Hi. I am unsure which will be the best experience for the red center. Should we:
1. Rent a campervan and drive from Adelaide to Uluru - exploring other sights on our own and passing interesting places on the way (Coober Pedy, etc.)
2. Fly to Alice or Uluru and figure out from there
3. Join a tour
4. Other

Time and finance is not an issue- I just want the best experience as it is a once in a lifetime opportunity for us.
Thank you

A do it yourself drive would be the best idea and then you can stay in Coober Pedy for as long as you want. There are other sites worth stopping for and although it is vast and un populated there is still some very interesting geography en route.

I would go for option 1 - the vast spaces that stretch to the horizon are truly awe-inspiring, and should be experienced at ground level to be truly appreciated. The downside is that you have to drive across all that space, and it can get tedious.

Coober Pedy is worthwhile, IMO. Take a guided tour of the various sites, including the opal mine pits, underground churches, The Breakaways, the Dingo Fence, and the Moon Plain.

Thank you - I just rented the campervan. Does anyone know how we maintain the toilet? This may be a silly question, but we have never rented a camper van before. Thanks-

No idea!! but good on ya. Should you change your mind the Wayward Bus does a brilliant 8 day trip ADL to Alice taking in Flinders Ranges, Lake Eyre, Oodnadatta (sp), Coober Pedy.

Campervans with a fixed toilet have a holding tank. Once or twice a week, the holding tank needs to be drained and refilled with water. This can be done at most holiday or caravan parks. Smaller campervans with portable toilets require you to take the toilet out and drain it.

We found that our toilet lasted a long time because we rarely used it - only when we were far from any other facilities.

We've done this trip several times and really enjoyed it. You will find lots of free camping areas along the highway plus all the roadhouses have a caravan/camping area. Once you leave Port Augusta, the only supermarket is in Coober Pedy but you can usually get essentials at the roadhouses.
Two words of advice - don't drive at night as the highway is not fenced and cattle often sleep on the road at right, plus there are kangeroos and camels wandering around. The other advice is to watch for eagles - they feed on roadkill and as they are such big birds, they take off close to the ground and won't leave their meal until you are nearly onto them, and you certainly don't want an eagle through the windscreen.

I too, have done this trip and I absolutely loved The Breakaways and surrounding areas. We also visited Andamooka - a truly unique(?)place - it's amazing how the other half live really. The residents of Cooby Pedy and Andamooka will forever go down in my memory as ...well.... words are hard to find but... let's say..no I can't come up with one word.
Needless to say the people out there are great, fantastic, unique and I'm glad to say I've been there.