julieinred

Planning our June 2010 trip to Australia and have one hitch in our plans...how to get from Alice Springs to Ayers Rock. We have a flight in from Darwin and would have connected in Alice Springs to Ayers Rock in the same ticket, but would end up with a 4 hour layover in Alice Springs. So, deciding to take the opportunity provided...we're staying over in Alice Springs but want to rent a car and drive ourselves to Ayers Rock to turn the typical 4-5 hour drive into a leisurely day trip. Any comments? Is this a good idea? The price for 1 way bus tours seems around 130AUD ( x 3 persons), whereas Priceline has a one day rental/one way for around 70US. With three, it seems like a no brainer unless there are major drawbacks to driving ourselves? Many thanks!

longhorn55

It's not difficult to drive yourself from Alice Springs to Uluru. I assume that your Priceline rental will be for a standard sedan (not 4WD) so you will need to drive the main roads--Stuart Highway to Lasseter Highway--which are paved and in good condition. I don't think you'd have time to take the cut-off to King's Canyon because you'll be traveling in winter and the sun sets early. You do not want to drive after dark because of the possibility of wildlife on the road. The only drawback to the drive is that the terrain is all pretty much the same and there aren't really a lot of places to stop along the way to make this a "leisurely day trip".

julieinred

I read (on this website) that the drive can be a bit monotonous; however, the husband loves to drive and is undaunted by different sides for roads and/or car wheels. If you're familiar w/ the drive...surely there must be things to see along the way? And, yes, I assume we'd only rent a standard sedan.

Peter_S_Aus

You'll be fine driving that distance. It is not boring – you get to experience the most amazing feeling of openness and space, the most enormous horizon. I’ve done that trip on a bicycle – trip report is here.
http://www.fodors.com/community/aust...-road-trip.cfm

Take a look at the shop selling Aboriginal art work at Mt Ebenezer roadhouse. It’s very special.

Bokhara2

Would your schedule allow for a stop over in Alice Springs & flying to Uluru the next day? Alice Springs is an interesting place itself, with plenty to see for a day & a half.

Alternatively, you could get a taxi out to the Desert Park & spend a couple of hours there, or take the hop on-hop off little bus and see some of the main attractions around the town.

There are things to see if you know where to look, (huge ant hills etc), and the terrain is pretty much the same for the total distance. There are mobs of camels, and the red earth is astonishing, which adds interest & novelty. Do take longhorn55 at his word, though - don't drive at dusk or later. You don't want to have that upfront & personal experience with our wildlife.

Take more water than you think you'll need; hat, sunscreen, Rid,Bushmens or some other tropical strenght insect repellent, and something to eat.

julieinred

I appreciate all the suggestions...my last time in Australia was spent between Sydney, Melbourne and Cairns. This time, we're trying to do a bit further afield. Bokhara2 I do have time to stay over in Alice Springs and think we will do so. This will give us time to heed Longhorn's advice and leave Alice Springs in the a.m. arriving into Ayers Rock before dark. I will definitely mark my map to look for the Aboriginal art work at Mt Ebenezer...this is the kind of thing that my husband loves...a leisure drive from A to B w/ short stops along the way. Re: Bokhara's comments on bug spray, etc...any other suggestions like this? This is such a great forum to be a part of. Thank you.

Bokhara2

Sorry Julie, missed your note about staying in Alice Springs.

I'm a huge fan of Alice Springs & Uluru and every now & again have a rave about them here There are recent posts from lots of people on these areas here - try the "Search the forums" at the top RHS
(I'm a bit of a luddite, don't know how to insert the link for you.)

The Desert Park is well worth a visit - you might like to do a nocturnal tour. http://www.alicespringsdesertpark.com.au/

If you leave Alice Springs early (sunrise & sunset are about 7:30 & 6pm in June), you would have time to go to Kings Canyon, if you wanted. Depending on how long you spent there, you could make Yulara by sundown. Just a thought.

The food options enroute aren't spectacular and next time we go, I'll buy an esky (polystyrene cooler bin)and thermos flask & raid the deli & fruit sections for some provisions. You can put a cheap picnic set together, have flexibility in where & when you eat - and probably eat better. There's a shopping centre & big Woolworths just behind Todd Mall. If you don't want/have time to chill cold blocks, you can buy bags of ice at service stations & pubs.

Re the insect repellent - I prefer roll on or lotions to the sprays. (The aim is to deter flies & mosquitoes - not suffocate myself in a mist of flyspray ) We have a few varieties, and the ingredient you need is DEET.

June evenings & early mornings will be cold, so make sure you take a sweater & jacket. It warms up quite quickly (desert climate) to a comfortable level. Probably 20-25c in June (70's F). Around Uluru (the rock), it is often quite breezy at these times, although it may be perfectly calm a few kms away.

If you can, do visit the Cultural Centre at Yulara before you go to Uluru (the rock). It has a wealth of information, interactive displays, and will enrich your experience of Uluru (Ayers Rock) and Kata Tjuta (The Olgas). You can also arrange to do a walk with one of the Aboriginal guides.

http://www.environment.gov.au/parks/uluru/index.html
http://www.atdw.com.au/publish.asp?g...uct_id=9000607

The "hitch" might just turn out to be a highlight!

julieinred

I agree that our flight "hitch" has turned in to a fun detour. We are putting all the details together and will confirm rental car and hotels within the next week or two. I appreciate your suggestion re: food along route. As fans of the bread and cheese picnic we'll be sure to hit the Todd Mall for the deli. What with all the airline security issues w/ liquids and the worry that it would break open in our suitcases, it sounds like we'll have no problem picking up bug repellant along the way. Many thanks for all your suggestions!