Ayers Rock Travel Tips

Banks: 09:30 to 16:00, Monday to Thursday; 09:30 to 17:00 Fridays
Government Offices: 09:00 to 17:00, Monday to Friday
Department Stores and Shops: 09:00 to 17:30, Monday to Friday; 09:00 to 17:00 Saturdays
Business Offices: 09:00 to 17:00, Monday to Friday

Although crime rates in Ayers Rock are quite low, there are instances of petty crime reported, and tourists are sometimes targeted by pickpockets. At popular tourist attractions and airports, it’s a good idea to keep a watch over your valuables. Lock up jewellery, cash and important personal documents in a hotel safe when you can.

Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park can be deceptive, in that the environment can be quite harsh. For your safety it’s important to following instructions and heed warnings that are posted. For example, you should stay on marked paths, hike with a companion, and be sure to consume a litre of water for each hour you’re hiking, when the weather is hot. Your footwear should be sturdy with rubber soles; you should wear a hat that’s secured with a strap and a long-sleeved shirt. A sunscreen providing maximum protection should be used, and in the heat of the summer, you should avoid hiking midday.

Electricity: 240 volts, 50Hz. Plugs have three flat blades, but their configuration differs from that of other countries.

Visitors to Australia who are coming from a country where yellow fever is prevalent are required to show a vaccination certificate. No other immunisations are required for entry.

For anyone headed to Ayers Rock, sunburn will be the predominant health risk, and taking protective measures against the rays of the sun is necessary. This includes using a sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or greater and wearing a hat with a wide brim.

Medical services in the area are of a high quality, as they are throughout the country. As medical care can be expensive, visitors should ensure that they have sufficient travel insurance before heading to Australia. For UK nationals, there is a reciprocal agreement between Australia and the UK providing for free emergency medical care, so long as proof of UK residence is provided.

Emergency Services: 000

The official language spoken at Ayers Rock is English, as it is in all of Australia, although you may hear Aboriginal dialects being spoken. The use of unusual words, phrases, slang and a difference in accent may make the local English hard to understand at first.

Australia’s unit of currency is the Australian dollar, commonly abbreviated as AU$. One dollar is equal to 100 cents. You will find banknotes in circulation in denominations of AU$100, 50, 20, 10, and 5; and coins in denominations of AU$2 and 1; and 50, 20, 10 and 5 cents.

Most major foreign currencies can be exchanged for Australian dollars at banks in Ayers Rock, and at currency exchanges in the centre and at the airport. ATMs are also available, and can be found in the centre outside banks and some shops. Credit cards, such as American Express, Diners Club, MasterCard and Visa, are accepted by most businesses. Credit cards can be also be used for cash advances at many ATMs.

Anyone who enters Australia and is at least 18 years old may bring in items totalling in value up to AU$900, duty free. Up to 2.25 litres of spirits; 250 cigarettes or the equivalent in cigars or loose tobacco; and a reasonable amount of gift items can be imported tax-free. Goods that cannot be brought into the country include animal and plant products, and fresh produce.

Life in Australia, particularly in the outback, is quite informal. The way Australians greet each other is casual: a handshake, smile and 'G'day, mate' form the typical greeting. Australians also tend to use a person’s first name, even if they are meeting them for the first time.

Relatives, close friends and neighbours usually exchange small gifts on birthdays and at Christmas. When you’re invited to someone’s home, it’s polite to bring a gift such as chocolates, flowers or a bottle of wine. If your gift is wrapped, it most likely will be opened by the host or hostess on the spot.

If you’re invited to a meal by an Australian, it’ll most likely be to a barbecue, or ‘barbie’ as it’s known throughout Australia. You’ll typically be expected to bring whatever beer or wine you plan on drinking, and in some cases you may be asked to bring whatever meat you’d like to have barbecued.

Arriving on time for dinner is also expected, although arriving 15 minutes late for a large event is acceptable. If you’re not sure what to bring to the barbecue, it’s a good idea to phone your host in advance to check. Once you’ve arrived, it’s also considered polite to ask if you can help with setting up, or cleaning up afterward.

Australian table manners are similar to European dining manners. When you are eating, the fork should be held in your left hand, and the knife in your right. You should keep your hands above the table when you’re eating, and your elbows below the table. When you’ve finished eating, place your utensils on your plate so that the knife and fork are parallel and pointing to the left.

All visitors to Australia must have a valid passport and the appropriate visa in order to enter the country. The only exception is for New Zealand nationals. If you’re in transit, and have a ticket on a flight departing Australia within eight hours of your arrival, you do not require a visa. You are advised that you will not be permitted to leave the transit lounge, if you are in transit. No visas are issued on arrival: you won’t be permitted to board a flight to the country without having a visa at the time of your flight.

Several types of visa are issued, so it’s important that you apply for and obtain the visa that’s relevant for both the purpose and the duration of your visit. Any Australian consulate or embassy can process visa applications. The types of visas that are issued include standard tourist visas, extended-stay tourist visas, and working holiday visas.

The Ayers Rock Resort Tourist Information Centre is located on Yulara road, and is a good source of information on accommodation, dining, tours, attractions, activities and events. There’s another centre in Alice Springs that’s operated by Central Australian Tourism where you’ll find comprehensive information services. At Alice Springs Airport and Alice Springs Railway Station you’ll also find visitor information counters.