O/T - Living at Yulara (Ayers Rock)

Havent been there yet, but a friend spent 2 years there working in the transport industry.
Dont think he found anything cheap, the accomadation varied, and most reasonable services are in Alice, and he was single bloke so entertainment was varied, depending who was visiting LOL
Can waste a lot of money at the main entertainment venue, the bar, so be prepared to entertain yourself.
He went there with great admiration for the abbo's, and after delivering hundreds of thounsands of dollars worth of goods to them and the wastage and the anti social behaviour, and the two sets of rules for white and black, after 2 years he left and now hates the black community!!
This was a few years ago, so some things may have changed, but I guess its up to you to make a good experience of it.
He was also into stargazing, and that part he really enjoyed as its supposed to be a magnificent spot for that.

Cheers Pesty

Gday

- What is the social dynamics like amongst the community?? Crap!

- What are the community services like?? (Shops, entertainment, fuel, health) Crap!
- What are the essential services like?? (Police / Fire / Medical) Crap!
- What are fuel prices like?? Crap!
- What is the 'cost of living' like?? Crap!

Appart from that, you should really like it! LOL

Seriously, Ive been down there lots of times and sometimes to work and had to stay there but never actually lived there. Everything is expensive, there is bugger all to do after work and they are a real clicky group.
Once you become one of them you will probably find things will get better.
Try to get to know the rangers, you might get some access to land atleast.

Good luck

Hi, pity the answers given are from people who havent lived there! Must just like seeing their words in print. My partner and I have lived there while working for the RFDS. Its a great place to stay, heaps to do, and the residents have access to a licenced club, pool, gym etc as well as all the tourist facilities. We didnt work for voyages, but housing will vary depending on your position with them. Send us an email for any other info. We are working on a community in the NT at the moment.

Cheers

Have not worked there but visited a few times - I thought the supermarket prices were quite reasonable - fuel is pricey everywhere in the outer areas - no more so at Yulara - booze was a shocker though - we take every drop we will need while there - local workers do have a club as mentioned above - guess prices are much better there. No comment re social issues...........

Hi Straps,

this is only from the angle of a visitor, but I can't imagine it would any different if you were a resident:

fuel - ULP 1.58 at end of April. Pretty sure there's only the one servo (mobil from memory) next to the campground.

shopping - IGA was OK for prices, fresh bread, meat etc. Some things are odd, like pepsi being $40 for a box because the resort is a "coke" resort. Items posted from the post office at yulara took almost a month to reach the sunshine coast.

Had to use the auto repairer while we were there (welding) - they seemed helpful and competent

The essential services (police, medical, fire etc) are all there

Hope that is of some use.
Cheers, David

G'day straps,
I lived at yulara for 2 years.
the accomodation varies, depending on what position you have, do you know the name of the accom they gave you? i can help you further with that.
most accom is pretty small.. but comfortable. except if you got share share.. in which case, tell em to stick it!
social scene is pretty good. There is a club there, for residents only, funnily enough, called the Res club, it's just like any pub anywhere, it's really good, and a good place for a feed and a drink. the tourists aren't allowed in there, and drinks are normal prices.
community services are pretty good, remember it's the middle of nowhere, it's not adelaide!
there is an IGA, prices are pretty good for a bush supermarket, and you get 10% discount. entertainment?? it's the bush :) :) you make your own!!!
fuel is reasonab;e for a remote servo.. it will ALWAYS be dearer than towns, remember that.
cost of living isn't too bad, considering voyages have the monopoly on it.. they own everything there, including the iga and servo.
the medical centre is very good, and run by the flyin docs, you get well looked after, and mostly for free. there is a police station, and fire station.
it's probably the best serviced remote town in the NT.
i won't comment on working for voyages.
i was there for 2 years, but only worked for voyages for a couple of months, they were ok while i was with them.
after that i worked for private enterprise.
quick trips out of yulara? .. docker river, mt conner, ernabella, kings canyon, cave hill... there's plenty around there to see.

I can't answer your queries either but will say Good luck, I'm sure you will enjoy the great Outback .And I bet the scenery will be still be as beautiful as when I first went there in 66,then again in 68, 83, and 86 I took one of the two large Solar heated water tanks there from Brisbane in 1983

Doug

I am hoping that 'huntin' might be able to send me an email address to contact on. I would be keen on asking some more questions.??

I will be hopefully working for the RFDS up in Yulara and am keen to seek some further info.

Thank you to those who have answered so far, most appreciated.

Cheers
Straps