whose artists periodically paint in residence with a backdrop to Uluru. Read about our engagement with local artists.

Heartland Connections
Field of Light

Field of Light

Artist Bruce Munro’s internationally acclaimed solar installation Field of Light in the foreground of Uluru is a wonderful interactive experience that captures the imagination of young and old. The outdoor light sculpture is a gathering of some 50,000 stems which bloom in soft frosted-glass and appear to sway in the breeze as the dusk falls on Australia’s spiritual heartland. Take a closer look

Bush ingredients

Bush
ingredients

Longitude 131° offers a contemporary Australian dining experience with premium produce delivered from around the country to the Red Centre. Bush ingredients like quangdongs or the desert peach, finger limes, muntrie and pepper berries and lemon myrtle add a uniquely outback flavour to the menu. Read about our Dining Philosophy.

Seasons of the outback

The semi-arid desert of Uluru-Kata Tjuta makes for warm travelling conditions. Sunny days and cooler nights may be expected for much of the year, while the hot summer often sees dramatic storms with rains rendering the Red Centre a relatively lush green. The Indigenous Anangu people identify five seasons in the region, noting changes in the weather that have an impact on their day-to-day life. The semi-arid desert makes for warm travelling conditions. Sunny days and cooler nights may be expected for much of the year, while the hot summer often sees dramatic storms sweep across the Red Centre. The Anangu people identify five seasons in the region, noting changes in the weather that have an impact on their day-to-day life.

Summer

Summer

(DECEMBER – FEBRUARY)

During the summer months the hot, dry daytime conditions inspire a dip in the pool or an icy drink at the bar. Tours run in the cool of dawn and dusk and the night-time comes alive, with cooler temperatures and storms passing across the outback, offering the rare chance to see waterfalls cascading down Uluru.
Daytime temperatures range from 35–38°C in summer.

Autumn

Autumn

(MARCH – MAY)

Autumn is an ideal season to visit the Red Centre, when the semi-arid climate makes for great travelling conditions. Experience the desert landmarks in the cool of the morning before returning to a leisurely lunch. An afternoon rest is the perfect precursor to a sunset expedition and dinner.
Daytime temperatures range from 24–35°C in autumn.

Winter

Winter

(JUNE – AUGUST)

Brisk mornings provide a fresh start to the day in winter, with the promise of sunshine and warmth ahead. Clear night skies offer a brilliant chance to discover the southern sky and the Milky Way Galaxy, watching for the lucky swoosh of a shooting star.
Daytime temperatures range from 20–24°C in winter.

Spring

Spring

(SEPTEMBER – NOVEMBER)

Springtime in the Red Centre is the chance to see the desert blossom in colour as wildflowers transform the outback landscape. Spring offers ideal conditions to learn the ancient lore of the traditional Aboriginal owners and explore the regional flora and fauna with the lodge’s expert guides.
Daytime temperatures range from 29–35°C in spring.

Itjanu

Itjanu

(JANUARY – MARCH)

Billowing or overcast (utawari) clouds build on the western horizon and move east to cover the sky, bringing rain. Storms can also come from other directions, bringing winds and tipping the temperature down. Many food plants flower during Itjanu and good rains produce ample fruit and seed.

Wanitjunkupai

Wanitjunkupai

(APRIL – MAY)

The cooler weather returns to Uluru now. Tjuntalpa clouds roll in from the south but stay above the hills until the end of the day without producing much rain. Reptiles begin hibernating ahead of winter.

Wari

Wari

(LATE MAY – JULY)

The cold season, when there is sometimes frost (nyinnga) and mist or dew (kulyar-kulyarpa) in the morning but little rain. The frosts dry and preserve the desert grasses. In summer this dry fuel can feed fires.

Piriyakutu

Piriyakutu

(AUGUST – SEPTEMBER)

Piriya is the name of the warm, steady wind that blows from the north and west in December. Warm weather brings reptiles out of hibernation, animals breed and food plants like the honey grevillea begin to flower.

Kuli

Kuli

(AROUND DECEMBER)

Kuli is the hottest part of the year. Storm clouds (marutjara) roll in the sky and lightning flashes but there is little rain. Lightning strikes can cause fires.

Getting there

Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park is located in the Red Centre in Australia’s Northern Territory. The main airport, Ayers Rock Airport, is three hours’ travel by air from most Australian capital cities. Longitude 131° is located 15 minutes’ drive from Ayers Rock Airport via lodge transfer, a 3 hour self-drive from Kings Canyon and a 4.5 hour self-drive from Alice Springs.

GettingThere-Map
  • Flights

    Commercial flights

    Commercial flights are available to Ayers Rock Airport (AYQ) for Uluru. Two airlines provide connecting flights from major domestic destinations.

    Jetstar (Qantas code share) flies directly to AYQ daily from Sydney; flights from Melbourne and Brisbane operate on select days.

    Qantas operates daily flights to AYQ via Alice Springs (ASP) from Sydney and Melbourne. Qantas flights from Brisbane operate on selected days. Qantas also offers daily direct flights to AYQ from Cairns.

    Charter flights

    Charter flights are available to Kings Canyon and Alice Springs and other regional airports by special arrangement.

  • Airport transfers

    Airport transfers

    The lodge operates airport transfers for guests, which are included in the tariff and connect with scheduled flights to and from Ayers Rock Airport.

    Private airport transfers

    Private transfers between Longitude 131° and Ayers Rock Airport may be arranged subject to availability for an additional charge of AUD $200 for up to four passengers (additional passengers AUD $50 per person) each way.

  • Self drive

    Self-driving to Uluru is another option with many itineraries travelling via Kings Canyon some 325 kilometre or 3.5 hours’ drive to the north located and Alice Springs located 445 kilometres north-west of Yulara (approximately 4.5 hours’ drive). Please note, Private vehicle access isn’t permitted at the property and parking is available at Sails in the Desert hotel located nearby Ayers Rock Resort. Longitude 131° provides complimentary return transfers and prior arrangements are required.

  • Ayers Rock Resort

    Located in the township of Yulara, Ayers Rock Resort is the main hub of the Red Centre offering accommodation, shops, galleries and dining options in addition to essential services for visitors to Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park.

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Lodge

Rock star

Nestled among rich red dunes, Longitude 131° overlooks Australia’s best-known natural icon, Uluru. Floor to ceiling windows and a high canopied roof offer a cool retreat from the Red Centre and lead the style of the guest pavilions beyond.

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Dine

An Australian flavour

Longitude 131° offers the best of contemporary Australian cuisine, curated from the finest produce from all around the country, combined with Indigenous and outback flavours to create a unique taste of Australia.

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Spa

Natural beauty

A cool sanctuary in Australia’s rich red desert, Spa Kinara (meaning ‘moon’) sits low in the sand dunes at Longitude 131°, connecting the sky to the earth and offering travellers a welcome retreat.

Heaven awaits