coolgerald

Hey,
is it possible to do this itinery Alice Springs-Ayers Rock-Olgas-Kings Canyon-MacDonnel Ranges within 3 days, arriving noon at Alice Springs airport and departing around the same time three days later?
Would it be possible to do all this with a normal car? Would one then also be able to walk to places where one would be very much alone in the bush? Or would it be more advisable to rent a 4WD to go alittle more deeper into untouched areas?
Is sleeping in the car possible/ advisable?
This is part of a backpacker holiday.

Thanks!

LN

What time of year are you going?

There's accommodations for backpackers at Uluru.

Paul_S

Yes it is possible, to make a circuit of the trip hire a 4x4 and take the mereenie loop road from Kings Canyon.

You can do this with a normal car except the mereenie loop road which is 4x4 only. The only thing is that you may have to forget the Macdonnell ranges.

There are places to camp and you could get a 4x4 RV.

Cheers

Paul_S

marg

If you are prepared to stay on the bitumen, you can do all of this trip with a 2WD vehicle - we've done it several times. I'd recommend only going off-road if you are used to driving a 4WD and are prepared for any problems. If you intend to go into untouched areas, be aware that tourists get lost (and sometimes die) by going into areas where they can't cope with the climate and conditions. Also be aware that there is not a petrol station every few kilometres - every 200 km is more like it.
Three days will give you time to do Alice Springs/Ayers Rock/Olgas/Kings Canyon/Alice Springs but not the east and west Macdonnell Ranges, or to look around Alice itself.

coolgerald

hey,
thanks for all your replies.
The trip would be beginning of february.
I know, that there is backpacker accomodation at Uluru, however, is it allowed to just park the car somewhere off the road and sleep in it?
Is there any resource on the web that clearly shows me which areas are good for driving in a conventional car?

Thanks!

Janese

There is NO-WAY I would be out there in February. If you are from the USA think in terms of Death Valley heat. Every year a tourist dies in the outback because of either inadequate knowledge of the area, inadequate vehicle or lack of preparation. Nor would I think of parking off the road out there and sleeping in the car.
As someone else said, there are not petrol stations every mile or so and there is no water or any other facility within much range either.

marg

You could check out www.travelmate.com.au but we were in that area last year and I can tell you that the highway between Alice Springs and Erldunda is excellent. From Erldunda you turn off on the Lassiter Highway for Ayers Rock - road is bitumen all the way. To get to Kings Canyon from Ayers Rock, you need to backtrack towards Erldunda. The road to Kings Canyon turns off between Ayers Rock and Erldunda - again bitumen all the way. The roads around Ayers Rock/the Olgas are bitumen. Apart from that, all the roads are dirt and not suitable for 2WD vehicles. Do not be tempted to take a short-cut on a dirt road - if you breakdown or run out of petrol, you could be there for several hours.
Between Alice and Ayers Rock, there are three or four roadhouses which sell petrol, food and accommodation ranging from good to very basic. There are some rest areas which do not have any facilities (water or toilets). It will be HOT.
Whilst you are travelling, make sure you have lots of water in the car. If you intend to do some of the walks, do them very early in the day (like 6 am)and take water, hats and sunscreen.