Amy

tuchas off?

Looks like I'll be planning a trip of about 18 days to Sydney, Red Center, and Port Douglas for July of next year. I think I want an apartment or b&b in Sydney, then on to Alice Springs and out to King's Canyon and Uluru from there. I kinda fell in love with this Alice Springs to Uluru to King's Canyon to Alice Springs itinerary from WayOutback Tours, partly because staying in the Uluru hotels looks to be depressingly expensive for what they are, and partly because, well, it's just lyrical descriptively: http://www.wayoutback.com.au/getdoc/...Itinerary.aspx

But realistically, have any of you done something similar at that time of year? It's not that I'm a total comfort freak; I was just in Swaziland in an open rondeval for three nights, but I had a lovely hot water bottle and scads of covers.

kiwi_rob

Hi, Amy.

We were at Uluru at that time of year (not camping, though), and when we went out for the watchthesunriseandhavefreshdamperwithgoldensyrupan dbillytea experience, it was freezing. Make sure that you wrap those tender bits well!

The damper with g s and billy tea went down well.

Rob.

RalphR

My wife and I did a camping tour of the Kimberly region of NW Australia in August, sleeping out under the stars. Chilly at night yes, but we had warm bed rolls, and I will never forget our glorious view of the brilliant Southern Night Sky. Also took a camper out to Uluru a couple of years later, in July. Again, chilly at night but no big deal, having warm blankets at hand.

I say go for it...camping is THE BEST way to experience the Outback.

kiwi_rob

On the same trip, we did a camping tour in the Kakadu before going to Uluru. There was no comprison between the two so far night temperatures were concerned. Uluru was much colder. I guess that it varies from year to year, though. Just be prepared for a bit of cold.

Either way, I agree with Ralph that the camping experience is fantastic. The vast, uncluttered vistas are amazing. Do a bit of study of the Southern Hemisphere sky before you travel. You will never have a better chance to view the main constellations. A decent pair of binoculars is useful.

Bokhara2

Hi Amy, it will be cold, but you can rent a sleeping bag from the tour company - ask them for an extra warm one! You'll have a wonderful experience for your memory bank. Make sure you take a warm windcheater - it can be quite windy around Uluru early mornings & evenings ... and cold, even in summer.
Good choice - please let us know how it goes when you get home.

Amy

Thanks, everyone! I might have to do a bit of fancy convincing to my travel buddies--or maybe find an optional more, um, traditional kind of tour for them for Uluru--but I really, really want to do this. I'm all set with my lightweight traveling insulated jacket and my binocs--both bought new for my last trip (South Africa at night and at 5AM is also mighty cold in July!)

Any good recommendations for Alice Springs lodging? I'm guessing we'd be there 1-2 nights before and after and would need to leave the main luggage at the hotel in Alice. We won't be driving--I realize that may make a difference in where to stay?

Peter_S_Aus

Hi Amy,
I camped out in Central Aus in July as part of an insane round Australia a cycling trip. There’s trip report in the making on the Australia forum. I had a decent down sleeping bag – what one might call a “two and a half season” bag, and a small tent. I was sleeping on an air mattress on the ground. I was not cold at night, but the mornings could be chilly.

Accommodation in Alice Springs – I’d recommend the Youth Hostel there. It’s built on the site of a former open air cinema, and is well equipped, kitchen, etc. The rooms have four bunk type beds, and it’s easy walking distance to the centre of town. You would need to book in advance – it is busy at that time of year.

Camping is the best way to go.

Amy

Thanks, Peter! (I'm really enjoying your trip report, by the way.) I think I'm going to go for the camping, even if my friends don't--we're not attached at the hip or anything, after all.

Does the Alice Springs Youth Hostel go by another name? I wasn't having too good of luck with just googling for "alice springs youth hostel"--all kinds of things came up.

(I can't believe I'm planning a trip now for almost a year away, but it's exciting. Especially compared to the paperwork I'm also doing.)

Peter_S_Aus

Amy, try:
http://www.yha.com.au/hostels/detail...2d48136d366360

Cheers

Peter

Amy

Thank you kindly!

That does look like a nifty little spot.

Bokhara2

Good for you, Amy. I was hoping you wouldn't give up the chance to sleep under the stars, just because your friends aren't up for it.

Peter_S_Aus

There is some mob who do trips from Sydney to Ularu, camping. A 20 seater bus, a bunch of tents, stove built into the back of the bus. I ran into them on my bike trip when I camped in Hay, and the people running it were fun - and seemed most competent too. (Long trip repoprt refers) I think it was a three day drive from Sydney to Ularu, but I'm not sure - Hay was their first night out of Sydney. I do know that they arrive at Ularu as dawn breaks over the Rock, and that's very special.

People always say that the distances in Aus are too big to drive, but I see it another way. I don’t think you can know the vastness of Aus without doing some of it on the ground. It would be like going to the Sahara and not getting hot, or Antarctica and not feeling the cold.

Maybe I just like motoring – but I do find there is something special about barrelling down the open road with not another car in sight.

I remember on one mad driving trip to Ularu a few years ago, driving out of Port Augusta. The road forks and the sign post reads:
Darwin – 2500 km (or something)
Perth - 2000 km.

We took the road to Darwin. (Miles to go before ...)

kiwi_rob

And just imagine driving on Outback roads where there are NO speed restrictions.

Bokhara2

"Maybe I just like motoring – but I do find there is something special about barrelling down the open road with not another car in sight."

I do too Peter; love the open plains - and the drive Alice Springs to Uluru is, I think, a good way of experiencing the vastness and colour for a tourist, without spending precious days when they only have 14 or so. Contrasting that with the Pacific Highway north from Sydney, there's scant chance of barrelling or absence of other cars just now, with 80km roadworks zones seemingly half the way from here to Coffs.

I guess the decision for people boils down to whether it's the journey or the destination which is most important to them,as our distances & driving times are so much greater than they imagine in most instances.

I did a night drive Adelaide - Melboune a couple of years ago and had a great run from Murray Bridge to Bordertown. Pitch black night, lots of stars - nary another vehicle. Stopped a couple of times just for the sheer pleasure of standing in a paddock looking up at the milky way in the velvety blackness,only the little insects & the ground shrinking in the cooling night to break the silence.

Reminds me of Tim Storrier's painting, "The Night Run" http://www.artloft.com.au/artists/Tim_Storrier/