Uluru National Park (Ayers Rock) Travel Forum

I will be traveling to Alice spring with 2 adults and 2 kids age 10 and 12. From Alice spring we would love to visit Kings Canyon and then go to Olgas and Ayers Rock. We would like to see Ayers rock both for the sunrise and the sunset. We would also like to climb it if at all possible. We will be in the area in the mid of December 2006. What is the best way to do this? Can someone reccommend a tour or should we drive?? thanks

AAT KINGS do coach tours to Uluru [the correct name for Ayres Rock]via Kings Canyon, and once at Uluru you can do tours to the Olgas and sunrise and sunset tours, you can also fly in from Alice Springs and tour from Uluru

accommodation at Uluru books up fast you should check first that there is space for your party, and be warned it is horrendously expensive
please dont climb Uluru, not only is it very dangerous it is offensive to the people who regard the rock as a sacred place

Wow, climbing Uluru in the middle of summer. Better you than me.
I'm a little aligned with Bernie re climbing but it actually raises a wonderful topic of how western man wants to conquer everything but many indigenous peoples of the world seek ways of working with what's there.
Whatever you end up doing, have a good time.

well the way I see it we`d be very offended if someone came over to the uk with the express intention of climbing Westminster Abbey just because its there LOL

Please do not climb Uluru (Ayers Rock).
The Anangu people are the custodians of Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park which includes both Uluru and the Olgas (Kata Tjuta.

These first Australians have a complex system of beliefs known as 'Tjukurpa' (pronounced 'chu-ka-pa') and for which there is no direct English translation that encompasses religion, law and the relationship between people, plants, animals and the landscape.

Anangu guides lead walking tours around the base of Uluru/Ayers Rock sharing stories, bush food and discussing the symbolism of various rock art. An indigenous guide is accompanied by an interpreter and these walks provide a rare insight into how the Anangu have lived, and continue to live, in this arid environment.

You will learn much of the land by taking a guided walk, than you will by the offensive climb.

See also tips on VT Uluru Travel Guide re other "no no"s. Taking photos. moving rocks etc. Take the tour!!

While I lean to your sentiments Bernie I think the analogy of Westminster overlooks the fact that it's man made and Uluru is natural. (By the way, how do you get up there [Westminster,that is]?)
Cheers, all.

To reinforce what the others have said about climbing Uluru, apart from it being inappropriate, it is a very hard climb and it will be hot - I mean very hot. Don't even think about two young kids trying to climb it.

We made the trip Alice Springs - King's Canyon - Uluru by a rental car, 4 WD for the Mereenie Loop Road. We rented through the Tourist Information Centre in Alice Springs from Thrifty.
Acommodations in:
- Glen Helen Resort: www.glenhelen.com.au
- Kings Creek Station: www.kingscreekstation.com.au
- Curtin Springs Station: www.curtinsprings.com
Specially if you want to see the sunrise and sunset you will have to find accommodation in the resort in Uluru.

Climbing Uluru: I wouldn't recommend to do, because the Anangu regard this rock as a sacred place. Besides it can be REAL hot in the summer, during our visit in the morning it was about 40 degrees C. (By the way the climb is closed when the expected temperature is more than 36 degrees !!)

happy travels
Jaap