Ayers Rock / Uluru - not open for Aussies??

[jetkins]

I've been fortunate enough to have visited "The Rock" twice under very different circumstances. The first was when my parents and I rented a campervan and drove a lap of the western half of Australia back in 1988. That was before before any permanent accommodations were available, and we stayed in a powered caravan site in the camping ground made famous by a certain dingo. This was also before the area was handed back to the indigenous owners, and there was no visible mention of their cultural sensitivities, so on one of those three days I joined the then-constant stream of tourists making "the climb". Despite it being a beautiful, clear, spring day, it was surprisingly chilly once you got to the top of the chain, some 350m above the surrounding plains. Also surprising was the amount of vegetation up there - it's not just a barren lump of rock as it appears from ground level.

And that view.

(That's Kata Tjuta in the background, some 30km away)

My second visit was about five years ago, while my wife and I were visiting some friends living at Alice Springs. We took a coach day trip from The Alice, and while it was perfectly lovely as coach tours go, they run on quite a tight schedule, so there was only enough time to whet your appetite at each of the stops they made. That said, if you are in the area and only have a day, or are on a budget, then it's a perfectly OK way to get a taste of the area. But a taste is really all it is. Oh, and if the climb is open on the day, they do offer the culturally-insensitive the option of being dropped off to make the climb while the rest of the bus continues on the regular tour.

 

[justin23]

I do agree that even for remoteness its really expensive. I've wanted to go for a long time, but whenever I do the sums a long weekend at uluru costs more than a week or two just about anywhere else. I'm not one to usually complain about things where I can see the money is put to good use. I'm going to Petra in May and the cost of admission is ~$100. I haven't blinked at that cost (Many I know would think its a ripoff because they can go to a themepark for less!) because I know the money goes towards the restoration and maintenance of the site. Uluru I'm not really sure where the money goes and in some case I'm sure someone is making a lot of money and its not going towards the locals or to preserve the region.

I'm far more likely to visit say Norfolk or Lord Howe island over Uluru. It probably is worth the money, but while ever I can find amazing natural and historic sites in other countries for a much more reasonable cost I'll visits them first. By reasonable I mean compared to the costs of that country in general.

 

[coco50]

You can still climb the rock, but it's strongly discouraged. They will close the climb under certain weather conditions (eg too wet or too hot).

It is also a mark of respect to the traditional custodians not to climb the rock

 

[sanach]

I went to Alice Springs & Uluru last August. A friend had taken a job as a tour guide there and she offered for me to be her “private client” and I paid the bills. Air fare for one Brisb/Alice return $680. We did 3 nights 4 days and drove from Alice to Uluru, Kings Canyon then back to Alice along the dirt road stopping at the many canyons on the way. RAV4 hire Car $274 + $46 insurance. Hotels twin room - Uluru $260 (friend agreed it was a rip off), Kings Creek $153, Glen Helen $177. Evening meals for 2 around $100.

We chose not to do the limited walk up Uluru, but walked around it and my friend surprised me with champagne watching the sunset. Kings Canyon is amazing and you must do the walk.

We did a star gazing night watch which was expensive at $85 each, but well worth it. The kids would love it as we actually got to see Saturn and its rings. I loved the whole trip and having a very knowledgeable guide made it so much more interesting.

I don’t know if you think this was expensive, but fore me it was so worthwhile. Hope this is helpful. Sandra

 

[coco50]

My wife and I went there six years ago as part of a round Australia trip. Although we are age pensioners, we didn't find it too expensive. We flew to Uluru from Sydney and stayed the the Lost Camel? and took two tours - one to Uluru and another to explore the Olgas. I glad we did it. Remember that sometimes you have to put out if you want a return from an experience!

 

[juddles]

...- it's not just a barren lump of rock as it appears from ground level....

Beautiful photos jetkins - thank you!

 

[ginger01]

There was a backpackers lodge across from the Four Seasons Hotel - has the member checked that out? Alternatively, stay in Alice and rent a car to go out to the rock.

 

[RB]

Don't forget to get up for sunrise

 

[drron]

I've been fortunate enough to have visited "The Rock" twice under very different circumstances. The first was when my parents and I rented a campervan and drove a lap of the western half of Australia back in 1988. That was before before any permanent accommodations were available, and we stayed in a powered caravan site in the camping ground made famous by a certain dingo. This was also before the area was handed back to the indigenous owners, and there was no visible mention of their cultural sensitivities, so on one of those three days I joined the then-constant stream of tourists making "the climb".

We went to Uluru before 1988 and we camped under the stars-5 of them.it was then called the Sheraton Ayers Rock.At the Sheraton Alice Springs we had the room next to Meryl Streep who was here for the filming of Evil Angels.
There had been motels virtually right at the "Rock" until 1984.They closed when the Yulara resort opened.
Uluru was returned to the indigenous owners at the end of 1985 on condition it was leased back to National Parks on a 99 year lease.
My son and I also climbed Ayers Rock then.We also though walked around the rock with indigenous guides.

 

[UP4014]

Will get there one day.

So far this will have to do.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/15264656@N02/5852275485/in/set-72157624589171835


Or there is this one....haha

https://www.flickr.com/photos/15264656@N02/6678562347/in/set-72157625687811667

 

[karen blancfield]

If you need any help, I'm an Alice Springs local and can do some checking out for you. Remember we get to zero degrees at night in winter so keep that in mind. Lots of useful advice already given on this page.

 

[love_the_life]

If i went all that distance I would be climbing the friggin rock!!

But yes, for a hot, dusty experience that sounds like a lot of money, is there camping or something there, or a day trip tour out of Alice Springs??

Climbing the rock is discouraged for a number of reasons including risk to climbers, risk to the Parks staff who would have to rescue them and the cultural significance of Uluru to the Anangu people. For me, this last one would over ride all the others. A bit like someone choosing to go skateboarding inside the Vatican, it would be grossly disrespectful.
I was disappointed to see people still climbing when we were there in August last year but until it is banned altogether there will be some who choose to ignore protocols.
In terms of getting there & staying there, its very location means that it will be expensive in the main. Think of the infrastructure that must be maintained, the services that need to be provided and even the food that must be flown in.
On the flights though we got cheap Jetstar ones from Sydney (about $199 pp each way) so that was certainly not expensive.
IMO it is not 'not open for Australians', just the cost reflects both the demand from all over and the extra costs involved to provide what tourists want. Some of the places I've been to in the Kimberly and Pilbara are equally if not more expensive, in some cases because of the mining demand there.
It was an amazing experience but if the OP thinks it is not worth it this time, there are plenty of other authentic Australian places to visit on this trip and save Uluru - Kata Tjuta for another time.

For information on Park management the Dept of Environment has some information here

 

[love_the_life]

And I can't help adding my few pics to show just what a special place it is


The moon rose right on cue




And Kata Tjuta

 

[ozcos]

Also looking for some advice...

I'm going here in Feb. I have been way back when I was in High School and we drove there from South Australia and stayed in a tent in the caravan park (amid a mouse plague by the way!). I will never forget the experience - driving long the road and seeing Uluru appear in front of you, sunrise, sunset, and dare I say climbing the rock through the clouds and seeing the Ulga's poke through clouds reaching for the sun.

Now, for my new trip. Older and wiser, this time I'll be flying and have already booked accommodation at Sails in the Desert. Planing Dinner at Sounds of Silence the first night.

Looking for advice re: the rest of the trip. Looking online, it appears like the only way to do things is to pay exorbitant rates for a tour bus to pick us up each day and take us somewhere. Car hire is $200+ per night. Is there any way to explore and enjoy the sights without being on a tour? Is it just as good, or is there real value in doing the tours? And, can I do anything without a tour / without a car? (e.g.: Shuttle / bus to the rock, then spend our own time walking around it, then bus back?)

Hope to hear some experiences... as I said by searching online, it really seems like booking a tour each morning / night is the only way to go, but surely the is not the only way.

 

[love_the_life]

We did not do any tours except a free ranger guided one at the rock. You did not say how long you are staying but if for only a few days you do not need a big 4WD to get around - a small car is fine as the places you are likely to visit (Uluru & Kata Tjuta) are all on sealed roads. On the Avis site jus now a smaller car with excess reduction is about $100 per day which is not bad. If you have annual travel insurance you can remove the excess anyway as it is covered. We found plenty to do for three days without being on a tour and with a medium sized car - Uluru several times, Kata Tjuta.
I can't give any advice on shuttles etc - from memory did not see any free/cheap ones but could easily be mistaken as I wasn't looking out for them. I know there are some shuttle services as tours but about $60+ per head).The resort has some free activities each day as well. Remember there is also a park entrance to be paid. The three day pass is $25 pp.

 

[Flying mermaid]

This thread is part seeking advice, part just a complaint.
I work overseas, and have a midyear trip back in the homeland. We are going mainly to ¨home¨ in the Sunshine Coast, Qld área, but wanted to do a short sidetrip to somewhere new.
I have a family consisting of wife and a pair of young daughters (10 and 14) and as they have not revisited the motherland for almost two years, I want to get them more exposed to the Australia I know. It is a common problema for people working overseas that kids lose all connection with the country they were born in.
It dawned on me that a trip to Ayers Rock would be perfect – you dont get a more drastic contrast to Colombia´s jungle mountains than the desert in central Australia.
And it also fulfils a wish on my part. As a kid I lived in Alice Springs. And I lived in Tennant Creek. I used to do the drive Alice – Adelaide back when the road was just a dirt strip defined by a grader. But I never went to Ayers Rock (Uluru)!! That would have been a tourist thing that locals didnt have time for.
Anyway, seems like a great idea, I figured on arriving in Alice, doing the drive to the Rock as a nice day´s desert drive, then flying out from there. But certain truths have taken away the joy of planning.
I know that it is a remote place, but the cost of things is ridiculous. I dont mind paying for quality things, but I hate being ripped off. Average cost of rooms is $300+ per night. No problema if it was quality, but from the reviews I see, this is for essentially motel-quality accomodation. Rental cars from Alice are $200 a day for basic cars!! According toTripadvisor, a meal for two in a restaurant in Ayers can cost $300.
I know that it is a highly sort destination. I know it is¨remote¨. And I understand that in a capitalist supply-demand world ¨they¨ get away with this.
But as an Australian, deep down to the core, I hate that for me to visit a truly iconic place, a must on any Aussies bucket list, Ihave to get robbed and forced to accept mediocre everything.
Apparently you cannot even climb the Rock anymore?

We visited Uluru in 2006 so my info is dated but at that point there was a range of accommodation from quite nice(supposed 5 star but more 4 star), to cheap back packers. I wouldn't have thought it would have changed. Meals also ranged in price spending on which hotel you ate at or whether you did something special like dinner under the stars.

We planned to climb Uluru, but we took a sunrise tour that included a walk around the base with an Aboriginal guide and after hearing his stories of the cultural importance to them we ended up electing not to climb. Many people do, so it will be your choice unless the weather is adverse.

We very much enjoyed our 4 nights there and our time in Alice Springs.

 

[Flying mermaid]

Yes. Sounds of Silence dinner is a must. We did it on MrP's 50th birthday so all the star sign info was very interesting.

We also tried doing a camel trek. Myself and two sons were first on the camels then a fierce thunderstorm struck as only it can in the outback. The camels got totally spooked and it was cancelled. Getting us off was rather scary.

Hah! miss FM and I rode a totally maniacal camel who got spooked over nothing and started bucking and rearing (OK maybe a slight exaggeration but that is what it felt like). Afterwards they served some camel for people to try along with other snacks and for the first time I didn't feel bad about eating an animal. the ride was quite good once the animal calmed down, but you will never get me on another camel!

 

[kewpeeii]

Firstly you can climb the ROCK. It is only closed for wind, rain or extreme heat and just once in the last 4 years for Cultural Reasons.
Secondly Jetstar fly to Yulara from Sydney and Melbourne direct and the airfares are excellent. Yes rental cars are expensive but you ought to see how many are destroyed literally. Consider Flying to Alice one way hires often available to Rock very reasonable then fly from Yulara back to Sydney/Melboure with Jetstar or direct to Cairns Qantas Link.

 

[love_the_life]

Yes, you can climb the rock if you choose to but the Anangu people ask you not to as the place is very significant for them. I for one would not even think about going against Anangu protocol but others may decide differently.

 

[Justinf]

Uluru is a bucket list destination for me so I booked last night, me and my 15-year-old daughter leaving 26 May from MEL, via Sydney on VA. Staying at a rock-view room at Desert Gardens Hotel.
Will do the Sounds of Silence dinner, but was wondering if hiring a car is better than doing the tours?
We're staying from Thursday arvo and leaving Monday Monday morning so will have three full days.