V-Flyer

Back in 2010 on the last trip down under we didn't make it as far as Uluru, now another trip has been booked and wondering if it is worth the effort as have heard mixed reviews of the place....
Can anyone who has been please offer their advice?
Stunning not to be missed natural wonder or expensive dust bowl?

Thanks

What time of year are you going to Australia?

Best time to visit Uluru is their winter, as the temperature is reasonable and there is far less cloud/potential for rain. Also in winter the sun rises later and sets earlier which makes getting up/out to watch less brutal!

Accommodation and most tours are run by a single company so expect inflated prices, I wouldn't stay for more than 2 nights as there's not a lot else to do other than Uluru and Kata Tjuta. It's best to pay for a bus tour at sunrise/sunset as they usually supply biscuits and champagne. You can also do guided walks around both areas, where an Aboriginal person tells you about the different stories, and paintings on the rocks etc.

In short, it's an amazing sight and I'd definitely recommend a short visit at the right time of year.

Thanks,will be in Australia end of Jan/beginning of Feb so summer out there.

We drove there and I have to say that being in the outback generally was a great experience and something I could never have appreciated from photos and writing.

It was a long journey with Uluru the goal/destination. That and the photographs, travel books and general hype had created high expectations for me which ultimately resulted in some dissappointment. I think I was expecting it to seem bigger or somehow make an emotional impact upon me.

I think if I'd just arrived there, by plane, expecting nothing, I would have been impressed. I guess it depends what type of thing makes an impression on you - the cattle market in Dubbo blew me away where Uluru didn't.

It sounds like you have read mixed reviews so perhaps Uluru divides opinion and you won't know how you'll find it until you go. Hope you have a great trip either way.

I have had several friends visit there-3 of them went for the sunrise or sunset tours and said that when the light changed as the sun came up the colours of the rock were amazing and it was a beautiful sight and well worth visiting. One went in the afternoon and was underwhelmed so I think it depends on the time of the day as to what sort of experience you get . Definately be there for the sunrise or sunset .

Sunrise and sunset are absolutely the best times to see Uluru.

I'd have reservations about visiting in Jan/Feb as the temperatures can be unbearable and it's generally cloudier/wetter which will be more likely to spoil the colour views at sunrise and sunset. There are also lots more insects.

Winter wins every time.

Way back in Jan '00 I flew into that fly infested hellhole for 24hrs! (ok, bit harsh but there were lots of flies). My very basic hotel was hugely overpriced. Unfortunately, it was cloudly for the duration of my stay so both my sunset/sunrise trips were underwhelming! There's very little else there so 24hrs is more than enough however, the risk is all that way and it's cloudy!! I wouldn't bother. Happy travels

Very different experience here, then again I went in late June which, as has been said, is a much better time for it.

It's not, by and large, a luxury experience. Our stay at the Adelaide Hilton right after was far more comfy, it goes without saying. And yes, everything is expensive. And they will keep going on about how self sufficient and sensitive to proper usage of resources it all is (of course it has to be there). This can be very annoying to some. It's a mild irritant to me, but not a deal breaker

Now the good ...

If you are into nature traveling, it's a unique and stunning place. We took a remarkable hike in the morning at Kata Tjuta, for several hours (even in winter this required a very early rise, as we were aiming to be done before lunch); we took an afternoon/early evening/sunset hike around the rock, also amazing. We had a night time dinner in the middle of nowhere to go stargazing, one of the very best places to watch stars in the world of course (the only place I've been to that's been anywhere near as fun for this was Esalen in mid-August, and, well, there was a whole lot else going on there anyhow ...).

If the whole "majestic beauty of nature" blablabla doesn't do it for you, save your money. For us, we were there three days and loved it.

October. It was overcast so the magical changing colours were an unchanging chocolate, both sunrise AND sunset.

However, it IS something I'd recommend anyone with the opportunity to do. You only ever need do it once though. It's not a location to return to, IMO.

We were on a package, where everything was pre-arranged, and it worked for us. We arrived from Alice Springs by coach, and left by air.

HUsband did it 10 years ago and did the meal in the desert to watch sun going down then see the stars at night with a guide with a star pointer talking about all the different aboriginal tales regarding the stars, he said it was fantastic. So when we went a couple of years ago he insisted we went so I could enjoy the same show. The flght in was amazing and it was worth it to see something that is so iconic. Sadly the romantic dinner at night was rubbish and to add insult to injury no sooner did the 'star guide' take up her position than it clouded over and poured down with rain :0 The first rain they had had there for nearly 18 months
Was it worth the trip ? Glad I did it but wouldn't bother again.

Went in late Januray 2007 a few months after moving here. When I asked around at work about what to do/see etc the locals seemed oddly suprised I even wanted to go and see a rock. But then to them travel is coming to London to hang round with other Aussies in Aussie themed bars ): .

Anyway agree with what the others have said. It is a long way from anywhere and in some instances this is part of the charm. Yes getting and staying there is not cheap - but it is remote.

Personally preferred Kata Tjuta as they seemed more accessible, can get up close and in between etc. Having said that them and Uluru do make odd bedfellows with the surrounding flat land.

Being January it was hot and there were plenty of flies - but that is just part of the outback experience - makes it all the more Australian. Be careful with linking it to see Alice Springs - which after two visits I personally think is a hell hole. Yes, there is the telegraph station, the dried up river bed, the school of the air and fortunately an airport and railway station so you can leave! I have yet to meet anyone who likes the Alice.

I wouldn't rush back as it is something that has the most charm when visiting for the first time - the journey, the first sighting the exploration etc. but I would go back. We are all different and I imagine flying 2 hours into the middle of nowhere to see a rock is not for everyone, then probably neither is looking round gothic cathedrals for others.

What I say to people visiting is not try and do everything in one visit the place is too big for that and the overriding experience will be gaining an intimate knowledge of Australian airports.

Thanks everyone for their comments, have to admit that I'm not really into the nature thing, nor insects!
Will give it some serious consideration though.....

Thanks again.

RobL wrote:Went in late January 2007 a few months after moving here. When I asked around at work about what to do/see etc the locals seemed oddly surprised I even wanted to go and see a rock. But then to them travel is coming to London to hang round with other Aussies in Aussie themed bars ): .

Ah, The Church on Sundays ..... ):