First time to Australia - Ayer's Rock?

Old Mar 26th, 2004, 06:13 AM
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First time to Australia - Ayer's Rock?

Is this really a must do? I'm not sure I understand the appeal and it seems like a lot of time and expense to get out there and back....
Is it worth it for a first Aussie trip (with somewhere between 2 or 3 weeks in the country)?
Thanks!
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Old Mar 26th, 2004, 07:30 AM
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It depends on what you like. For me, it is a definite must do. If you are more into urban tourism (as opposed to natural features), then it probably isn't worth the time and expense. In my opinion, though, there is little that can compare to watching the sunset illuminate Uluru.
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Old Mar 26th, 2004, 08:14 AM
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I actually like both urban and natural activities. In my very preliminary idea gathering, I thought Kakadu/Darwin area sounded like a better fit for me. (K.I. or Tasmania sounded great too, but the trip's in July)
But going out to Uluru seems to be on everyone's itinerary and I'm just left wondering why? Would I be missing something by not going?
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Old Mar 26th, 2004, 08:40 AM
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No, imho. I'm not unhappy I saw it but it is just a big red monolith which does'nt have much, if any cultural significance, to most Australians. We spent approx 2500 AUD for airfares, accom, car hire & food for our 6 day trip last year. Everything is pretty pricey in the desert. Don't miss Litchfield Park in NT-Kakadu in miniature and far easier to get to. Darwin is unimpressive imho so here you have a situation of spending a lot of money just to see one or two sites. Catch 22. Tassie & KI would be freezing. Broome and the Kimberley is worth spending the dosh. Fly up to Cape Leveque and stay at the Kooljaman Camp. A unique Aussie experience run by indigenous people. Good luck.
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Old Mar 26th, 2004, 11:59 AM
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pb-and-j

We made the decision not to go to Uluru and chose Tasmania instead. As another said, it depends on what you like. For us we felt it was too much time, too far, too expensive for what we thought we would get out of it. National Geographic and other media have done such a good job of photographing and writing about it we felt we could forgo it.

Our last two trips were on tours and it's interesting how most general tours go to most places. For example, last year in China we did not go on the Yantze cruise which is on almost everyone's itinerary. We chose instead land travel to see more of the country, the people.

So you will have to decide on what's important to you. Uluru was not when we looked at the time and budget we have. I asked the question on this forum of Australians what they thought were the 10 best things to see in their country. You can find this by looking under "michi"

we leave in less than a week and we're happy with our itinerary. don't go to uluru just beause everyone else seems to go there. go because you want to be there.

have fun.
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Old Mar 26th, 2004, 01:19 PM
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In my opinion it is not a must do. There are many things that we will not get to see in this life. It is an expense that I'm not sure is worth it. There are many things that I've seen in my travels that stay with me and that I enjoy sharing. Ayers Rock sadly, is not one of them. You won't miss much. There is so much else that Australia has to offer that will be much more worthwhile as well as memorable.
John
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Old Mar 26th, 2004, 04:30 PM
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I agree with John that it is not a "must do" in terms of what else is available in Australia. It probably would rank about the area of " well I have been everywhere else, is anything left to see?"
The Bungle Bungles in West Australia have much more to offer as does that entire area and it is bigger and more diverse too. There is also another monolith there that is about 7 times the size of Ayres Rock anyway. However that too is an expensive side trip. Let us know what you do like to do and what you would like to see and we can hopefully you out there. As you are coming in our winter time I would spend most of that in the north of the country where you will be able to get a taste of rain-forest, reef and outback if you so want.
I have said on another post that one of the most interesting things to do is take a boat up from Cairns in and around the coral cays and islands, reef etc and spend your time there. If you would like a bit of outback travel then either take a trip to Lawn Hill National Park or Carnarvon National park - both will give you a particularly interesting view of something entirely different.
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Old Mar 26th, 2004, 10:31 PM
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I have to agree with ALF that I think Uluru is well worth seeing along with the Olgas which are in the same general area. I know that some people describe it simply as a big rock sitting out in the middle of nowhere, however we thought it was an amazing site and the changing colors with the different lighting from sunrise to sunset was quite stunning. Also the cultural aspects were of interest to us.

We covered a large portion of the eastern half of Australia during that trip and will be returning this May to explore the western half of the country. It's been 7 years since we have visited and I can still recall the impressive site of Uluru. I guess it does depend on personal preferences and individual interests.

Either way I am sure you will have a wonderful time as Australia is a very diverse country with lots to offer travellers and the Aussies are very friendly and hospitable as well.
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Old Mar 27th, 2004, 09:52 AM
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This is a decision only you can make.

While we were there we took the plane out to Uluru and, basically, spent a bundle. If I knew then what I know now I would not have gone.

It is spectacular to see the sun rise and the sun set at Uluru. It is also something to see all the color changes that occur during sunset. But it was one single sight to see whereas there were many at each other stop.

Then again it's only my opinion.
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Old Mar 27th, 2004, 03:21 PM
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It's a highly individual decision. Very simply put, if you don't have a strong desire to go see Uluru, then don't. For me, seeing the outback was an essential part of a first visit to Australia. (We were in the country three weeks total by the way.) And the outback was indeed one of my favorite and most memorable parts of the trip (although there was some tough competition from both Sydney and the Great Barrier Reef!) I just couldn't imagine travelling all the way to Australia and not seeing the outback. But many people do not feel that way and happily visit Australia without Uluru. By the way, Uluru is only a small part of the attraction of the outback. Just as interesting are the Olgas and some of the attractions in the Alice Springs area. We actually spent a total of five nights in the Red Center, and most of this time did not involve Uluru.
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Old Mar 29th, 2004, 07:21 AM
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Thanks for the replies! It gives me more to think about...
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Old Mar 29th, 2004, 12:33 PM
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Here is just a little more to think about:
When I am asked about Ayers Rock and that area my an American I ask them if they have been to the Grand Canyon and around the Sedona area in Arizona - if the answer is yes, then I think they will be disappointed with Ayers Rock etc, if not then I suggest that there is a fantastic destination on their doorstep that outshines Ayers Rock by a country mile. That is my honest opinion and not one that the Australian tourist board would like to hear but I would rather tell it like I see it than have disappointed tourists. I think that as far as the "outback" in Australia goes there are other places which do stack up in appeal because they offer a broader experience and one that is unique.
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Old Mar 29th, 2004, 02:53 PM
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HI LizF,

Your first sentence sure does give me something to think about.

I agree with you 100%, I have been to Sedona and the Grand Canyon and they do out shine anything here in the centre of Australia. Sedona is very similar to Alice except Sedona is a much nicer place imho. The Grand Canyon, Bryce Canyon, and the painted desert leave the Ayres Rock region as a distant poor cousin.

Cheers

Paul_S
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Old Mar 30th, 2004, 06:11 PM
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Hi PB & J (love that moniker)...

I agree with the other postings; it IS a subjective / personal thing whether or not to go.

I have many clients who feel that they have not "done" Australia unless they visit Ayers. I'm never sure if this is a personal preference or something they've heard so much they feel they HAVE to see it; so I have to question them further about their choice. It varies from individual to indivdual.

As posted here, many times it comes down to where they are from in the US. This is applicable to almost every place in the world people want to travel -- if I send Californians along the Great Ocean Road they might tell me that the drive to Big Sur is better. If it's somebody from Kansas, they're thrilled because they've never seen anything like it.

Some people would say "I spent "$800" to travel to see a big rock in the middle of nowhere?" And others would say "this was the highlight of my trip". You just have to decide which of category you fall into.

Hope this is helpful!

Regards,

Melodie
Certified Aussie Specialist
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Old Mar 31st, 2004, 08:55 AM
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I didn't do it on my trip out to Australia ... and frankly I am not disappointed. The more I thought about a day (at least) out and a day (at least) back, and then a day to "see" a stone formation the less I wanted to go. A lot of time and a lot of money, neither of which I could afford to waste this time around.

Better value for dollar, if you ask me, would be to catch one of the "Play Postie for a Day" flights run by Cape York Air out of Cairns. There are 5 different flights each week. They aren't cheap ...well, unless you compare them to getting out to Uluru/Ayers Rock. They are, however, a great way to get to see some of the REAL outback. These are weekly postal runs out to cattle stations and small towns aboard a small plane. The short Tuesday trip (which I took) will have you back in Cairns by noon. Longer trips will have you home by dinner. The pilot I flew with was great, and I learned a lot about the history of the place as well as learning a bit about flying.
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Old Jul 16th, 2004, 12:02 PM
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Five posts from the top, Michi mentions a previous post where you guys gave her the "ten best things" to do in Australia. I cannot find it under "michi" If someone could direct me to the thread, I'd sure appreciate it.

Thanks,
 
Old Jul 17th, 2004, 10:49 AM
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Michi sent me the thread. Thanks,

However, a question relative to Ayers Rock I have not seen answered. Does this area give one a true experience of seeing how the Aborigine folks live?

Thanks,
 
Old Jul 17th, 2004, 10:52 AM
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New at this and forgot the important part of the question. If it does not represent a good experience of Aborigine life, where does one go?
 
Old Jul 18th, 2004, 12:05 AM
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Hi Denny,

In short no Ayres Rock does not show the aboriginal way of life. There are very few aboriginal communities left who still practise the old way of life, if any.

The closest you would get to seeing aboriginal way of life would be to visit one of the remote communities in Arnhem land, however these are closed communities and you can only go there if you are invited in and have the relevant permit to travel into those regions.

Cheers

Paul_S
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Old Jul 18th, 2004, 12:11 PM
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Visitors are welcome at Yarrabah Aboriginal Community, 37km south of Cairns city. Yarrabah has a small website.
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