Thanks, that helped me settle on taking their 3-night stay offer that ended on September 4th or 5th. Lost Camel, zipper king and small room, but I like that it is closest to the shops and stuff.

I booked airline tickets before the hotel. Award tix to/from Alice Springs. Then the resort confo email said pickup at Ayres Rock Airport! Cancelled/refunded the ASP tix and booked Jetstar for AYQ. There is a cancellation fee, but the remaining credit is good for three years and can be used for Jetstar Japan flights, so might not lose all if I don't go.

Business class American Airlines AAward tix for MEL->LAX on Nov 7th and 8th became available a couple of days ago for 80K miles. Connection in SYD and then nonstop. On Nov 8 there are multiple business class tickets on AA nonstop SYD-> LAX for only 65K miles and one first class seat for only 75,000 miles. Those dates don't work for me but may work for you if you have AA miles.

LAX->SYD nonstop Oct 22 and 23 for 87K miles in business class or on 23rd for first class at 97K. So, it would be possible to book premium award seats for the MC at the last minute for a 16–18-day trip to Oz at a good price in AA miles.

For now, LAX->SYD flights after Nov 8th are at least 225K miles for the rest of the year. Economy at 40K is always available, each way.

With Qantas miles it would be 108K miles on the 7th or 700K miles on the 8th for SYD-> LAX on AA.

There would probably be seats to/from other US airports, connecting at LAX, for the same number of miles.

Jetstar from the Rock to Mel was delayed for 5 hours
Grand Hyatt is much nicer than Hilton lqa

Haven't stayed at the Hilton but know the Grand Hyatt well & you're right - it's a great hotel.