Uluru National Park (Ayers Rock) Travel Forum

I will have only 3 nights to visit the Uluru/Kings Canyon area near the end of November. I arrive at 10 am at the Alice Springs airport and tought I'd drive to Kings Canyon, get there by 3 pm, and exlore the area that afternoon. Next morning, I thought I'd do the walk in/around Kings Canyon, then when finished, drive to Uluru. Figure I'd arrive Uluru area around 3 pm, and explore Uluru in afternoon, and next day visit Uluru area again, and around 1 pm, head back to Alice Springs. So, that's one night in Kings Canyon, one night at Uluru, and one night in Alice Springs, and obviously, a lot of driving in between. Or, should I delete the visit to Kings Canyon and spend two nights at Uluru area? Thanks, I appreciate your help.

I think your plan is fine, although personally, I found the Olgas to be a more interesting place to hike than Kings Canyon (maybe I have seen too many canyons in my day, I don't know!). You should have plenty of time to do both locations. When I did this trip with a group tour, we actually hit all three of them in three days, but I thought the whole thing was very rushed, and I wouldn't recommend it. Out of the three spots, I liked the Olgas the best--to me it was a much more interesting hike than Uluru, and I saw tons of great birds there, which for me was a major highlight.

I also think your itinerary is fine and you will be able to get a first impression of Kings Canyon, Uluru and the Olga's.
We were not able to visit the Olga's and still regret it.

Liked the walk to Kings Canyon very much, although very HOT. So visit early in the morning or late afternoon.

I would surely cancel Kings Canyon and spend the whole time in the Uluru area, enjoy the sunrises and sunsets at Ayers Rock and the Olgas. The latter are really magic, as is Uluru (Ayers Rock), and walking in the Olgas is very special, as they have their own little canyons, wildlife - and bush flies LOL

I have been at Kings Canyon two nights and done several walks but would, as said, happily swap it for the Olgas.

Looks like you have set the dates for this...BUT if you can change the plans...you can fly out of Uluru, then you wouldn't have to do the drive back to Alice.
OR fly into Uluru and out of Alice:)

I would not miss Kings Canyon. If it isn't too hot when you arrive, you might have time to do the top of the Canyon walk the day you arrive, I think this walk is great. Then early morning...really early the next day do the bottom walk.
When you arrive in Uluru at 3pm you will be able to go and do the sunset. Then next day do the sunrise and then head straight to the Olga's for a look and short walk, then back to the main gate and out off to Alice.
If you have time, stop and have a check out of the Culture Centre that is on the road back to the Main gate. You can do a quick look at this, or longer if you have time.

There is nothing in the village area you need to check out, all at the Rock and Olgas:)

Drive carefully and make sure you aren't tired, I have done this drive a few times and it isn't hard, all good surfaced roads...

I would suggest that you go straight to Uluru for the first night. The road you have to take to get to both Kings Canyon and Uluru is via Erldunda turnoff.
Kings Canyon is 472 Klms from Alice and Uluru is actually slightly less at 442klms. You cannot go a shorter way in conventional vehicles or rentals as the alternate "short cut" road is gravel, dirt, slow driving and hugely corrugated. By going to Uluru first you will get started on the best and can leave as late as 3pm the second day to travel the 302 klms from Uluru to Kings Canyon for the second night. Do Kings Canyon the third morning and head for Alice just after lunch. It is only a little bit of fine tuning to your schedule(same distances etc)but in my opinion a very definite improvement.Get started at Uluru first. I have opinions on what is best to see as I have visited the Uluru region on several occassions but Kings Canyon only once, but as you have some desire to see Kings Canyon then the opportunity is there to do so and you almost certainly won't regret it. Can't argue with any of the advice given above. You can fit it all in with good planning and early starts. Have a good trip and best wishes.