Help Me Climb Uluru - Last Chance to Climb Is Tomorrow, Can I Get There from Sydney in Time?

Super doobie on 24/10/2019 - 15:38
Last edited 24/10/2019 - 16:37 by 1 other user

This is my plea to the OzBargain community. I know it's last minute and will appreciate all your help.

CAN I GET TO THE TOP OF ULURU BEFORE IT IS CLOSED FOR GOOD?

Tomorrow is the last chance anyone will have to climb it. On the 26-10-2019 there will be no access and a closing ceremony.
I'm looking for a return flight or car / camper hire to get me there. I am on the central coast but would fly from Sydney or Newcastle and or hire transport from between Sydney and Newcastle.

PLEASE NO LECTURES, OR EDUCATING ME ON ULURU.

Please list the best deals you can find. Getting to the top is my main focus. I would like accommodation but I can figure that out myself. I'm sure I'm not the only one interested in a deal for this.

Thanks in advance.

Travel

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  • [Deactivated] on 24/10/2019 - 15:57

    i was going to write something but i'm sure it would just get deleted as a personal attack

    so i won't.

    but you know what i'm thinking.

    • 34
    • Meho2026 on 24/10/2019 - 16:00

      Yep, only a fool would publicly declare they want to do that and only a total idiot wouldnt be able to figure out how to get there.

      • 19
      • [Deactivated] on 24/10/2019 - 16:01

        you said it not me :)

        • 4
    • Seedy seed on 25/10/2019 - 16:34

      That you want to buy me aircon. Thanks man.

      • 0
  • navyskies on 24/10/2019 - 15:53

    Buy a private jet and skydive out of it onto Uluru, that's how I'd do it.

    • 28
    • GG57 on 24/10/2019 - 15:54

      Yes, OP should do that, and live-stream it.

      • 2
  • onetwothreefour on 24/10/2019 - 16:02

    I've been there and climbed it, was boring, don't bother. Or wait til they reopen the climb again in 6 months.

    • 18
  • zombrex on 24/10/2019 - 16:21

    Climbed it during an off peak time. Everyone climbing was respectful, friendly and said hello to each other sharing a sense of camaraderie. You can really appreciate the different formations on the rock up close and view of the surrounding area is fantastic.
    Was a great experience.

    OP if you really want to climb stop wasting your time here and just book the flights regardless of the cost. You will regret it more not giving it a go.

    • 9
    • papachris on 25/10/2019 - 00:41

      "Everyone climbing was respectful" - respectful of who?…

      • 0
      • ozbjunkie on 25/10/2019 - 08:27

        Other gubbas

        • 0
  • tre180 on 24/10/2019 - 16:28

    Everyone climbing was respectful

    Hmmmm

    • 8
  • rb123 on 25/10/2019 - 14:26

    OP, please update if you made it there…

    • 6
  • Super doobie on 25/10/2019 - 18:59

    MADE IT. WOOHOO.👍

    • 6
    • onetwothreefour on 25/10/2019 - 23:29

      Pics or it didn't happen.

      • 10
    • Cluster on 25/10/2019 - 22:57

      Well, you made it just in time. Were you nervous that the climb wouldn't be open today after being closed in the morning?

      • 0
  • payton on 25/10/2019 - 19:13

    What a time to be alive. Its been an amusing two days

    a close-minded academic celebrating too soon
    This witch doctor actually trying to curse visitors to Uluru
    another rube who celebrated too early

    https://www.news.com.au/travel/travel-updates/hundreds-queue…

    Check out the replies of this tweet
    The sound of people trying to impose their absurd moral standards on others
    How nice of the activists to be wishing death and injury on people they never met, people who've never done them harm.

    • 4
    • Cluster on 25/10/2019 - 23:00

      What a huge line up. I must say people were incredibly optimistic leaving it to the last day. October had many days above 36C where the climb was closed.

      As for the tweet: "A curse will fall on all of them."

      It's a good thing magic words never did anyone any harm. Curse away.

      • 1
  • Super doobie on 24/10/2019 - 16:05

    Talked to the national Park today and they advise it will never open again.

    • 3
    • qwerty on 24/10/2019 - 17:34

      Same way hungry jacks was never going back to paper based offers

      Give them a couple years and they will run cultural tours climbing the mountain - right now they cant make any money off it

      • 22
      • Presence on 24/10/2019 - 17:36

        This is the most correct comment in the whole thread! No one can resist the sweet sweet Chinese tourist cash to climb it.

        • 11
        • [Deactivated] on 24/10/2019 - 18:07

          Everything is sacred until you need cold hard cash.

          • 25
    • Bargain80 on 24/10/2019 - 16:19

      then you should know why you shouldn't climb it.

      • 5
    • Hoobz on 25/10/2019 - 09:50

      And John Farnham, and others, just had one last tour…

      • 1
  • [Deactivated] on 24/10/2019 - 16:39

    Need to get there in the morning, they won't let you start your climb after a certain time. Too hot.

    • 3
  • holdenmg on 24/10/2019 - 16:45

    Plenty of other options.

    Why not do the sacred Sydney Harbour Bridge climb?

    • 3
    • abel on 25/10/2019 - 16:54

      The climb and jump?

      • 0
  • DarthAntz on 24/10/2019 - 17:44

    Cheaper to climb Mt Fuji, travelling from the central coast.

    • 3
    • HighAndDry on 25/10/2019 - 12:36

      How dare you suggest climbing something with such strong traditional and cultural symbolism to the Japanese people?

      Seriously. People climb all sorts of things. Mt Fuji, Eiffel Tower, Macchu Pichu, Angor Wat, Statue of Liberty, etc.

      • 5
      • DarthAntz on 25/10/2019 - 13:55

        Ha! Its not such a bad thing if you expire climbing Mt Fuji in comparison! It wont upset the tourism drive to the area, and cheaper/easier to remove the expired tourist and their selfie stick from Mt Fuji than the big red rock.
        Can't take a tourist bus halfway up Uluru either.

        • 1
      • GG57 on 25/10/2019 - 13:12

        People can climb those things listed because they are (currently) allowed to.

        There are also plenty of places / sites that people are not allowed to climb.

        • 0
    • Caped Baldy on 24/10/2019 - 17:59

      +1. Mt Fuji is stunning. I had fun hooning up it.

      • 0
  • Baysew on 24/10/2019 - 20:08

    Why have you left it to the last minute?

    • 3
    • holdenmg on 24/10/2019 - 20:20

      It has only been there for around 600 million years…

      • 2
      • Cluster on 25/10/2019 - 00:41

        Not according to Creationists. Just 6000 years old.

        • 3
  • Cluster on 25/10/2019 - 12:31

    ABC radio just reported the climb is open again as winds died down. Schadenfreude feelings have been premature it seems.

    • 3
    • [Deactivated] on 25/10/2019 - 13:12

      he could still fall and break his neck. my bets are on that now.

      • 0
      • payton on 25/10/2019 - 18:45

        So bitter and full of bile.
        Sorry that your hopes were dashed, lol.

        • 0
  • GG57 on 24/10/2019 - 15:44

    There are no deals.
    Plan ahead and get a deal for the future, to enjoy the experience of visiting this sacred place.

    • 2
    • [Deactivated] on 25/10/2019 - 16:23

      It's a rock.

      • 5
  • Cluster on 24/10/2019 - 16:56

    http://www.bom.gov.au/nt/forecasts/yulara.shtml

    The weather forecast for tomorrow is decent. If it's above 36C or too windy the climb is closed. Ideal climbing time is in the morning so you're really pushing it by flying during the day.

    I climbed it last month. It was a lot of effort and something of a 'now or never' type thing to do, but the view from the top is very underwhelming. The rock is honestly far more interesting viewed from the ground.

    • 2
    • MoshPitShaq on 24/10/2019 - 17:04

      Not much of a "view", but once at the top it really made me appreciate Australia (how vast our country is) and the Indigenous people who were able to navigate and survive off the land for so long.

      • 1
      • GG57 on 24/10/2019 - 17:10

        Not wishing to downplay your experience, but you would have either flown or drove to Uluru, which should have given you an appreciation of the vastness of Australia.

        • 2
        • Ozpit on 25/10/2019 - 09:41

          This. Or circumnavigate Oz by car (or by bicycle - yes, people do it) and you’ll get a solid grasp of just how big this country is.

          • 1
          • GG57 on 25/10/2019 - 09:48

            @Ozpit: Exactly. Climbing Uluru would probably only give a view of ~100km to the horizon.

            • 0
  • chumlee on 24/10/2019 - 18:59

    If you can't even work out how to get there, there's no chance you can work out how to climb it.

    Stick to an indoor rock climbing centre

    • 2
  • Cluster on 25/10/2019 - 00:27

    I hope the OP reports back later whether they managed to get to Uluru

    • 2
  • Cluster on 25/10/2019 - 13:33

    https://www.smh.com.au/national/wild-wind-spoils-climbers-pa…

    "Several climbers who made it through the gate eventually had to be helped back down by rangers after they ‘‘froze’’ during the descent, overcome by fear of the precipitous path worn smooth by tens of thousands of reeking boots over the past 70 years."

    Reeking boots? Can we can an update as to the sanitary condition of their underwear too? Instead of reporting on the news and events we have active advocacy by journalists.

    • 2
    • [Deactivated] on 25/10/2019 - 14:46

      was Pauline Hanson one of them? probably cos of those Reeking boots

      • 0
    • GG57 on 25/10/2019 - 14:47

      I didn't read that as advocating a particular viewpoint. That writer is more a journalist than a reporter, and probably added that description to add interest to the facts of the story.
      It seemed to be well-balanced writing in my view.

      • 0
  • zombrex on 25/10/2019 - 17:29

    The self-righteousness that people hold over others for simply walking up the side of rock is really pathetic, especially when it is for not conforming to spiritual beliefs. Climbing the rock does no harm. The Aboriginal people themselves had no problem climbing it in the past and there is historical evidence to support this.

    Also conflating the disrespectful actions (defecation) of a tiny minority to the majority is grossly unfair. If that were the case then there would be no park, beach or nature area open for access in this country.

    There are also economic reasons for stopping the climb. This has been admitted.
    If people can't climb maybe they will take part in expensive paid experiences like segway scooters, bike ride, bush cooking, helicopter rides and so on.
    And don't worry the prices they charge for all of these activities are ridiculous because it is a captive market.

    • 2
  • Dont Care on 26/10/2019 - 10:28

    settle down. you'll all be able to climb again when the aboriginals see how many tourism dollars they lose.

    • 2
    • whooah1979 on 26/10/2019 - 12:17

      They’ll probably ask the federal government for a handout to cover the lost revenue.

      • 1
      • Eeples on 26/10/2019 - 23:27

        That comment is probably racist.

        • -3
    • AS2035 on 27/10/2019 - 14:43

      It's a sacred site.. idiots throw bottles down, poo and wee on the site .. the path is well worn out plus there was the make shift barrier that was doing damage.

      Do you want people to come to your house, use it for toilet, throw their rubbish around?

      • -1
      • whooah1979 on 27/10/2019 - 14:50

        They’re more than welcome as long as they pay $25 (or $12.50) at the gate.

        • 0
  • pyramid on 24/10/2019 - 15:59

    Why do you want to climb it?

    • 1
    • trapper on 30/10/2019 - 15:21

      Why have any experience.

      • 0
  • floppy on 24/10/2019 - 16:14

    Please don't climb Uluru

    • 1
    • EightImmortals on 24/10/2019 - 16:25

      "The climb can be dangerous. Too many people have died while attempting to climb Uluru. Many others have been injured while climbing."

      Fair enough.

      • 1
      • zombrex on 24/10/2019 - 16:36

        Vast majority were old and/or unhealthy people who died of Heart Attacks. They would have likely died undertaking any other strenuous exercise in hot conditions. Others went off the prescribed path. Nothing about the climb is inherently unsafe if you are healthy, wear appropriate shoes, bring water and follow the path.

        • 12
        • EightImmortals on 24/10/2019 - 16:36

          …too late now. :(

          • 0
        • SlickMick on 25/10/2019 - 16:17

          if safety that has anything to do with why it's being closed, most national parks will have to be closed.

          • 0
      • bobbieb on 24/10/2019 - 20:00

        Too many people have died while attempting to climb Uluru.

        Many people have died doing far less consequential things…

        It's arguable that if you gotta go, then there are worse ways to go than dying whist enjoying one of this nation's natural treasures.

        Please don't climb Uluru

        Followed the link, read the entirety of the content on the site, and frankly still couldn't objectively see anything that articulates the reasoning for the suggestion that I shouldn't want to climb Uluru.

        I'm happy to be educated… in the meantime, I'm looking for co-investors in an Uluru skydiving adventure business.

        • 7
    • SlowCarSlow on 24/10/2019 - 17:30

      Is there somewhere to learn more about the cultural reasons behind it? The spreadsheet linked to on that page says:

      "We ask vistors not to climb Uluru because of it's spiritual significance as the traditional route of the ancestral Mala men on their arrival at Uluru."

      But I'm having difficulty finding out what that actually means? I have found these two references of what I believe this statement is about -

      https://www.australianexplorer.com/mala_walk.htm
      https://parksaustralia.gov.au/uluru/discover/culture/stories…

      Is this something that I would have to go to Uluru to learn more about?

      • 1
      • orangetrain on 24/10/2019 - 17:35

        It's like an ANZAC memorial to locals, people get offended when you climb on top of things they worship.

        • 2
        • SlowCarSlow on 24/10/2019 - 17:47

          I understand that, I'm trying to understand the story mentioned better. The story as told in those two different websites both seem… incomplete. The first website's story is copied from a book that is (as far as I can tell) only available to borrow for the National Library of Australia and is 32 pages long:
          https://trove.nla.gov.au/work/31685614?selectedversion=NBD11…

          The second website (official government website) tells the story and then makes this statement:

          "This story teaches that it is important to finish what you start and that you should watch for and listen to warnings of danger."

          I understand the second part of that statement, but the first is not something that seems shown in the story as described.

          • 1
          • moph on 25/10/2019 - 01:36

            @SlowCarSlow: I visited Uluru earlier this year (did not climb), but I came away with much the same feeling. I read all the available information and tried earnestly to understand the indigenous stories about the place, but I really came away with less understanding of its spiritual significance than I thought I had before I went there.

            I think the reasons for that are 1. translation difficulty (across culture as well as language), and 2. the versions of the traditional stories they translate and tell to tourists are very basic, like the versions they might tell to young kids. In indigenous culture the stories that are told get more complex and advanced as people grow up and are initiated into higher levels of knowledge. So coming in as an outsider you can't expect to be told everything, or even to understand it if you were told it. The downside of that is that is quite hard to really get an appreciation for the culture as an outsider even if you have the best intentions.

            Being told the anangu people prefer people not to climb was enough for me, but I have to say I after visiting it don't really understand why.

            • 6
            • SirFlibbled on 27/10/2019 - 21:01

              @moph: The reason the stories are basic is because outsiders aren't allowed to be told. So they're only told basic things they're allowed to tell you.

              • 0
        • SlickMick on 25/10/2019 - 16:23

          nobody gets upset if you follow the trails in memorial gardens.

          In fact, I was discussing with local RSL leaders regarding whether it was okay giving out pamphlets on ANZAC day inviting people to hear more about what the ANZACs achieved in WWI, and the response was along the lines of "anything to promote the memory of the ANZACs is more than welcome".

          In the Ayers Rock scenario, maybe people with a history with the rock should be honoured that anyone would want to visit it.
          Then yeah, I totally agree with staying on trails and not leaving rubbish. But both sides need to be reasonable.

          • 1
  • Cluster on 24/10/2019 - 17:36

    Google Flights is reporting Virgin SYD-AYQ at 9:55am, arriving 12:05pm for $439. The airport is really close to Uluru so you'd get there by 1pm after hiring a car. Then you have about 5.5 hours max to climb. It's enough time, but if the climb is closed due to weather you're going to be awfully disappointed.

    • 1
    • jjjaar on 24/10/2019 - 20:55

      Gotta book your car tho - chances are they’re booked out this late in the game. None will be available as a walk up.

      • 0
  • kanter on 25/10/2019 - 10:00

    Too late, but you can still go to a church naked or have a ham toastie at a synagogue or mosque

    • 1
    • Cluster on 25/10/2019 - 10:02

      I didn't see anyone climbing Uluru naked or eating forbidden food on it. Maybe your analogy needs a bit more work.

      • 5
      • vikvance on 25/10/2019 - 13:12

        Yeah, all they did was urinate and defecate on it. (see link below)

        It's interesting to imagine the reaction if someone took a dump on the Cenotaph, and especially if the person happened to have a Muslim name.

        https://sites.google.com/site/impactoftourismuluru/impact-of…

        • 0
        • SlickMick on 25/10/2019 - 16:33

          Is that a reason to shut down the rock? Should we close down all significant sites to avoid defecation?

          I wonder why some sacred sites are more respected than others??

          • 2
          • kanter on 26/10/2019 - 08:21

            @SlickMick: Well obviously this one isn’t respected enough. It’s been a sacred site for thousands of years, it’s miles and miles away from anything else, why would people travel for hours just to climb on it, where there is nothing special to see because it IS the thing you’re there to look at, and they know it is a lack of respect to the locals.

            It seems to upset people that Aboriginal people get some recognition

            • 0
            • SlickMick on 26/10/2019 - 14:00

              @kanter: Perhaps will all the tourist dollars spend there, better facilities should have been provided.

              Maybe we know that people are claiming that we're being disrespectful, but we respectfully disagree.

              In the interest of avoiding racism, wouldn't it be better to not give special rights to certain people based on race??
              Dunno about "upset" but it's a joke all the bs recent weak governments are tolerating and shoving down our throats.

              • 0
              • nith265 on 27/10/2019 - 12:12

                @SlickMick:

                Perhaps will all the tourist dollars spend there, better facilities should have been provided.

                I'm no expert in how to best design tourist facilities for world famous natural attractions but somehow building a toilet block on the top of Uluru doesn't seem like the best idea.

                There are facilities at the base of the rock.

                • 0
  • rb123 on 25/10/2019 - 10:47

    You can still climb it tomorrow, it will just cost a bit more.. $10k

    • 1
    • Cluster on 25/10/2019 - 10:51

      Yes, the entry fee is $10k from tonight. After Monday the climb becomes more difficult with the removal of the chain, but there are plenty of adventurer videos on Youtube showing people trespassing into interesting places for a challenge. I don't expect Uluru to buck the trend.

      • 4
    • GG57 on 25/10/2019 - 10:49

      Citation required

      • 0
  • onetwothreefour on 25/10/2019 - 16:28

    OP, where the bloody hell are you?

    • 1
    • Seedy seed on 25/10/2019 - 16:33

      Havin a mingle with ol bingle.

      • 0
  • holdenmg on 24/10/2019 - 16:06

    There are SYD-AYQ-SYD direct flights on Virgin or Jetstar.

    Around $450-550 return, arrive around 12.30-1PM.

    • 0
    • Agarwal on 24/10/2019 - 17:15

      Or if you can get down to Melbourne Jetstar has flights or around 250 one way but gets there at 11:15am

      • 0
  • Caped Baldy on 24/10/2019 - 16:29

    If you feel like climbing something sacred, go climb a church or go for a leisurely run through a cemetery. And you don't have to pay for transport all the way to Uluru.

    • 0
    • bobbieb on 24/10/2019 - 20:35

      LOL… Given the dwindling congregations, there would likely be many churches that would welcome the extra attention.

      Assuming the church isn't under some sort of preservation order that would get the parish into strife, I personally wouldn't have a problem with people climbing my church. Heck, my childhood church has a massive metal spire that would be quite the challenge.

      • 3
    • outlander on 25/10/2019 - 01:05

      It's.. disrespectful to run in a cemetery? Noone told me.
      I played hide and seek with my niece just last year, after my grand papa's funeral.

      • 2
    • dcep on 24/10/2019 - 17:38

      that won't get you any likes/followers from insta post

      • 1
      • Caped Baldy on 24/10/2019 - 17:57

        Will get you karma on reddit though

        • 0
    • trapper on 30/10/2019 - 15:26

      It's a rock not a church.

      A rock that has been sitting there for millions of years, long before any humans came along.

      • 1
  • profar on 24/10/2019 - 16:55

    Last Chance to Climb Is Tomorrow

    What world do you live in ?

    Easy enough to break a rule and climb it at your leisure .

    Just be careful with your arse and watch out for the spears :)

    • 0
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