Seat availability on Rex backpacker pass in November?

[Baumi]

Hi all,

my name is Jens, I'm from Germany and new to the board. I hope this is the right place to ask my question - if not, feel free to suggest to better places.

I'm planning to spend 4 weeks in Australia from late October until late November. It's my 1st time in Australia, and I've been exploring options of getting around and seeing as much as possible, epecially around the E and SE coast but - if at all possible - I'd also like to include a trip to Uluru. (Althoug, considering how remote it is, I might just drop it from the itinerary.)

Greyhound passes sound nice, but with the long distances to cover, they don't seem to be an option for me, as I'm afraid I'd spend most of my time sitting in a bus. The Rex backpacker pass ( Products & Promotions : Backpackers ) sounds interesting, but I'm worried about seat availability: Bookings seem to be 48hr-standby and subject to seats available in the W-class.

Does anyone here have any expericence using these passes, i.e. how hard is it usually to get a seat on a given date at that time of the year?

I tried the search function, but unfortunately couldn't find an answer, so I'd be thankful for any pointers.

As added question: Do 4 weeks for E and SE coasts (+ possibly Uluru) sound sensible at all, or should I just decide to cover a smaller part of the country (perhaps even via bus or rail) and spend more time at each place?

Thanks for any help!

Jens

 

[drron]

I have been travelling on REX a bit over recent months.Their routes are limited to SE Australia but do include some unusual tourist destinations such as Coober Pedy,Kangaroo Island,King Island and the NSW Coast.They have had a pilot shortage so that some routes have been suspended eg Maryborough in QLD,though by November it is expected to be going again.
Rex uses small Saab 340 planes with 11 rows in a 1-2 config.Some of the routes do get quite busy as the larger carriers dont service the smaller centres.They also are not that fast so some time will be spent in the air.They are strict on baggage-15kg for checked and 7kg for carryons and they often weigh carryons.
Looking at the pass it appears you could book more than 48 hours out-it just says you must confirm at least 48 hours out-ie no last minute change of flights.looking 2 days out at the moment there seems to be good availability of the cheapest net fares on most routes.The price does seem good.You could obviously use alternate transport for connecting to other places to visit-a bus from Coober Pedy to Uluru for example.Look at their route map and work out if they go to enough places for you.November is a good month for travel as it is before our major summer holidays.