Anyone driven to Uluru/ Ayer's Rock ?
 

As it is 'Winter' here thinking of heading inland to Uluru over the June school hols. It is only 1397 miles from us - around 32 hrs driving, not too bad if you do it in sections. We have a 4wd so no problems there and are thinking of stopping at motels on the way.It was always on my list of places to visit on the bucket list so I am thinking of ticking it off now while the kids are still young enough to want to come!

Has anyone been there, is it worth a visit? Can you give any info on what to do once there and are there any decent hotels there?

Re: Anyone driven to Uluru/ Ayer's Rock ?
 

I'll like to know too, as it's something that we've planned on doing as well. Don't know if I would through the centre of oz, maybe go around the coast line and then up?

Re: Anyone driven to Uluru/ Ayer's Rock ?
 

It's a big rock.

Get a stone from your garden and hold it very close to your face. The effect is the same..

Re: Anyone driven to Uluru/ Ayer's Rock ?
 

:rofl:

Some how I don't think so, unless you have red rocks in your garden:p

Re: Anyone driven to Uluru/ Ayer's Rock ?
 

I have done the trip a few times , it is easy from Adelaide ,what route do you plan on taking ???.............mm:)

Re: Anyone driven to Uluru/ Ayer's Rock ?
 

OK. so....

Get a stone from your garden, paint it red, and hold it very close to your face.

See how easy that was. :D

Re: Anyone driven to Uluru/ Ayer's Rock ?
 

Is it worth it yes, it is. Watching the sunrise or sunset over the rock is the main attraction. The colours are amazing. There are specific sunrise/sunset car parks but to get the best view get there early. Take camp chairs.

There are walks around the base of Uluru and also a Cultural Centre. Kata Tjuta (iamthecreaturefromuranus would describe it as more big red rocks!) is also close by where you can also do the sunset/sunrise (not as spectacular imho) and various walks (Valley of the Winds is pretty good).

Last time we were at Uluru we stayed at the campsite. We were in a tent but there were plenty of cabins that you could stay in. They'd be cheaper than the hotels. There is nowhere else close by so you have to stay within the resort!

National Park website

Ayers Rock Resort website

Re: Anyone driven to Uluru/ Ayer's Rock ?
 

http://uncyclopedia.wikia.com/wiki/Ayers_Rock

everything you need to know

Re: Anyone driven to Uluru/ Ayer's Rock ?
 

And spend the money that we save on more piss, great idea mate, Thanks:thumbup:

Re: Anyone driven to Uluru/ Ayer's Rock ?
 

Presumably her Husband ? Bit personal though MM ;)

Re: Anyone driven to Uluru/ Ayer's Rock ?
 

I thought about driving up to Darwin from Melbourne taking in Uluru. It's about 9000km there and back - putting that in perspective that's about half the distance between Melbourne and London :p

I've decided against driving as it's too far and will take too long so I'm looking at taking the bus instead - to Adelaide first, stay there a couple of days then onwards up to Alice. I'll probably just fly from Darwin back to melbourne.

Re: Anyone driven to Uluru/ Ayer's Rock ?
 

We are flying with Virgin Blue from Sydney in August. They are just starting flying there and half the price of what QANTAS have traditionally done it for.

Re: Anyone driven to Uluru/ Ayer's Rock ?
 

I had this grand idea of driving Adelaide-Alice-Ayer's Rock-Adelaide over easter and the week after. Having done it, I'd fly next time I go 'up north'. It's a bloody boring drive. If you can, fly. It's a whole lot easier.

If you do go (however you get there), spend some time at the Olgas. They're a hell of a lot more interesting than Ayer's Rock.

Cheers

Steve

Re: Anyone driven to Uluru/ Ayer's Rock ?
 

we drove to Adelaide, took the train there to Alice, then drove back.

The trip was fab.
We went to Ulhuru, Kata Tjuta (sp?), King's Canyon (fab and only 300kms from Ulhuru) and on the way back stopped at Coober Pedy.

Highlights for me were: the Ghan, King's Canyon and Coober Pedy.
Ulhuru was worth seeing, but I thought KC was more impressive as you can walk up over the top.

Re: Anyone driven to Uluru/ Ayer's Rock ?
 

It's one of those places I've always wanted to see but since being here I now think it's a hell of a long way to go (over fairly boring barren land) just to see a rock and a 'fantastic sunrise/set'. I need to win Lotto (big time) so I can fly from Coolie airport by private jet.

Re: Anyone driven to Uluru/ Ayer's Rock ?
 

I'd agree with that, if you have the time then definitely go to Kings Canyon. Fantastic walk along the canyon rim. Coober Pedy is also worth a visit.

I'll point the OP (or any other interested party) in the direction of the blog I kept whilst the wife and I drove around the Eastern half of Oz in 2008 - Uluru, Kings Canyon & Coober Pedy - not the quality of the Lonely Planet but it might give you a few ideas.

Re: Anyone driven to Uluru/ Ayer's Rock ?
 

OP , it's not a question of how to get there . That is not even an option .
Its a question of what you will see when you arrive .

Go to Ularu , lay your gaze upon its majesty .

Run your hands through that golden red sand , lift your quivvering sweating hands to your mouth and taste it. If you are pure of heart and mind you will see it differently to those who are not .

A vista of lush green valleys will open up before you . The plains that were once barron now move as one with the roaming of unicorns and smurfs all living as one . High upon Ularu itself your jaw dropped gaze will take in the magic crystal castle that sits aloft this mighty rock proud and tall . below it waterfalls casscade in to pools at your feet . Rainbows dance in its twinkling spray .

Yes go to Ularu , crawl there if you must .

Re: Anyone driven to Uluru/ Ayer's Rock ?
 

Magic mushrooms for breakfast?

Re: Anyone driven to Uluru/ Ayer's Rock ?
 

Ask same question in 6 weeks time and we'll answer yes!

We're heading off with camper trailer in tow right through the middle and up to Darwin and back. Can't wait - online looking at accommodation now.

My top tip is to book now as it's peak tourist season and with school holidays first two weeks of July for most it's even busier! Having said that there is a lot of choice outside of Uluru itself so hoping it's not to mad!

I think it's a heritage type thing feeling for us - can't have all these backpackers working for us that have been and done everything that we haven't yet:unsure:

Re: Anyone driven to Uluru/ Ayer's Rock ?
 

But how far away from Uluru are these choices? Only the hotels and camp site at Yulara is really close. And that's why they can charge really high prices (apart from the camp site which we found very reasonable).

Remember you'll have to get up at a ridiculous time in the morning to make sunset!

Re: Anyone driven to Uluru/ Ayer's Rock ?
 

I assume you really meant sunrise then?????:D

Re: Anyone driven to Uluru/ Ayer's Rock ?
 

Nah, I like to sleep all day ;)

Why can't I edit an old post to stop me from looking like a numptie?

Re: Anyone driven to Uluru/ Ayer's Rock ?
 

i went by coach 15 years ago, it wasnt a bad way to pass 2 or 3 days (well, i went from sydney - canberra - cross the outback to SA then up thru coober peedy and via alice to Ulhuru). i stayed in the hostel type accomodation at ulhuru (dont know if its still there) for 3 or 4 nights, had an absolute blast, then coached it all the way back to sydney.
awesome journey, but got to sleep at night (i can sleep on a washing line, so a coach seat is no problem)
did the rock tour on the back of a harley ... awesome memories!
would love to do it again with the kids, but would probably fly if we have the money to do so.

Re: Anyone driven to Uluru/ Ayer's Rock ?
 

How do you know you can sleep on a washing line? When did you find out? Why did you attempt it in the first place? Just when I think I know someone, they tell me something that blows my mind :blink::rofl:

Re: Anyone driven to Uluru/ Ayer's Rock ?
 

years of practice mp, years of practice ;)

Re: Anyone driven to Uluru/ Ayer's Rock ?
 

We drove from Cairns (across country) to Mt Isa, then onto Three Ways and down to Ayres Rock.

I was one heck of a trip but we did do it over a three week period.

Driving from Three Ways to the Rock was exciting at first because we were in the “true” outback and had never driven in that sort of environment before but after six hours of a completely straight road and exactly the same scenery....it did start to become a little bit monotonous.

In fact we went a bit nutty and celebrated a bend in the road by cracking open a cold beer. Especially went nutty having to listen to the same tape over and over and over again (tape = early 90’s era). So make sure you take plenty of different CDs and backseat car games for the kids.

There was no other traffic about except for the occasional road train which was an absolutely terrifying experience to have one overtake you, or you overtake it.

The traditional owners ask you not to climb the rock but quite frankly we said bugger that because of the distance involved getting there and we climbed it. I am glad we did because the climb and view was amazing. The Olgas are creepy (weird energies) but they are also spectacular.

You can also do a Aboriginal guided Ayres rock base walk, do sunset and sunrise tours, plus dining by starlight, walking in the Olgas, helicopter and balloon flights. I am sure there is much more these days.

We also visited Kings Canyon and did the rim walk. That too was fantastic and completely deserted during that era, but I now hear that a resort has opened up there.

Apart from a proper campsite in Alice Springs and Ayres Rock we mainly camped on the side of the road (well off the road away from road trains) and one night we camped at the Devils Marbles, which was again full of ancient energies. The Daly Waters pub was “interesting” and Winston Churchills Head was very hard to find!

After all this we headed up to Darwin and stopping at Mataranka for an early morning dip before all the hoards turned up was sensational.

Looks like this new luxury resort has opened since we were there and it looks gorgeous:

http://www.longitude131.com.au/video/

But at that stage we were backpacking, so cost had to be kept at a minimal.

Anyway, I personally think it is more than worth it, a good opportunity to see the real Australia. There is some amazing country out there.

Make sure you take a good camera with a zoom, as it is hard to capture the true beauty of the Rock with a cheap one.

Re: Anyone driven to Uluru/ Ayer's Rock ?
 

Whilst the drive can be boring in parts due to the same scenery for hours on end, I would still not recommend flying for your first trip, as driving in the outback can be exciting if you have never done it before. Depends on your attitude and sense of adventure.

Depending on which way you going, with a four wheel drive you can visit some of the most intresting places that you will completely miss if you fly.

My hubby drove from Melbourne to Ayres Rock (through the horrendous – his words – Coober Pedy) and said it was the most boring drive of his life.

But I drove the other way from Three Ways down to Alice etc...and there were a number of interesting sites along the way.

At least if you drive you can camp at some good free places along the way.

Re: Anyone driven to Uluru/ Ayer's Rock ?
 

Yep drove from Perth to Cairns a few years ago in January!!! Camped in the desert!!!. The 46C heat took its toll though!! Took in all the sights in the middle....ayers rock was magnificent...very spiritual, however, the Olgas were also just as impressive!! Took 15 days in total....road trip of my life!! Saw parts of Australia that you would never seen in a plane....I'd highly recommend it....you won't regret it...:)

Re: Anyone driven to Uluru/ Ayer's Rock ?
 

and please don't walk up the rock!! Grrrr

Re: Anyone driven to Uluru/ Ayer's Rock ?
 

Why Grrrrr !!

Please DO walk up the rock.

Re: Anyone driven to Uluru/ Ayer's Rock ?
 

Well do walk it, but its hard to walk past the sign at the bottom of the rock from the indigenous people politely asking people not to because of the spiritual significance and religious importance it holds to them....I personally thought it very disrespectful...but hey, thousands of people ignore the sign and do it anyway....we all make choices in life...

Re: Anyone driven to Uluru/ Ayer's Rock ?
 

Never driven that trip, but do work and drive in the desert. If the route requires 4x drive then be sure to be properly prepared.

Firstly, is the vehicle a true 4x4 or a school run 4x4. A lot of the cars sold as such would not actually last a day out here.

Check the equipment you have / need. If you need advice feel free to PM me, and there are a couple of posts on here with those of us who work in the bush discussing pro's and cons of things.

Re: Anyone driven to Uluru/ Ayer's Rock ?
 

I didn't.

I climbed. And I would climb again.

They did not have the No Climb sign up in the early 90's, that is a more recent thing.

I had to wee in one of the caves at the base as I was red-in-the-face crossing-my-legs busting and didn't want anyone to see me with my daks down. I have since been told that was disrespectful thing to do, as all the caves are sacred - but hey it was 15km to the nearest toilet, what the heck was I meant to do!

Magnificent but hard steep climb. So if you do climb, make sure you wear appropriate non-slip flat shoes that grip.

But if others think it is disrespectful, the base walk is good too.