Mab85

Hi all - I'm going on an Auckland>Sydney cruise in mid-March and staying on in Australia for another 8 or 9 days after that. I was thinking of doing four days in Sydney, but I also want to see Uluru and the GBR. Do you think that's feasible, if I do one day/night in Uluru and then head to Cairns? What's the best way of doing that? Thanks, I'm very green.

DownUnder

Thats feasible and flying is the only way. I think Qantas is the only airline with direct flights Sydney/Uluru but check this site for flights and costs. www.webjet.com.au
I would also suggest 3 days Sydney 2 nights Uluru and the rest GBR as travel will be time consuming.

Mab85

Thank you! I have a lot of reading to do on the GBR now.

johnathome

I'm planning a trip right now but in reverse (Cairns to Ayers Rock to Sydney). Qantas flies direct non-stops btwn Cairns, Ayers Rock and Sydney so flights shouldnt be a problem. You can try to do Uluru in one night but will be tough. Depending on day of week, there may only be one flight from SYD to AYR and gets in the afternoon. Still will give you time to do a tour that afternoon. There is a flight from AYR to CNS that leaves in the late afternoon so you can probably do another tour in the morning in Uluru. 2 nights will give you a little more time but depends on your pace.

Mab85

Yeah, I'm thinking we'll probably just come in in the morning, maybe walk around a bit (my dad's definitely not a hiker) and mostly just photograph the rock. I'll probably take a tour around the base. The flight leaves the next afternoon, as you said, so that allows us a leisurely morning and then we'll go to the airport. Thanks and enjoy your trip!

Bokhara2

mab85,
When you arrive at Uluru, do go to the Cultural Centre first stop
http://www.environment.gov.au/parks/...al-centre.html
It will give you a wonderful insight into the people & area you're visiting. Also, you can arrange to have a guided tour by an Aboriginal group.Details on the website, and/or google "Aboriginal tours - Uluru".

You may be advised to book this in advance as you only have 1 1/2 days.

Your Dad can walk around the Rock, it's about 10km and takes about 3 hours. All flat walking. If you go just before sunrise you will see some stunning colours as the various faces of the rock are lit.
Take a coat - it can be quite cold and windy early mornings and evenings.

anita63

We did Sydney-Ayers Rock-Cairns/GBR this past March in about the same amount of time you are speaking of. (I have a trip report somewhere in here).

I was glad to have spent only 1 night in AR. Getting out of AR to Cairns took pretty much the whole day.

Were you planning on SCUBA diving the GBR, because I would highly recommend looking at a live-a-board.