" ..." a Uluru National Park (Ayers Rock) Travel Page by TheTravelSlut

Glamping = glamour camping

Longitude 131 resort is one of the Voyages Group Resorts and is simply unique and awesome. Accomodations, food, service and ambiance are all 5-star plus & the resort is all-inclusive.

I have never stayed in any resort like it before. It consists of only 15 individually-designed and brilliantly appointed "tents" and each has a private view of Uluru (Ayers Rock) and the extraordinary landscape of the Outback of Central Australia (but still within the Northern Territory).

This all-inclusive resort offers airport transfers, all food, snacks, beverages & wines/spirits, tours and accommodations and is the only resort that can actually view Uluru.

The resort has a large pool, viewing areas and several rest-relax spots but the draw is always the "rock" and it can be seen from almost everywhere on the property.

The complimentary tours and events are incredible.

Sunset champagne toasts to Uluru, 5-star cuisine dinner under the stars, astronomy lectures and sky viewing, didgeridoo concert, sunset walks and canapes/champagne at the base of Uluru, sunrise walks and "brekkie" (breakfast) at the base of Uluru, tours of the Cultural center and so many more.

Unique Qualities: There is a total of 15 private, luxury tents featuring:
• King-size bed (twin available upon request) • Air Conditioning / Heating • Bath Robes • Private Bathroom • Shower • Shaving Outlet • Hair Dryers • Mini Bar • CD Player • Lounge • Arm Chair • Writing Desk • Tea & Coffee making facilities • In-Room Safe • Pool Towels • Smoke Detectors • Direct Dial ISD/STD Telephone • Daily Cleaning • Evening Turndown Service

Each elevated tent also tells a story of an early Australian pioneer or explorer with pictures and narratives throughout. The walls have a unique interior design in earthy natural tones, finishes and fibres with an eclectic mix of classical colonial and contemporary pieces. Wardrobes and vanity basins are similar early 1900's Australian food chests and wash troughs.

The white dome roof & flowing fabric draped from the center "big top" create the illusion of camping but only in comfort. A bedside switch can raise the floor-to ceiling window blinds to allow Uluru at sunrise to work its magic. These eco-green rooms are designed to remain cool in summer & warm in winter with individual controls.

The Dune House, in the middle of the "camp" site, is a huge communal facility and central meeting place for all Longitude 131° guests where meals are served and where the reception is available to meet any needs or wants.

The Dune House also includes a library with maps, a comprehensive collection of historical and current books, games, a large screen TV, DVD player (with library) & internet station. You can access the well-stocked bar and enjoying a drink in the lounge or out on the deck with stunning views of Uluru and the surrounding desert.

The 5-star gourmet cuisine was incredible but more on that later.

The peace and solitude of Longitude 131 was clearly evident as soon as I stepped out of my complimentary Range Rover transport from the Ayers Rock Airport.

The dirt road leading to the Longitude 131 "campsite" is about 5-10 minutes from the main Ayers Rock Resort area.

A short climb to the top of a sand dune brings you to the communal "Dune House" where reception, dining, entertainment and socializing occurs.

Once there, you walk to your "tent" and are shown all the aspects that make it "glamping"-glamour camping.

Choices after that are as simple as just enjoying the view of Uluru through the floor to ceiling bay windows the foot of your bed or everything from a Harley-Davidson Tour to a Helicopter Ride of the area (which apply extra charges) or you can opt for complimentary tours as I did that include:

Uluru (Ayers Rock) & Kantju Gorge Sunset tour
Kata Tjuta (The Olgas) & Walpa Gorge tour
Table 131 – Dining Under the Stars
Cultural Center and Kata Tjuta Views
Uluru Sunrise Walk
Mulgara Gallery and Township Tour
Self Guided bush walks

I thoroughly enjoyed my sunset walking tour of Uluru and watching the rock colors transform right before my eyes, the dinner under the stars, the Uluru sunrise walk around the base (about 9 km), the Cultural Center, and the sunset toast. (I did take SOME time to just enjoy the solitude of my tent overlooking Uluru).

I can't praise enough the staff of Longitude 131 from the guides to the room attendants to the chef and wait staff--all were awesome and instrumental in making this "luxury wilderness" adventure so special.

I had so many little sidetrips during my 5 week adventure in Australia (and Thailand/Singapore) this trip that I forgot that Longitude 131 was all-inclusive and this was a most pleasant surprise.

So, champagne it was--- and the anticipation of knowing that I would soon be enjoying a fusion of Australian cuisine and both indigenous & international flavors. The first of my gourmet, 5-star cuisine meals consisted of:

Cauliflower Soup (Almond Buerre Noisette)

Braised Rabbit and Black Truffle Raviolo (Olive Tapenade, Baby Spinach, Lemon Olive Oil) or

Butter Poached Western Australian Lobster Tail (Green Asparagus, Poached Egg, Pickled Radish)

French Sable Biscuits (Dark Chocolate Marquise-Orange Glaze)--and this was just lunch.

Dinners were even more exotic with everything from Venison to Barramundi.

Of course, a wide selection of beverages, wines, and beer made for a great time in the Dune House or back in the room (which was also stocked).

There was nothing less than 5-star quality in everything about Longitude 131. From each of the individually "themed" tents (I was in the Burke-Wills [ Australian Outback explorers] tent), you could, as the resort touts, "Get as close to serenity as possible, rejuvenate the body, stimulate the mind, activate your senses and liberate the spirit".

I would suggest going online to their website to really capture the beauty and essence of the resort and area and even ordering their DVD for a more intense look at this "glamping."

If you are considering this wilderness luxury paradise, contact me privately first or you can contact Longitude 131 at:
Phone: 1300 134 044
Address: P.O. Box 46 Yulara, NT, 0872, Australia
Directions: Longitude 131° sits on a sand dune on the border of Uluru - Kata Tjuta National Park & 6km from Ayers Rock Airport
Website: http://www.longitude131.com.au
Other Contact: (+61) 2 8296 8010

Ann, TS