I understand that our hotel (Sails in the Desert) is just 10 minutes from the Ayres Rock Airport. Does the hotel provide a shuttle to and from the airport? If not, do we need to pre-book transportation to the resort, or is it better just to take a cab (we are a party of 3)?

Once at the resort will we be able to get a cab to the various attractions (Cultural Center, etc.) or will we need a car? I know there are also lots of tour companies that take groups from the resort to Ayres Rock, the Olgas, and Kings Canyon. Are these tours a good idea, or is it better to see the sights on your own?

I'd hire a car from the airport or from the resort area, Yulara, then you can come and go as you please. There is a bus from Yulara to Ayers Rock (Uluru), but we found it was a bit unrealiable--an hour late to pick us up.

I don't recall there being any taxis, maybe someone else knows.

Hire a car. The traffic is light and it's almost impossible to get lost. With your own car, you are free to linger where you want to linger and do your own thing. The visitor information centre will give you information on ranger-led walks and tours or you can book commercial tours from your hotel.

It's years sice I've been there (back in days when accommodation was right at the rock, and an airstrip there too) but there is only the one resort - Voyagers - http://www.ayersrockresort.com.au/ and under services/facilities you'll see there is a complimentary airport transfer and also a resort shuttle.

Given that there are various tours to do with rock activities, there'll be pick-ups for them from the resort and hiring a car out there ought to come after asking yourself where you'll be driving to.

I understand the desire to be independent. Go where you want to go when you want to go there. BUT, there aren't so many places to "go to" out there. We are talking landmarks with fair distances between them and there's nothing to "see" on the way unless you know how to look.

So you drive to the Rock at dawn - will you know where is the best place to see it from? And then? You drive somewhere else and have to find where to park. And then .. you want to walk some? And while you are walking what will you "see"? Ditto Katja Tutja.

Hiring a car to drive the West or East Macs after you have "done the Rock" is recommended; but out around Uluru the best thing is to take advantage of the many tours on offer. That way you are helped to see that lizard on a stone; and learn something about the flora and the fauna and what they were used for, and how they fit into the culture of the traditional owners.

It's a trade-off, I know. But Uluru and Kakadu are two places where I honestly think self-drive is not the way to go.

Cheers.

I've visited Uluru twice and done both the tour buses and the car rental. I highly recommend that you rent a car! On our first trip, we did not rent a car so we did 2 tours--one was a sunset/base tour of Uluru and the 2nd was a tour to Kata Tjuta to hike around the Valley of the Winds. The problems with the tours were: 1)they were both full and so we had to do everything with 50 other people, 2) there was too much time spent waiting for people, getting on and off the bus, driving around the resort picking up/dropping off people, etc. and 3) we did not get as much time to hike around Kata Tjuta as was advertised.
On our second trip, we had a rental car ready and waiting for us at the airport. (Be sure to pre-book your car as they don't have extras available.) This time we went to both Uluru and Kata Tjuta whenever we wanted and stayed as long as we wanted. We had time to walk around the entire base of Uluru. We had time to do a couple of hikes at Kata Tjuta. We could drive to Uluru to see both the sunrise and sunset if we wanted without any extra cost. No, we didn't get any "tour guide" narration, but there are free tours daily at Uluru and there are a few explanatory signs around the base as well.
I'm sure you also want to consider the relative costs as well. Let's do the math--For one person doing the Base Drive/Sunset Tour of Uluru with AAT, you will spend US$83. For the 1/2 day trip with hike of the Valley of the Winds at Kata Tjuta, you will spend US$58. So 2 tours will cost US$141 per person. To rent an intermediate car from Avis at the airport for 2 days (December rates) will cost about US$160 including all taxes, but not insurance. (BTW, you don't need a 4WD vehicle--the roads to Uluru and Kata Tjuaa are paved and in good condition.)
If you think that the extra narration is worth the extra money, then get a tour. It wasn't to us.

I agree with Afterall - take a tour (there are some good Aboriginal tour guides who will give you an excellent insight into what you're actually seeing )

First stop: The Cultural Centre ... it has a wealth of information and will enrich your total experience.

Then, if you want to venture further afield - say to Kings Canyon etc, by all means hire a car.

Here's my opinion (don't you love that everyone has their own?): you don't need to rent a car to get from the airport to the resort area--the shuttle bus meets scheduled arrivals, and it's convenient, FREE, and quick.

Once you get to the resort, where everyone stays whether it's at a campsite or in an upscale room, you'll need a way to get to Uluru and Kata Tjuta. We took the shuttle to the resort, spent the night, and picked up a rental car the next morning at the resort (reserve in advance). That saved some money and allowed us to do visit Uluru and Kata Tjuta on our own schedule.

I don't think we missed out by skipping the organized tours--we actively explored the area, read our guidebooks, visited the cultural/interpretive centers to get those insights, and chose an activity that appealed to my interests. It was an interesting experience. There's a designated "sunset-viewing" area for cars (with dozens of cars) and one nearby for buses, and a similar "sunrise-viewing" area. Hard to miss. When we were there, it was complete with a police breath-alizer checkpoint to make sure you hadn't imbibed too much while watching the sunset.

Bottom line is that you can't get to the rock or Kata Tjuta without joining a tour or renting a car. Personally, I would rent the car (with pickup the morning after you arrive, assuming you arrive in the late afternoon or evening).

With respect I think you are all missing the point. It's one thing to read a guidebook - background, history, etc, and that's always to be recommended. It's quite another to travel that distance beween x and y and learn something or not learn something, on the way, that, frankly, the guidebooks can't tell you.

I suppose what I'm really saying is that I wouldn't choose to stay in the resort for longer than I had to. I'd prefer to take a not-day trip, a several-day trip, that got you out of there, and allowed you to stay elsewhere - doesn't have to be camping, though that would be my inclination. Nothing like that immense darkness. And to do this in your own vehicle takes mega-planning and is probably not a good thing.

Happy travels though.

Another vote for car.
we were a group of five ancar ental was much more interesting price wise than the organized excursions.
When we went we had our car reserved with AVIS and everything went fine.
Some people were asking around the countersÇ at the airport (three) for cars and they were all rented. So rent your car in advance otherwise you risk not to have one.
I did not see any other place for car rental than the airport.
We went to Uluru , the Olgas,and Kings Canon.
The sunrise and the Sunset (twice)
You can take the tours at the visitors centers.

I give up! Hands in the air.

Your trip; your preferences.

So go for it. Hire that car.