Ayers Rock is one of Australia's most recognizable natural icons.

You've probably seen those amazing photos of this sandstone monolith as it changes color at different times of the day and year: with sunset it is a particularly remarkable sight when it glows red and orange and even purple.

If you're thinking that getting to Ayers Rock on your Australian vacation might be a bit difficult and very expensive, think again! And then what about shuttle buses from the airport, car hire etc etc?

Afterall, it's in the middle of nowhere in outback Australia!

Don't worry. In this article, I'll share with some of the tips and tricks I learned from flying to Ayers Rock during my travels over the past few years.

Flying In

You can fly into Ayers Rock from all Australian capital cities via Qantas. Virgin Australia also fly in to Ayers Rock, and are usually the cheapest airfare.  It's best to book flights early, though.

During the peak season (July August) you'll be lucky to find a seat from Sydney or Melbourne to Uluru for less than $300 one way.

You can also fly from Alice Springs to Uluru on Qantas. This flight is usually around $149, although I've picked up tickets in 2011 for only $129.

When you fly in, you get an amazing view of the rock. So get your camera ready!

The airport at Ayers Rock is called Connellan Airport and is 20 minutes away by road from Ayers Rock, and 10 minutes from Ayers Rock Resort.

There is a free shuttlebus service at the airport that will take you the short trip to the Resort.

However, you can also hire a car at Ayers Rock, so that you can explore the area yourself.

Getting Around

Hiring a car at Ayers Rock means that you  see everything. Pre-booking well in advance will ensure you can choose from the widest range of cars, and also allow you to request any extras such as child car seat or booster seat to ensure your family's safety and comfort.

One mistake that I see many overseas tourists make with car hire at Ayers Rock is hiring a big, gas-guzzling 4WD.  You don't need a 4WD to visit most places around Uluru because the main roads are sealed. A small, economical vehicle will suffice.

Car hire at Ayers Rock is easy. You can either hire at the airport desk, or in the Ayers Rock Resort complex.

Approximate car hire costs:

Hertz - from as little as $99 per day for a minimum 2 days car hire
Thrifty - from as little as $73 per day for a minimum 2 days car hire
Avis - from as little as $93 per day for a minimum 2 days car hire

With Ayers Rock car rental your tour will be worth a lifetime of memory. Kata Tjuta, also called Mount Olga or The Olgas, is another  rock formation about 50 km west of Uluru. Special viewing areas with road access and parking have been constructed to give tourists the best views of both sites at dawn and dusk.

Another significant attraction is the Watarrka National Park and King's Canyon. The canyon boasts 1,000ft-high sandstone walls, palm-studded crevices, hiking trails and spectacular views across the desert.

If you hire a car at Ayers Rock, you'll be able to visit these attractions as well.

When to go?

Ayers Rock enjoys sunshine and clear blue skies for most of the year round. However, it's really best to visit Ayers Rock from April-October, avoiding the southern hemiphere's summer.

Ayers Rock has a desert climate, with average temperatures ranging from around 22 degrees Celsius (72 degrees Fahrenheit) in winter to 35 degrees Celsius (95 degrees Fahrenheit) in summer.

 Nights and mornings during winter can be freezing and you will need to bring warm clothing.

During summer daytime temperatures can exceed 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit). This isn't the ideal time to visit, but you can get some great specials on accommodation if you can put up with the heat, flies and don't want to climb the Rock.

Rainfall is unpredictable and can occur at any time of the year, but tends to fall in the summer more than winter.

I'd like to thank you for reading this short article on Uluru, and I really hope that it inspires you to visit soon.