Uluru Tips Please!
 

My partner and I are spending two nights and one full day at Uluru in December. We're budgeting our way around Oz but would like to make the most of our time at Uluru with a sunrise guided tour of the Rock, preferably by an ethical Ananga-owned company.

We won't have transport there but how easy would it be to explore other areas independently? For example, are there any decent walks easily accessible from the Resort where we'll be camping? Would it be possible to get a lift to and from Kata Tjuta and explore on our own?

Any itinterary tips and info re transportation and guided tours would be really appreciated.

Thanks!

At the Ulura/Kata Tjuta Cultural Centre, you can book a 'Mutijulu Walk' with an Anangu guide. This was a very interesting walk, and we learned a lot about the Rock and local culture.

There is a shuttle, called, 'Uluru Express' that will take you from Ayers Rock Resort (Yulara) out to Kata Tjuta. From there, you can hike the classic 'Valley of the Winds' trail through the rocky heart of the area. One thing to consider is purchasing a transpo package from Uluru Express, which includes the Park entry fee and a multi-day pass to ride the shuttle.

Alternatively, you could try hitch-hiking. We took hitch-hikers both ways when we last drove out to Kata Tjuta and back.

Within the resort complex itself, there is a free shuttle bus. This will be good to go places from the campground, which is not that close to Uluru itself, or the rest of Yulara. There is not that much that you can easily walk to from the campground, except an Uluru viewpoint atop a small rise.

Thanks very much, this is really useful info and not in my (clearly rubbish) guidebook!

I would recommend renting a car. Then you could go to sunrise, sunset, ranger-led talks, the cultural center, etc. whenever you want and not have to depend on the bus schedule. That way you could maximize your limited time there. I hope you get a good sunrise/sunset! We only got one magical sunset out of three nights and the sunrise was not colorful. Whatever you get, the rock is wonderful. The stars out there are fantastic! The Ananga led Liru Walk (at 0830)that we went on was very educational and interesting.
Sally in Seattle

Thanks Sally. We hadn't thought of hiring a car but now we've looked into it it's not that expensive. BUT does anyone know how much petrol costs at Yulara? Will we end up paying as much as the car!

Also, has anyone been on the free Ranger tours? Are they as good as a (paying)guided tour?

Thanks, HVH

we went on one ranger-led tour (I forget the name but it started at the climbing place and went from there). It was very interesting and lots of information. The car we had in Yulara took diesel fuel, less expensive than regular then, but I don't know now.
Cheers,
Sally in HOT (over 100, can you believe it) Seattle

The ranger walk travels about 600 metres (1/2 mile) along one side of Uluru - it was interesting but I needed to see all of uluru. I opted to pay for a guided walk around of Uluru and then do Kata Tjuta by myself. I did the uluru Walk with discovery Ecotours australia. cost about $110 but it was brilliant. We walked all the way around at sunrise - about 10km (6 mile), heard all the aborogianl stories and learnt all the science like geology as well. what ever you do, you will love it. the aboroginal guided tours there are called Anangu Tours and they do tours as well I think but not all the way around. hope this helps