Uluru National Park (Ayers Rock) Travel Forum

Hi guys

I'm excited about my first trip to Oz, but have limited time. I am planning to visit Uluru from Sydney, and then go on to Cairns and the GBR. Is it possible to fly in on a Saturday morning and fly out Sunday afternoon? Is this enough time? I'm confused about which airports to come in and out of, where to stay (a cool hotel close to the rock I guess) and the best times to see Uluru. There are so many different places closeby, not sure what should be a priority. To make things more complicated, I don't drive, so also need transport advice and I'm travelling solo. Thanks very much!

Cheers,

Rob.

you can fly direct to the airport at Ularu form Cairns, and there is a shuttle to take you from the airport to the Ayres Rock resort
the resort is VERY expensive but as its only one night you shouldnt go bankrupt, but you need to book as early as possible, and try the sunset and sunrise tours, these are the best times to see Uluru

Have a look at the Qantas.com.au site and you will see the flights that are available from Uluru airport to Cairns and other places.
Some days there are minimum flights.
One of the cheapest places to stay in at Uluru is the Outback Pioneer
http://www.ozhorizons.com.au/nt/alice/arr/oph.htm

As Berni has said, Sunset and Sunrise is what most look forward to seeing.
You can do this plus more in the time you have.
After the sunrise you could book a guided walking tour with an Aboriginal guide. This is a great way to learn the history and culture of this area.


All the accommodation is within walking distance to the small Uluru village.
The *Rock* is a distance from the accommodation.

You will be able to get a tour bus to the *rock* to see the Sunset and Sunrise.
When you book your accommodation also ask them times and prices of these tours.

Hopefully you can go Sydney/Uluru( Ayres Rock)/Cairns That way you aren't backtracking.

Rob,

Coming from the UK can get so many flights within Aus for an extra so many pounds.
It might be worth looking into that, it could save you a few pounds/dollars.
Berni has mentioned she would do this next time she visits Aus.

Annie, Berni - thanks so much for your replies!

I'm trying to do Sydney - Uluru - Cairns - Byron Bay - Sydney

So if my time is limited Uluru is fine on its own, I don't need to see Alice Springs? What would I be missing out on? Any way I could fly into Uluru and out of Alice Springs?

People keep mentioning that if you're coming from the UK you cna get cheap internal flights. How the heck does that work? I'm flying a round trip London - Sydney on Virgin, but can't see how that could help.

Thanks again.

Hi again
While travelling we always miss on something. It all depends what time we have, I think it's better to see a little than none at all:)
Yes, you can fly into Uluru and out of Alice Springs.....OR into Alice and out of Uluru. With limited time you could do a tour that leaves Alice and goes to Uluru via Kings Canyon. There are 2/3 day tours that leave Alice.
Then fly from Uluru. If you google *Tours from Alice Springs* you will find heaps, some are cheaper than others.
Here is one link
http://www.totaltravel.com.au/travel/nt/redcentre/uluruayersrock/directory/tours

I am not sure how these tickets work. If Berni doesn't come back into here, maybe leave a comment on her page and I am sure she will answer your query.
Or someone else may pass through and answer your question on that.

Virgin don't have the internal discount fare thing.
This is probably because they Virgin Aus don't fly from a few of the airports here.They do fly from Cairns to Sydney.
Qantas have it, I think it's the Boomerang pass. But I also think you have to fly from UK with them or British Airways.
To look for the best flight deals within Aus here are a couple of site to look at.
Qantas.com.au
virginblue.com.au
webjet.com.au

we didnt get any cheap deals with Virgin, but ask your travel agent if you use one for any discoiunt internal flights, try Qantas`s Red Eye deals, we got somebargains with them
Id fly to Uluru and back from Cairns, its the nearest [not that ANYWHERE is nesr to anything else in Oz LOL] Alice Spring is a good place to visit, but is a 5 hour drive from Uluru

If you don't drive and are travelling on your own, it may be worth enquiring about package trips to Uluru, either from Sydney or Alice Springs. (You may find it cheaper to fly in and out of Sydney to Uluru with a package deal).

Accommodation is going to be minimum of AUD$100 (and probably much more)without food and each trip from hotel into Uluru National Park is minimum of AUD$50.

You never know, you may find a good deal which includes accommodation etc through some 'googling'.

HI! Rob:

Everyone's here with great advices (but of course).
Yes, you can fly into Yulara airport, and as one previous VTer had mentioned, there is a free shuttle bus from the airport to Ayers Rock Resort (a monopoly).
Link: http://www.ayersrockresort.com.au/

Do note you can take a coach from Yulara to Alice Springs via Greyhound (http://www.greyhound.com.au). The bus journey takes about 5 hours+. As your timing is very tight, you may do better with Anne's suggestion.

If you decide to do DIY in Yulara, you can try this tour company that will bring you to Uluru or Kata Tjuta: Uluru Express (http://www.uluruexpress.com.au/)

You are welcome to take a look at my VT Uluru and Alice Springs pages to see if the tips are any useful.

Rob,
Having just returned from Oz, I can tell you that if your time in Uluru is short, you can completely skip Alice Springs and not really be worried that you're missing something. Uluru will give you the Outback experience.

I stayed at the Sails in the Dessert hotel. It's a bit pricy, but as another poster said, it's just for one night.

The flies are super annoying. Buy a cork hat. (hat with corks hanging from it, looks stupid, but works)

Sunrise is probably the best and least crowded time to see Uluru. It gets hot during the day - super hot.

If you have any GBR or Sydney questions, I was there also, so feel free to email.
Carmen

Thanks everyone for all your replies and great advice. I'm getting my Uluru trip sorted and will definitely be back for some more suggestions about GBR and East Coast trip shortly. Thanks again!

Rob