There are many day-tours at Uluru that you can join when you are there. First of all, it is much easier and cheaper to fly into Alice Springs than into Uluru… From time to time during this trip I have seen special places that have given me a feeling of wonder and happiness (Machu Picchu, Angel Falls, Milford Track), and this was definitely another one of those places. A diverse range of experiences are available along the route, ranging from the awesome spectacle of Uluru… I later found out that if you book through the tourist information center called Discover Central Australia, you could get rentals for unlimited kilometers for a much lower rate. Some people prefer this place than Uluru itself. Swap the drive if you are travelling with companions. While travelling to Ayers Rock, you can always include a visit to the fascinating Kings Canyon National Park. On top of that, there is no cheap accommodation at Yulara, which is the Ayers Rock Resort. After entering name and email address, check your mailbox to confirm your subscriptionâ! This website uses cookies to ensure you receive the best experience. I only had two days and one night to visit it, since I arrived at Alice Springs on a Monday afternoon and was taking the Thursday Ghan back to Adelaide. Here you can read about my tips on how to stay healthy while on the road. Great post there. There’s no cheap way to do Uluru, with 3-day bus tours being extremely expensive. The first thing you should think about is to pack your food when driving from Alice Springs to Uluru. I drove to the Sunset Viewing Area, getting there about 30 minutes before the sun went down. From … 12:07 am. Unfortunately it was a very cloudy day, blocking the sun from shining with full power on Uluru. If you are adventurous, you may want to consider camping at Uluru, as it’s a cheaper accommodation option. We urge you to think about taking the time to drive . Pick the right season to avoid the crowds and the heat. All Rights Reserved. The sun did take a peak for about two minutes, allowing me to take this picture. Among all trips I would consider a scenic flight over the Uluru Rock, this is the best way to see Uluru and Katja Tjuta from the air perspective and really worth the money. Hello All. Use this section to plan your own trip! I kept my eye open for animals, expecting to see kangaroos and camels, but I didn’t see anything except for a few cows. This was the first time I drove during this long trip around the world, and the change from buses to the freedom of going at my own pace gave me a lot of joy and happiness. This meant that I would have to get there on my own. To go to Uluru, you simply return south along the Luritja Road and then turn right and drive the 150km (approx) to Uluru/Yulara. We arrived to Uluru midday on 21st April. Today will be your first taste of the great Australian outback! However, the trail is not dull; there are many sacred sites, rock carvings and painting. From Alice Springs you cannot miss the road, follow it straight ahead of you and keep driving for 440 hundred km. ( we had planned to head straight to Alice Springs for 3 days but haven’t yet booked accomodation).. We have 3 days booked at Uluru … To make the most of your trip, you need to plan two full days and two nights for visiting both places. I use it all the time. Know before you go: Uluru to Darwin road trip tips The dry season (May to October) is the ideal time to visit. I recommend the Valley of the Winds Walk, which is a 4 hours walk. © 2006-2020 Kevin's Travel Blog. rockytravel November 6, 2016 @ This is a 9 km walk, and you will not be allowed to take photos. If I had more time in Australia, I would have spent at least a week in the area to also visit Kings Canyon and other interesting places around. If you find this article helpful for your trip, I’d appreciate it if you could support Rocky Travel and book your tours, accommodation, rental car, or purchase my book using the links in the box below, thank you! These common thoughts often prevent people from visiting Uluru in the first place. As an Amazon Associate I also earn from qualifying purchases. I have used some of these tips and reviews on my recent travel. 2021 © All Rights Reserved www.rockytravel.net. A half-cup of hot water + 1 tea bag for 5,50 AUD. 12:37 pm. Show More Posts. I made a stop at Erldunda Roadhouse to refuel. He was kind enough to advice me on where to go the following morning for sunrise pictures. There is only one hostel which is often overbooked and hotels. I’d recommend staying at the Yulara Resort, that’s the only accommodation hub for the whole area (unless you want to camp) and it will be your base. For Australia get the best comparison results among apartments, homestay, B&B and hotel deals with booking.com. It was a very happy moment for me. Alternatively, you can hire a 4WD or a camper van and drive across Outback unsealed roads. If you are aged up to 66, we recommend the plans, including coverage for outdoor activities by WorldNomads. Hiking towards Liverpool Hut in Mount Aspiring Nat, Camping near Cape Reinga, the northernmost point o, Surreal being surrounded by 45,000 people #rugby #, Australian Rail Pass: The Ghan and The Indian Pacific, Rental Car Relocation, And Driving the Great Ocean Road in Australia, In Review: 23 Days of Backpacking in Australia. Looking for some recommendations on our upcoming trip in late April. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); You can get to Ayers Rock by plane or by car. The Ultimate Australian Road Trip – Uluru (Ayers Rock) Option 1: Brisbane to Uluru Written by Cristian & Fernando – BROWNS Intensive General English (B2 level) students Road trip … Furthermore, if you want to explore more the area, there are a handful of guided Uluru Walks with local aboriginal rangers that you can do too. But, you can get one bus to Alice Springs—about 43 hours—and then connect to another bus to Uluru—about 5-6 hours. It’s about the same size as Uluru, except that instead of one big rock, it is composed of many smaller rocks. It would be best if you had time to savour the Uluru Rock. This is one of my favourite road trips in Australia. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. Some people travel to Uluru on a one-day trip. The road trip from Alice Springs to Uluru (Ayer’s Rock) on the Stuart Highway and Lasseter Highway consists of a drive of 468km, 291 mi, 6:28 hrs through the sparsely populated Australian outback in … SECURE CAR RENTALS DEALS IN AUSTRALIAFind the best deal among thousands of offers, with the no. You will drink more than what you plan to drink. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. Would like to hear your feedback! Thanks for guide. rockytravel November 6, 2016 @ Go with a tour company. Having visited Uluru twice, on my solo travels around Australia, in 2004 and 2011, I must say that there is something magical about Australia’s Red Centre. A good alternative is to fly to Alice Springs and then hire a car to get around the area. The biggest Uluru attractions are its magnificent sunsets and sunrises. Be prepared for this. There are supermarkets and various shops where you can buy anything you need from food to souvenirs. 1 Australian Comparison Site for rental cars, campervans and relocation vans. When I first researched car rentals, they were very expensive since they all came with a 100 km per day limit, which is no good since Uluru is 450 km away from Alice. They even spotted wild brumbies grazing by the side of the road. You will not need a four-wheel-drive vehicle; the route is completed on well maintained sealed roads and a two-wheel drive car is what you need. Spiritually Significant: A trip to Uluru (Ayers Rock) is also about experiencing and understanding its cultural and spiritual significance.Both Uluru (Ayers Rock) and Kata Tjuta have great cultural significance for the Anangu traditional landowners. Michela Australia Destinations Australia Road Trips, Outback 8. A self-guided road trip vs an organised Tour. It also allows you to see what life is … I know that Uluru will become one of the highlights on this long journey around the world. Book your rental car according to your Northern Territory route. Please do not skip the Kata Tjuta Sunrise; it’s the best way to see the light reflections on its big walls. Our suggestion is to fly into Alice Springs , spend a day there and then … From a camel ride to dining under the stars. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. Don’t skip on this as this is a fantastic occasion to learn about the place’s indigenous significance. You can fly direct from Melbourne to Uluru or Alice Springs, but this epic Uluru road trip allows you to get off the beaten path and observe the gradual changes in terrain. From Alice Springs you cannot miss the road, follow it straight ahead of you and keep driving for 440 hundred km. I ended up paying 142 AUD for a 2-day rental. The park rangers offer a free-guided morning walk. ð, Gezi Rehberi September 15, 2013 @ Make as many stops as possible, to stretch your legs. That was a bit disappointing. These cookies do not store any personal information. The Northern Territory road trip between Darwin and Uluru (Ayers Rock) is regarded as an essential Australian outback experience. Too expensive, too much hype, too crowded, too hot. The Greyhound bus will let you choose where you want to stop along the way and the price is pretty fair at $180 for the trip … They stood next to a wedge-tailed eagle at Alice Springs Desert Park, and rode a camel through the desert at Pyndan Camel Tracks. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. On the way to Uluru or on the way back to Alice Springs I would plan an overnight stop to King’s Canyon – driving on sealed roads – and from there do the beautiful Kings Canyon Rim Walk. I could have spent a whole day there, but my time was limited. You can stay for rest at the fuel stations, sit comfortably in the shadow, eat your food while enjoying the Outback colours, and breathe the outback air. Driving time: 6 … We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. ð, Jeremy-vs March 26, 2016 @ It was only around 27 C, so I can’t imagine how it must be in the summer at around 40 C. The drive back to Alice Springs felt long, and once again I didn’t see any animals except for cows. While Brisbane and Uluru are 'only' 1,364 miles (2,195 km) apart, the overland route is much longer, at 1,864 miles (3000 km). Food is also costly. 1:45 pm, rockytravel February 18, 2012 @ I chose the Stuart and Lasseter Highways route after the advice from an excellent online article. Alone for fuel, you will spend about 20-30% more than Australia’s average fuel price. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. Self-driving is the cheapest way to visit Uluru and, according to my experience, the best way to see it. First of all, you will not be able to see Uluru and Kata Tjuta on one day. He said that if it remained cloudy, the popular spot for sunrise pictures wouldn’t be ideal since the rock would once again have a dull color. From the information centre located at Yulara (Ayers Rock Resort), you can get a detailed Uluru map of the area, with distances, plus all Uluru sunset and sunrise timetables. It’s not only your home for the journey, it’s … Self-driving from Alice Springs is the most convenient route as it allows you to see much of the Red Centre and do it at your own pace. Rocky Travel is free to use. … By using this site you are agreeing to our, Insert details about how the information is going to be processed, Tips for Visiting Uluru On A Road Trip From Alice Springs, 440 km from Alice Springs to Ayers Rock via the Lasseter Highway, 300 km from Ayers Rock to Kings Canyon (sealed roads), 400 km from Kings Canyon back to Alice Springs (sealed roads). However, there are lots of ways to save money if you make all the arrangements in advance. Self discover or take guided Uluru … Driving from Alice Springs to Ayers Rock article on http://traveloutbackaustralia.com. âTâravel with Me in Italy and Australiaâ. Darwin to Daly Waters. I don’t know about other parts of Australia, but here you couldn’t just pay at the pump. 3:44 pm. The drive to Uluru is one of the most amazing, iconic road trips in the entire world. I smiled often during the 5-hour drive. Here you can find more tips for enduring long driving in the Outback. I couldn’t figure out at first, but in Australia you first fill up at the pump, and then walk inside the store to pay for it. I must say that it’s a better place for walking around with the incredible round shapes of many heads (the meaning of Kata Tjuta). When are you going to travel to Australia again? Required fields are marked *. TRAVEL SAFE WITH AFFORDABLE TRAVEL INSURANCETravel with peace of mind. A four-wheel-drive vehicle will allow you to explore the gorgeous landscape of the nearby West MacDonnell Ranges. BOOK ACCOMMODATION AROUND AUSTRALIASearch and find the right type of accommodation that suits your style and budget. I’m happy with the picture I got. There are a few rest stops and roadhouses (places with campsites, gasoline station, store, and maybe rooms) along the way. Since you will be spending a few days at Uluru, I can highly recommend buying food in Alice Springs and pack all the things you need. 5:17 pm. The Ayers Rock Resort or Yulara s a large complex with a range of accommodations. If you love hiking, you cannot miss out on this astounding place. Great work with the blog. Take plenty of water tanks with you before you hit the road. No matter how you will be visiting, the magic of Uluru will leave long-lasting memories of all Australia destinations. The Anangu People are the traditional land-owners, and you will hear fascinating things about their Uluru Dreamtime story. I got there around 3:30pm and pitched my tent before getting back on the car to drive into the national park. Get travel insurance that is affordable and offers the coverage that suits you. They take you to some of the best rock paintings and Uluru Waterfalls. There are also many hiking trails around, but it was already noon and with a 5-hour drive back to Alice Springs, I couldn’t do any of them. Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. Six thousand kilometres, 19 days, two adults, two kids, and a hell of a lot of camping gear. What you need is to make yourself comfortable on the road. It takes about 25 minutes to drive to the Uluru Rock, and from the Uluru resort, you can drive to both the various sunset and sunrise viewing areas. The long trip distance to the Red Centre is not worth it. I expect we’ve all seen photos, and it looks exactly as it does in … Sidney and Perth, Australia Australian Rail Pass: The Ghan and The Indian Pacific Road Trip to Magical Uluru Rental Car Relocation, And Driving the Great Ocean Road … If you drive to Uluru, you can't help but stop in at local hotels, shops and restaurants, and visit local events and "driver revivers" (sausage sizzles and free cups of tea put on by local charities to prevent … If you can’t drive or otherwise can’t get a hold of a car, the buses are a good option. The food and beverage offer is limited (for my taste, I would say poor). Driving long distances in the outback makes you tired because of the heat. Bus. Take a good map of the area to check where the fuel stations are along your way. If the idea of hiring a car and driving into the outback makes you nervous, … Kids in the car on an Uluru road trip. Between March-April and October-November is, in my opinion, the best time to visit Uluru. You don’t need a 4WD to travel to Ayers Rock. I experienced tea being outrageously expensive. 3:47 pm, Hi Jeremy, great to hear that. Once you have done that, I would recommend walking around the Big Rock and do the Uluru base walk. Plan plenty of time to drive from Yulara to the Uluru viewing area and the new sunrise viewing platform, they are 15-20 minutes drive from each other. Bhumi November 19, 2014 @ With the fees for the extra kilometers, it was going to cost around 200 AUD per day. As you know, in Australia, you are not allowed to drive on gravel roads with 2WD vehicles. AUSTRALIA TRIP PLANNING SERVICESGet Michela’s expert advice to answer your questions, clear doubts, and craft a personalised Australia itinerary with rock-solid knowledge, first-hand tips and professional help to plan your trip to Australia. One short and one long. I would strongly recommend that you have your own vehicle at Uluru. This post is part of a series called Australia 2015. The total Adelaide to Uluru distance is 1,600 kilometers, or 994 miles, if you stay on the direct route via National Highway A87. The road trip is about 5.5 hours with three stops at the service stations in between. If it was cloudy, he suggested that I instead returned to this very same spot and shoot into sun, which should produce a nice orange background. Unfortunately the clouds didn’t clear the following morning, so it was back to the Sunset Viewing Area for pictures. Despite reading about it, it fooled me into thinking for a few minutes that I was looking at Uluru. There are four fuel stations on the way to Uluru from Alice Springs, where you can stop to fill up the car tank. It is the center of the world, Uluru, … Select the right-sized van for your group. Do I need a two-wheel-drive or a four-wheel-drive vehicle? ... To make a Reservation call 1300 559 390 (within Australia) or email us info@uluru… First published in 2012, last updated in Jan 2021, Parks Australia February 15, 2012 @ I earn a commission from qualifying purchases as an Amazon Associate and on affiliate links. Soon after sunrise, the Uluru Culture Centre awaits you. It is 50 km away from the Yulara resort, but you must visit. There were three other campervans in the big campsite. What about a rental car for travelling to Uluru? I chatted with a man from Adelaide who have taken many commercial photos of this place. To sum it up, the total driving distance for a road trip to Uluru: This driving route is all on sealed roads. With 5 detailed itineraries, +40 customisation options, and +15 pages of sites, this is hands-down the best guide book you can find on the market. ð, Your email address will not be published. I got there just a few seconds before the sun came up over the horizon. The distance from Adelaide to Alice Springs is similar if you’re … The Melbourne to Ayers Rock (Uluru) drive is one of the best Australian road trips we have done as a family, the East Coast of Australia is a great drive, but the Aussie outback is even … Central Australia is expensive, and Uluru tends to be overly expensive. One of them had a group of annoying and inconsiderate guys playing the guitar and singing well past 11pm. They are the best tools for all my travels in Australia. I did do a short walk to the Mutitjulu Waterhole. Day 1: Alice Springs – Uluru (6 hours, 463km) We started our road trip not in Uluru but in Alice Springs. The road trip to Uluru is a pleasant and comfortable drive. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience. If driving directly, this would take around 34 hours, but this … Alice Springs is the principal city in Central Australia, about 440km to Uluru, along the Red Centre Way. All roads are sealed and in right conditions, with no detours on unsealed roads. To stay at Yulara Resort is expensive, so if you want to book the only budget Uluru accommodation (hostel), you must book at least 3-4 months ahead. The best way to enjoy the Kata Tjuta is taking the two main walks. While it’s not inexpensive, a treat with stunning views from the air will add extra value to your trip. Nicola shares her family road trip to Uluru with us – follow her on instagram at @njcmedia or at nicolaconville.com. Epic trip to Uluru - travelling with 3 kids. Driving to Uluru is an easy drive and belongs to the best road trip experiences of Australia. Once you have visited Uluru, you should plan your next day for a trip to Kata Tjuta. What was on that list was riding The Ghan, the famous train journey from Adelaide to Darwin. If you plan to go on the loop tour through the Western MacDonnell Ranges, the Kings Canyon and the Uluru, you need a 4WD car. The sand is bright orange, and there’s abundant vegetation (bushes and trees) everywhere for such an arid place. A couple of reasons for that. If you purchase a product through our affiliate partners links, I earn a small commission. Very detailed and informative. More information: But they have also proved to be based upon misconceptions, exaggeration and wrong information. Start your day at the Uluru-Kata Tjuta … Over the space of a week, the kids learnt about desert reptiles at Ayers Rock Resort’s Red Desert Reptile Show. Thanks for stopping by! 3:54 pm, I am glad you liked the article! As the sun went down, I drove back to the campsite and watched a movie on my laptop before falling asleep. What you need is to make yourself comfortable on the road. One of the highlights of Australia, I must confess that Uluru (Ayers Rock) wasn’t high on the my list of things to see around the world. 3:45 pm, Thanks Bhumi, hope these Uluru travel tips were useful for your adventure in Oz! This meant that for most of the time, the rock didn’t have the bright red glow that I had seen in so many photographs. Start early with your research and book your flights to Alice Springs, they are generally cheaper than flights to Ayers Rock (as Uluru is also known), these can be +500 dollars one way. About one hour before Uluru I arrived at Mount Conner Lookout. GET YOUR AUSTRALIA ITINERARY GUIDE BOOKAn Australia Book, with all planning elements to create a cost-effective travel plan. Your email address will not be published. discovercentralaustralia.com, the website for the visitor center in Alice Springs. We recommend booking your vehicles with our partner DriveNow. I have been there last year and I want to go and do camping there again. The road trip to Uluru is a pleasant and comfortable drive. I returned to the hostel totally exhausted, but very glad that to have done the journey to see such a special place. The entrance fee is 25 AUD for three days. These are my best tips for travelling to Uluru on a road trip in Australian Outback. Or you can plan it before going to Uluru. If you are a solo traveller and would like to join me in my Tours, enter your name and email address here below to get updates about the upcoming tours! On the way there I got my first glimpse of the famous rock. Road Trip to Magical Uluru. My plan was to stay at a free campsite about 40km before Uluru. Buy Your Australia Itinerary Guidebook. The national park does a very good job in providing paved roads, toilets, plenty of parking spots, and hiking trails to explore this wonder. Flights to Uluru are expensive from any Australian city. The ultimate Red Centre road trip Written by We Are Explorers A Red Centre road trip is a rite of passage for every Australian, and for most young people the adventure hovers in the lower sections of buckets … This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. This route is truly a fantastic driving route that allows you to experience the characteristics of Australia’s native aborigines, especially the heart of Australia. This was the plan my husband Tom and I concocted earlier this year when we decided we’d go on a roadtrip from Sydney to Uluru … rockytravel November 6, 2016 @ I then drove around the entire rock, looking at it from different angles. How did my Australia travel tips helped you? Since I only had three weeks in Australia and not enough time to go all the way to Darwin, I decided to just do half of the Ghan to Alice Springs, the gateway town to Uluru. As with the self-driving route, it would be best to divide this trip into smaller sections and stop at points of interest along the way, or at the very least spend a few days in Alice Springs before continuing to Uluru. Aside from that, the scenery was very pretty and unique. Great to hear you liked Oz, Gezi! I headed over to Kata Tjuta (Mount Olga) afterwards. The easiest and more relaxed way, especially for international travellers, is to drive on sealed roads from Alice to the Ayers Rock Resort. Beware that there is no chemistry at the Ayers Rock Resort, so if you need to take medicines or prescriptions, be sure you get it in Alice Springs before setting off to Uluru. READ: Doing a Road Trip from Melbourne to Uluru. The heat was also getting uncomfortable. This article shows you how to plan a road trip from Adelaide to Uluru, and to Darwin. by Jeannie Lapping (Sydney ) Hi, my husband is very optimistically driving us from Sydney to Uluru during the July holidays, starting on the 9th July for 3 … Start your journey at the Uluru-Kata Tjuta Cultural Centre. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. And you can do it in four-day-round-trip Alice Springs to Ayers Rock in a loop via Kings Canyon. Used by customers that want to research, plan and book any combination of accommodation, tours, activities and car hire. But that’s not good, because you will not see much. Whatever you plan, do it early in the morning as it gets scorching during the day. To get an insight into the indigenous culture and get a feel of this unique place, next to the fantastic visual light effect of the sunset and sunrise, there is much more you can do there. Uluru (Ayers Rock) I had seen the rock before, when I was in the travel business and took a “quick trip” to Australia, but it never fails to thrill. However, from anywhere in Australia it’s between 1.5 thousand km or longer.