Alice Springs & Ayers Rock

[ROY07 Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close ROY07]

Hi everyone I am in the process of planning a trip out to Alice Springs in August, I would be very grateful for any tips or info on what best to see and places to stay while visiting Ayers Rock, Olgas and Kings Canyon.
Thanks.

[K & M McF Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close K & M McF]

At Uluru there is only the one campground, Yulara resort. You can stay at Curtain Springs on the way in or out, but it is really too far to travel each day to save any money.

I would stay at Kings Creek Resort if possible, as it is a nicer setup in my view. You will need to spend at least two nights in each of the Yulara and Kings Canyon area to see everything available.

See my article on our trip in 2010 starting here http://www.michaelmcfadyenscuba.info...hp?page_id=781

[AJ120 Out of control poster! Find all posts View Profile Close AJ120]

There is the little known and often overlooked third Monolith in the area, Mt Connor. It is situated on Curtain Springs Station and we stayed the night at the base of mount connor in the shearers camp. They only let one group in at a time so you have it exclusivly to yourself, book at Curtain Springs.

As an interesting side note, when you stand on the top of Ayers Rock you noticed the 3 Monoliths are in a straight line, pretty cool I thought.

Cheers Andrew

[chester ver 2.0 Member Find all posts View Profile Close chester ver 2.0]

Ok you could do the following
Base at Alice then do 2 day trips 1 to east mcdonald then 1 to west macdonald ranges
The wildlife park is ok in Alice
Or you could base yourself at Ross river then do the east side, a night or 2 in Alice to check it out then do the west mcdonald ranges and continue on the loop road to Ayres rock
Make sure you stock up before going to the rock as it is very expensive out there especially fuel and beer

[prh Member Find all posts View Profile Close prh]

Palm Valley (Finke Gorge National Park) is worth a visit. 4wd access only.

If you plan to take the Mereenie Loop, you'll need a permit because you traverse aboriginal land.

Prices will take your breath away. Last year, at the servo at Erldunda, I think I paid nearly $5 for a 375ml can of coke.

Paul

[alternative Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close alternative]

Watching with interest We are doing the same trip, Adelaide-Alice-Kings Canyon-Uluru in July this year.

[smakb Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close smakb]

If it is hot and you like a swim, go west of Alice and go for a swim at Ellery Creek Big Hole, google it and see what you think, then continue to Glen Helen gorge. Make sure that you make your way down the gorge which will most likely require a swim.

Make sure you do the big walk at Kings Canyon

[batto Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close batto]

As said finke gorge national park is well worth the look, both palm valley and boggey hole. At least 2 days for each east and west macs to see and appreciate everything the macs have to offer. rainbow valley and chambers pillar are also worth a look, really comes down to how long you have to stay as to how much you get to see. The highlights on a time budget would have to be ndhala gorge and trephina gorge (east macs) boggey hole and palm valley (finke gorge) redbank and serpentine gorges (west macs) continue along mereenie loop to kings canyon (or return from).

Batto.

[D4Dforme Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close D4Dforme]

Mate i go from Alice to the Santos Mereenie facility regulary,
Go out Via Hermansberg and head out to Kings Canyon that way........you get a bit of dirt up ya sleeve just past Hermie and see some awesome outback Oz at it's best.........easy drive with mostly hardpacked gravel but there is the odd sandy section closer to the the Kings end of the dirt.........great stuff you'll love the "jump up"..........watch out for camels.......for a large animal they are surprisingly hard to see!!

Dan

[AJ120 Out of control poster! Find all posts View Profile Close AJ120]

If your going to the East and West macs then 2 days for the West might be OK, but I would think 4-5 days to do justice to the East Macs, Also add Arltunga and Glenn Annie gorge at Ruby Gap into the highlights for the East Macs.

At Trephina gorge there is a short but very rough track to John Hayes Rock Holes, there is a hike leaving from here going up the hill through some pretty ordinary scrub before you get into the gorge to return to the rockholes. IMO this gorge is one of the most magical places I have ever been, it has a natural ampitheatre half way down which is just brilliant. Others might not get the same feeling we did, but we thought it had a very magical / mystical feeling, and the first half of the hike was so ordinary we almost turned around and didn't continue.

I would add some pics but my internet is going so slow I can't upload any at the moment.

As others have said, Palm valley is great, Chambers Pillar is good although a fair drive to get too. Rainbow Valley is also good, was freezing when we were there though, literally freezing, minus 5 overnight. Gosse bluff is worth a look if you are on the Mereenie Loop, there is no shortage of good stuff up that way.

Cheers Andrew

[ROY07 Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close ROY07]

Thanks everyone great info from you all.