I'll be leaving in 48 hours for Australia and will start my visit at Uluru (Ayres Rock). I've been looking on line at tours and most say you must book 24 to 48 or more hours in advance.

Question: INSTEAD of taking a tour, has anyone just rented a car and driven to the site for a look??

Thanks!

Hi, simpsonc510!

I'm sure thousands of people just drive there every year, but I don't know how easy it is -- or economically feasible -- to just rent a car in, say, Sydney, and drive it all the way to the centre of Australia and back again! Most rental companies have restrictions about the kinds of roads they will allow their cars to drive on; and, anyway, the desert is not for new chums -- those intrepid people who do their own driving take a whole host of extra supplies (fan belts, gasoline, water cans) and read a book on precautions to take when your car overheats 150 km from the nearest gas station.

You may well find that if you flew to Alice Springs and hired there, the response would be much better. But this is quite an expensive proposition to start with, so I really think you should approach a couple of tour companies as soon as you arrive in Sydney and see whether you can get onto a tour leaving within forty-eight hours. You may find that the time restraint you mentioned is an advised one only, to assist the tour companies with their planning, and you will have no trouble.

Alan,
I may be wrong but I think Simpson is just referring to tours taking place at Uluru - not travelling from Sydney.

We rented a car at the Ayres Rock airport and did all of our own touring.
I think we rented from Hertz or Avis.

Most Australians going to Uluru do so independently, that is not with a tour. Driving around is extremely easy and you can visit Uluru, the Olgas and Kings Canyon. Would suggest you organise a car before you leave though. You don't say where you are actually flying into, there will be no problem getting one at Alice Springs airport. I haven't been since you can fly direct into Uluru so cannot say if you can pick up a car at the airport but would assume you can. I just had a quick look and saw that Hertz, Budget & Avis all have Uluru depots. Having a car for viewing the rock is also good in that it means you can park away from the hundreds of others who have just clambered off the tour buses and have a bit of peace and privacy to view the sunset. Whilst there, see if you can do the "Sounds of Silence" dinner one night. I really loved it. You are taken out into the middle of the desert and then served a wonderful BBQ dinner. After dinner an astonomer points out the various stars in the sky and tells you about the Aborginal dreamtime legends associated with them.

if you want to book one, there is still time.

there are 3-4 car rental companies when you get off the plane.

there is also a tour desk right next to them with tons of information. some tour companies are bound to have one spot open for you.

it is extremely easy to get around on your own to all of uluru- the road is flat the hikes clearly marked. you get a map when you pay your fee at the entry station.

having your own vehicle means you can actually watch sunrise/sunset wherever you choose and not with 200 other people next to you.

i think some sort of organized activity will allow you to appreciate our surroundings more. there is a morning ranger hike every single day that is open to all.

the anangu tours led by native aboriginals seemed to have openings as late as the same day- the morning hike is popular (they charge). otherwise, check with your hotel when you check in.

i came at noon and asked to be booked into a nighttime tour and there was no problem. the resort was about half full when i was there.

have fun and be prepared to ditch your footwear afterwards-lots of dust!

Simpson,

Go it alone!.

We picked upa Budget rental in Alice Springs , drove to spectacular King's Canyon via Stuart's Well where we saw Dinky, the world famous singing and piano playing dingo. We spent the night at King's Canyon, listened to a ranger talk. We hiked the canyon early the next AM. Drove over to Uluru, poked about went out to see the sunset. Early next AM drove out to the Olgas and did the glorious Valley of the Winds walk and then spent some time at the beautiful Visitor's Center .

Got up early the next AM to walk around Uluru and caught an early afternoon plane to Sydney.

Piece of cake.

AndrewDavid

Sorry I didn't clarify things very well, folks. LOL

We fly into Ayres Rock (arriving this Saturday) and will only stay for 2 nights. I've been there, done that, on another trip to OZ (this is my 6th) but did it with a 13-day outback tour and had a SUPER time traveling from Alice to Darwin with 43 Aussies.

The friend traveling with me wants to "see" Ayres Rock, so that's why the short stop only. I don't know if time or weather will permit her to try the climb (I didn't make it to the top myself... LOL)

In any case, my question is still the same, and your replies have told me that we can probably do just that. We may check for any tour openings first though. The Sounds of Silence sounds really cool. I read about that one on line.

I appreciate all the replies. Thanks everyone.

Carol

Sorry, Carol, I didn't really understand the question the first time around, and got the idea you were thinking of driving a thousand kilometres. The advice you have received above (other than my own!) is excellent... go for it!

Alan,
Believe it or not, friends from my own small town here in the midwest USA DID do a very long drive across OZ from Alice to the northwest (is it Broome?). This was shortly after I had made my 3rd trip to OZ. I asked them if they had ANY IDEA what they were in for. They said yes, and were happy to get in the 4WD and go. They had a great time, but saw very FEW vehicles along their way. They plan to do another long outback drive in 2005, something like Darwin to Perth. I can't imagine such a journey, and I though I was adventurous!

Anyway, thanks for all the posts on my question. I'll try to post, either along the way, or after the 3-week trip to let everyone know how it goes.

Carol

I'll bet they saw very few of ANYTHING along the way! But it would be an interesting adventure. Midwesterners are funny people, aren't they?

Carol, we will be looking forward to your report. Godspeed!