If you're going to Australia and can spare the time you should definitely make the effort to get to Uluru (or Ayers Rock). You'll have seen the image of it on a million postcards, tv programs, newspapers, adverts etc. but when you see it first hand it really is incredible. The easiest way to get there is to fly to Yulara but this can be quite expensive. If you decide to drive be prepared for some ...
moreIf you're going to Australia and can spare the time you should definitely make the effort to get to Uluru (or Ayers Rock). You'll have seen the image of it on a million postcards, tv programs, newspapers, adverts etc. but when you see it first hand it really is incredible. The easiest way to get there is to fly to Yulara but this can be quite expensive. If you decide to drive be prepared for some ...
moreIf you're going to Australia and can spare the time you should definitely make the effort to get to Uluru (or Ayers Rock). You'll have seen the image of it on a million postcards, tv programs, newspapers, adverts etc. but when you see it first hand it really is incredible. The easiest way to get there is to fly to Yulara but this can be quite expensive. If you decide to drive be prepared for some long hours behind the wheel as even Alice Springs (the nearest significant town) is about a 4 or 5 hour drive away. Make sure you fill up with petrol in the towns as filling stations in the outback can be a long way apart and ludicrously expensive.
Accomodation around Uluru is really quite expensive compared to other places in Oz but because it's so remote you don't have many alternatives to choose from. We chose to camp at Yulara (Ayers Rock Resort) which was the cheapest way of doing it but not particularly comfortable. Because we were there at the beginning of August, the temperature plummeted overnight so make sure you bring a warm sleeping bag!
The nearest place outside of the resort that does accommodation is a homestead called Curtin Springs. It's not particularly cheap though and as it's over an hours drive from the rock though so if you're after seeing the rock at sunrise it's probably not the best choice!
Accommodation issues aside, it really is a beautiful thing to see and with the Olgas close by and Kings Canyon not too far away (by Australian outback standards anyway) it definitely makes the trip more than worthwhile.
The Sounds of Silence dinner in the desert is expensive but well worth doing. Otherwise, the best place to eat is at the Outback Pioneer Hotel where they serve a bush barbecue each night.
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