Ayers Rock and this part of Australia offer a variety of unusual activities for children and families. Fun can be found in the night sky, the nuts from the eucalyptus tree, Aboriginal dances and traditions, and in camel rides across the desert. Activities for children here engage parents in creating games and experiences that will be remembered long after the holiday is over.

Camel Rides
The desert around Ayers Rock has a special charm of its own, and one of the ways to have the most fun exploring it is by camel safari. This is sure to be an unforgettable experience for young travellers, in particular. The Kings Creek Station Camel Rides is a popular operator, and can be contacted for further information on arranging your own personal safari. Phone: +61 8 8956 7474.

Gum Nut Fun
Eucalyptus trees are known as gum trees here. Wherever they grow, you’ll find seeds, or gum nuts, spread on the ground underneath the trees. Kids can have lots of fun turning these nuts into earrings, necklaces or even mobiles. For the boys who might not appreciate the jewellery activities, the nuts can be used as marbles: they’re not perfectly round, and don’t roll as predictably as marbles do, but that’s all part of the fun.

Helicopter Trips
Take the family up in a helicopter and see the area from above. This is a great chance to try your skill at aerial photography, with both Ayers Rock and the Olgas interesting viewed from above. Two companies offering helicopter tours are: Ayers Rock Helicopters (tel: +61 8 8956 2077) and Professional Helicopter Services (tel: +61 8 8956 2003).

Night Sky Show
The night sky looks especially dark here, owing largely to the clear, unpolluted air. These conditions make this one of the best places in the world to view the stars and planets in the southern hemisphere’s night skies. Modern telescopes are available for a clearer look: Phone: +1 800 803174.

Torch Light Fun
This is a fun game for kids that’s based on traditional Aboriginal corroboree. The game involves participants painting their faces and then going outside after dark to pretend that they’re living in the desert centuries ago. Kids can dance as they hold a torch underneath their chins, illuminating their faces and creating an overall eerie experience.

Treasure Hunt
There’s a bit of work involved for parents in setting up this activity, but it can be a good way to keep young ones occupied for an extended period. You can adapt the treasure hunt depending on the ages of the kids involved. The preparation involves looking around the grounds of the hotel to identify 20 or more items that kids will have fun finding as part of the hunt. Deciding on a prize for those that complete the list first can be part of the fun and adventure.

The Arrernte Aboriginal music and culture are the subjects of galleries and museums in Ayers Rock. There’s a gallery dedicated to Western desert art and artefacts and a music school where you can give the didgeridoo a try. The Living History Museum will impart a view of life here through the ages, and there are opportunities to purchase outstanding Aboriginal art here. Single-day cultural tours of Alice Springs, involving a short flight, can also be organised.

Aboriginal Dot Painting
When you visit the Uluru Cultural Centre, you can join a group for an introduction to local Aboriginal art. Local artists explain the meaning of the art and provide instruction so that you can try your hand at dot painting. The Aboriginal artists will also demonstrate their painting techniques, and you’ll have time to complete your own work of art which you’ll be able to take away with you.

Ayers Rock Caves
The best location to view the cave art of the Aboriginals in this area is in the caves, cracks and other natural formations found at Uluru. The Anangu explain the existence of all of the caves as being due to the activity of their ancestors at the time of creation. In shallow caves near the base of the rock you’ll find ancient paintings and carvings as well as recent additions, which are continuously created by contemporary Anangu. The subjects of the rock art include abstract symbols, boomerangs, human figures and waterholes.

Guided Cultural Tour
It’s possible to take part in a small group tour that begins at sunrise, and includes breakfast overlooking Uluru and the Liru Walk. Aboriginal guides will take you along the path that was followed by their ancestors through the bushland in the area of the rock. Your guide will tell you about the tragic fate of the ‘Blue Tongue Lizard Man’ Lungkata. You’ll see demonstrations of bush skills that date to ancient times, including the making of bush glue and fire, and carving tools from wood using only a sharpened stone.

Maruku Arts
Maruku is a crafts company that’s run by the Anangu Aboriginal people who live primarily in the Western and Southeastern areas of Central Australia. Maruku's retail outlet is located at the Uluru-Kata Tjuta Cultural Centre, which you’ll find at the base of Ayers Rock. This crafts company assists artisans throughout the region by marketing and promoting their work, and by providing them with advice and support services. Guided tours are on offer at the shop to help visitors understand the spiritual nature of the works displayed. Phone: +61 8 8956 2153.

Mulgara Gallery
The gallery is located at Ayers Rock, at the Sails in the Desert Hotel, and offers a rare glimpse into the world of Australian and indigenous crafts and artwork. You’ll see metalwork, leatherwork, hand-crafted glassware, pottery, and textiles. Different regional styles are represented, including dot painting from Papunya and Mt Allen in the central desert, unusual and colourful body art from Utopia, and artefacts that include didgeridoos, rainsticks and a variety of tribal instruments. Phone: +61 8 8957 7352.

Uluru-Kata Tjuta Cultural Centre
The award-winning Uluru-Kata Tjuta Cultural Centre at Ayers Rock is one of the finest examples of contemporary Australian architecture that you’ll find. The centre’s artwork, displays and video shows explain the sacred rock and landscape from the viewpoint of the original inhabitants of the land – the Anangu. You can learn about Tjukurpa, and the stories of creation and the laws of the people. An information centre for the Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park is also housed here. Phone: +61 8 8956 1128.

The options for dining out when visiting Ayers Rock are largely focused on hotel restaurants and the outdoor dining experience known as the ‘Sounds of Silence’ dinner. Restaurants range from dining rooms offering up international cuisine to those specialising in local game. No matter what you choose you’ll be sure to have your fill of good quality fare with plenty to drink alongside. Australia’s wide array of fine wines and domestic brews are always featured.

For light meals and take-aways there are also a number of options available. The Yulara Take Away at the shopping centre provides light fare, and the Outback Pioneer Lodge has a kiosk offering up snacks. The self-cook barbecue at the Lodge is a nightly option allowing you to prepare a variety of meats on the grill. In addition, vegetarian meals are available, as is a range of salads. Exotic meats such as buffalo, crocodile and kangaroo are also on the menu.

Shoppers will find the Maruku Gallery and Walkatjara Art Centre in the Cultural Central at Kata Tjuta National Park. On offer here are original crafts and artworks of the Anangu Aboriginal population of Central Australia. You’ll see a range of carved wood items, such as boomerangs, desert animals, bowls, music sticks and spears. If you’re planning on taking home an Aboriginal souvenir, this is the place to shop. The selection at Ayers Rock Airport may leave you disappointed.

Located in the resort and adjacent to Sail, in the Desert Hotel, is the Voyages Resort Shopping Centre. There’s a well-stocked supermarket here that has meat and fresh produce; a newsagent where you’ll find a good selection of Australian newspapers and magazines; a tourist information centre that has loads of brochures and information on interesting activities; and an ATM and bank. The choice in shops here includes clothes outlets, gift boutiques and traditional souvenir shops. The shopping centre is an easy walk from all hotels, with the exception of Longitude 31.

There’s plenty to do outdoors here. In fact, it is the outdoors that draws most visitors to Ayers Rock. It’s possible to climb the rock, explore caves, hire a Harley and tour around the base, or enjoy four-wheel-drive adventures in the desert. Horseback rides, walks in a nature reserve and wildlife viewing are other options for your enjoyment.

Climbing Ayers Rock
Before you consider climbing Uluru, or Ayers Rock, you should realise that the Anangu – the local Aboriginals – prefer that don’t, respecting the spiritual significance it has for them. That said, many visitors do undertake the climb and there are no repercussions if you do so. Be prepared for a two-to-three hour climb which requires a certain level of fitness. For safety reasons, climbing Uluru is prohibited when strong winds are present and when it has rained sufficiently to cause slippery conditions.

Harley Davidson Rides
If you’re looking for a more exciting way to tour around the base of Ayers Rock and explore the region, hiring a Harley Davidson motorcycle for the adventure is sure to add another dimension to this experience. Not only do you add a style element, the bike will give you the opportunity to make stops where you’d like to have a better look, and move on more quickly through areas of less interest to you. Check with the information centre or reception staff at your hotel for more information.

Horseback Riding
Riding on horseback is popular throughout Australia, and an activity in which all but the very youngest members of the family can participate. This is a great area to enjoy the sport, particularly around sunrise or sunset when the sky’s colours and contrasts are at their most dramatic. Midday is usually too hot, both for riders and horses, and the light can be almost blinding, making it much more difficult to appreciate the sights.

Quad Bike Fun
These quick and tough machines are perfect for bush and desert conditions. In fact, there are places in areas such as King’s Canyon that you’re not likely to see unless you have access to a quad bike that can cover the distance and also manoeuvre around rocks and scrub. Check with your hotel for information on operators.

Walks in Watarrka National Park
The spectacular King’s Canyon is part of this park, which also encompasses the rugged peaks of the George Gill Range. Among the highlights here are the desert oak woodlands, the permanent waterholes and numerous, spectacular rock formations. There’s unusual variety in plant and animal life that makes for great viewing and photographs. It’s best to plan on around four hours for a canyon walk, allowing you time to appreciate the richness of this site.

Wildlife viewing
In the Uluru National Park there are more than 20 species of mammals, 150 species of birds and a wide variety of desert reptiles including the perentie, a type of monitor lizard that’s the second-largest lizard found anywhere in the world. As most of the animal life here is unique to Australia, and to this arid environment, the opportunity to view these species is a special opportunity.