Amy

I plan to travel to Australia next July with at least one friend (although several others have expressed interest in the trip.) We've got 18-19 days altogether, including travel time from Philadelphia. I'd like to do this independently, but I don't drive and I don't expect that my friend will want to, as it will be her first time out of the US.

I like a nice mix of nature, history, culture, and cities; she's okay with just about anything, but neither of us are into shopping or nightlife. We're middle aged, not long distance hikers or mountain climbers or such but fine with a fair amount of walking.

I've been searching and reading this Forum and will continue to do so, but I've tentatively come up with what seems to be a reasonable use of our limited time and resources, but would love your input on how to make this better/more practical:

1. Probably get the Qantas Aussie Air Pass (ran about $1,000+ US for the zones we'd need this past July) for getting there and around)

2. Fly into Sydney, stay for five days at a self-catering apartment or B&B; go on daytrip to Blue Mountains

3. Fly to Alice Springs and stay two nights; go overland to Uluru (via Kings' Canyon?--I'm seeing a variety of tours for this route, of course, although most seem a bit pricey) and stay two nights there at...???

4. Fly Uluru to Cairns, stay five nights in Port Douglas, fly back to US from Cairns

I realize there's much more to Australia that I'd love to see, but what are your thoughts on that itinerary? Any thoughts or suggestions are gratefully received.

Bokhara2

I think you've chosen well,Amy. All of the places you're visiting will have a variety of tours you can take, using them as a base.

I've done a bus trip from Alice Springs to Uluru, with a stop at Kings Canyon, and enjoyed it enormously. We didn't overnight at Kings Canyon and if I did it again, I'd choose a tour that did, just to have the extra time there.

Enjoy!

Amy

Thanks, Bokhara! Do you have any specific Alice Springs and/or Ulura lodgings recommendations? From what I've been reading of Uluru, I know it'll be expensive. Or did the tour include accommodations there as well?

I'd love to hear any more input, particularly regarding comfy/budget travel. (That is, I'm fine with self-catering apartments, guesthouses with ensuite, or b&b, not so much with six-to-a-room hostels. Although the new Sydney YHA looks pretty cool.)

Bokhara2

Hi Amy, I stayed with friends in Alice Springs, so can't help there. The tour we did to Uluru included accommodation in permanent tents, so probably not what you're looking for. It was a small group tour and we only had one night at Uluru. Accommodation is expensive there and, from what I've heard, not especially good value for $. Voyages seem to be the principal operators at Uluru and there is a self catering property - Emu Walk, I think.

Alice Springs is a lot cheaper and has a wider range. I think you'd want to be reasonably close to Todd Mall - so probably Gregory Terrace, if you won't have a car there. There are two resorts on the opposite side of the river and I'm fairly sure they have shuttles into the town centre. You could certainly walk from the closer one, but it is a bit of a hike. And you wouldn't do it at night.

Have a look at www.wotif.com.au (search under NT & then Alice Springs and Uluru/Ayres Rock). Not all of the properties will be on wotif, but at least it gives you a start. There is a budget property, Desert Rose, that seems to have some good reviews. www.desertroseinn.com.au

As I said, I stayed with friends, and we didn't go to the casino, so unfortunately I can't give you any first hand advice at all on accommodation. Hopefully someone who can will chime in shortly.

Amy

Thanks so much for the info! Actually, I think I might enjoy the permanent tent for a night or two--just have to talk my friends into it. (I've stayed in Swazi rondevals and such and been tent camping here--although, come to think of it, I usually just stayed up all night on those...)

Wotif.com is great; am I right, though, that you book there pretty close to the time? I'm guessing July might be pretty busy in places like Uluru and Port Douglas? (and I'm assuming not as much in Sydney, due to weather, or am I off there?)

I'm really looking forward to this--after all, I've been home from South Africa almost a month now.

Bokhara2

Hi Amy,
I'm pretty sure this is the tour my niece & I took. http://www.adventuretours.com.au/red-centre-highlights/
There were about 17 people on it, of all ages & we and a couple from Melbourne were the only Australians. Thoroughly enjoyed it and had the 3 day safari option been available then, we would have certainly taken it. The food is, as I expected, plain & wholesome & plentiful but certainly not gourmet fare in the luxe South African safari style.