By Air in Alice Springs and Ayers Rock

By Air

Alice Springs Airport, with its bright, cool passenger terminal, is 15 km (9 mi) southeast of town. Qantas is the only airline that flies in and out of Alice Springs, offering daily direct flights from Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth, Darwin, and Cairns, as well as Ayers Rock itself. It's three hours flying time from Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane; two hours from Adelaide and Darwin; and about 40 minutes from Ayers Rock. Flights run less frequently in the summer months.

Qantas also operates daily direct flights from Sydney, Perth, and Cairns (and twice weekly flights from Melbourne) to Ayers Rock Airport, which is 5 km (3 mi) north of the resort complex. Passengers from other capital cities fly to Alice Springs to connect with flights to Ayers Rock Airport.

All other air services are charter flights. AAT Kings runs a complimentary shuttle bus between the airport and Yulara, which meets every flight. If you have reservations at the resort, there's no need to call ahead to reserve a spot on one of these shuttles; you'll find resort representatives waiting outside the baggage-claim area of the airport to whisk you and other guests away on the 10-minute drive.

Airports

Alice Springs Airport (08/8951-1211. www.ntapl.com.au/ASIndex.htm). Ayers Rock Airport (08/8956-2020).

Airlines

Qantas (13-1313. www.qantas.com). AAT Kings (08/8952-1700 or 1800/334009).

Airport Transfers

Alice Springs Airport Shuttle Service meets every flight. The ride to all hotels and residential addresses in town costs A$12 each way. On request, the bus will also pick you up at your hotel and take you back to the airport. Alice Springs Taxis maintains a stand at the airport. The fare to most parts of town is about A$25.

Contacts

Alice Springs Airport Shuttle Service (Shop 6, Capricornia Centre, Gregory Terr., Alice Springs. 08/8953-0310). Alice Springs Taxis (08/8952-1877).