This friend is fascinated by the big rock. Would 3–4 days be enough for a trip from Melbourne to Uluru and back? Ideally, with little or no driving involved. It would be great to include Kings Canyon as well. Would it be a better option to travel to Alice Springs first, then head to Uluru? Thanks for any suggestions!
An Overseas Friend Would Like to Visit Uluru after Arriving in Melbourne, Please Suggest Best Option
BendBridge on 12/07/2025 - 21:14
Comments
It's a 4-5 hour drive from Alice to Uluru. Best off flying to Ayers Rock Airport
And take your risks in Alice Springs
If they don't want to drive and definitely want to do Kings Canyon, then this is the best option. Tours are much more immersive than walking around aimlessly by yourself, particularly at Uluru/Kata Tjuta. Insert random tourist pointing - that's a big rock
Kings Canyon is a decent hike with amazing views.
Kings canyon is average, you only need to go 3 hour west of Melbourne to have a lot more of that, and more choice of tracks to suit your liking. The big rock is on the other hand will give you a lot of surprise, you only need to stay within 15 min either side of sunrise and sunset and be amaze by the transformation. You don't have to pose for photo but if you're into photography you'll wish you have magic to slow the time.
Perspective bro. Part of the appeal of places like Kings Canyon is that it is so different to all the other landscape features for 500-1000km in any direction.
@Cobber870: If you've been a few places around the country you'll find kings canyon very underwhelming. Going there just because there is nothing else around is not gonna cut it. There's some other interesting stuff on the way but I guess being in private land sort of takes out all the fun in it.
Fuel is expensive there.
And you can't even get high from it anymore, best to stick to the resort alcohol.
Can't us sensible people buy alcohol in town?
No it’s a dry town because the locals can't handle their booze. They had to water down the fuel and I’m pretty sure you can’t even get hand sanitiser there either.
Bottle shops do operate but their hours are severely restricted and they are closed all day Sunday-Tuesday.
@lgacb08: My understanding is that locals can buy on the days that the shops are open but are limited to one transaction a day
coz they inhale it over there.
You can fly direct to Ayers Rock Airport (AYQ) from Melbourne (MEL). But taking the train to Alice Springs and then a bus tour could be more interesting.
Fly direct, from MEL to AYQ. I recently did it from Sydney. I stayed 4 nights at the Outback Hotel/Lodge - there's dormitory accommodation there, and also a campground if you're into roughing it. I just did the standard motel style.
4 nights gave me heaps of time to do hopon hopoff morning walks at both uluru and katatjuta, (but book ahead, the bus fills fast!) AATKINGS also do a lot of great tours and events, but this can be expensive.
Alcohol is very expensive so I heard (and limited) but this didn't worry me as I don't drink.
Food was a bit expensive - more inline with any tourist-trap locale. The IGA in town square is very limited, too. I enjoyed the food at the outback kiosk, the burgers and fish'n'chips I had were great there, I also sprung for the buffet breakfast on my last day and enjoyed it. $33 if you pay ahead at the front desk the day before.
I hope this helps anyone, highly recommend it! It was a bucket list item and I just loved it and would totally do it again if given the chance! All the best!
Thanks.
How does the hop on hop off walks work?
Do you pay for the bus fare, and return whenever you're done?What other expenses are there? Park fees?
Any affordable transfers from the Ayers Rock airport, and back?Thanks
I wonder when they'll open it up to climbing again.
Wouldn’t be holding my breath
Why do you have to be so racist?
Racist? Pretty sure joking about petrol and altitude doesn’t qualify, but you do you.
They don't even think it's racist, just low hanging fruit
What does uluru and petrol huffing have in common
Har har
No I didn't mean race
Sounds stupid, because it is stupid
@ozbjunkie: I always thought they brought it in because it’s Uncle Ian’s hometown and him and his mates were using it as a mixer with Coke.
@JIMB0
First they came for the aromatics, and I did not speak out—
Because I did not huff aromatics.Then they came for the rock climbing, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a rock climber.Then they came for the drugs, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not getting high.Then they came for the racists—and there was no one left to speak for me.
I wonder how long until public access to the Uluru vicinity is forbidden.
Probably when racism is extinct.
The climbing infrastructure got removed years ago
It already is. You just ignore the rules and do it anyway.
I've done it twice flying into AYQ, excluding Kings Canyon; first time for 2-nights, second visit for three. Renting a car offers the best time flexibility. Must do attractions: Kata Tjuta (self-drive lets you visit late afternoon); Uluru sunset, sunrise & Cultural Centre (self-drive); Uluru Segway tour (resort pickup or self-drive); Field of Light & Wintjiri Wiru (resort pickup).
Better than using random bold in sentences.
No.
Why not?
I heard the locals still let you climb if you slip them a 6 pack per person..
Disgusting that greed is everywhere.Please bold key word, meaning unclear
I visited Uluru in 2019 by flying there. Hired a car and drove to King's Canyon from Yulara. Be aware it's a solid five hour drive, each way. I drove there, did the walk, and drove back to Yulara in one day but you'll be pretty tired by the end.
Don't forget to visit Kata Tjuta as well.
I walked around Uluru, and then did the segway tour the next day.
Don't.
Anyone from overseas who wants to visit Uluru probably hasn't heard that climbing the rock was banned back in 2019.
If you can't climb it, its just a big rock out in the middle of the desert, and a tourist resort that's trying to pretend its trying and failing to recover from losing its only attraction. There's a lot more interesting places to go.
Anyone who was flying there from OS and was fascinated by the place as the post said, would know by now. OS ppl have more respect for our cultural sites than we do. You do realise ppl overseas have the internet. I think since 2019,too.
You do realise it's people, not ppl?
You do realise ppl overseas have the internet. I think since 2019,too.
Issue is with our internet, updated information probably just been uploaded now thanks to NBN
Many may have more respect, most dont as evidenced by the plummetting tourist numbers to it.
@gromit: I agree. Matches the Voice vote . If hate speech is OK, this is the obvious outcome. In one weak as piss Albanese snap decision, Jewish ppl Australia achieved what the actual First inhabitants could never do in 200 years.
And that's all about top unravel ,big time.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-07-14/tony-burke-antisemiti…
get some original material… it's hilarious seeing you goonbags who couldn't even climb up a set of stairs, suddenly caring about climbing up a rock lmfao..
I've already done it. Checkmate.
Looks like the lovely old darl on the coach tour had good reason in telling you to "bugger off!"
@Lets Go Brandon: oh snap you went through my history and that's all you got. Didn't see that I had stage 4 cancer? and that boomers also treated me like shit then? Thinking I should die at 36, and wanted to know why resources were "Wasted" quote - on me because they wanted alllll the attention in the cancer ward!
Even had one call me a dyke out of the blue because I -gasp- had no hair while going through chemo treatment.
But I'm still here. I have a life I love that included winning an awesome trip to Hawaii thanks to this site - and doing more travel than ever - and doesn't revolve around lamenting about racist shit from days gone bye and shit-stirring for internet points to make me feel better.
Peace x Hope you find some joy and meaning before you die, that's a sad life between you and your sock-puppet account up there.
@AMofOz: onya, you tell 'em. Congratulations on the Hawaii trip, that's awesome. Wish you well in your recovery from Cancer
@ThithLord: also just won a 500 dollar giftcard from the Bpay Competition, so I'm doing grand, despite this shithellsite not having any real community other than smart-arsey and racist incel rambling.
lamenting about racist shit from days gone bye
I must have missed the memo where climbing up a spectacular natural geological formation was racist. Can you catch me up?
@R4: Depends on why you feel the need to do it when asked not to, for reasons of culture and respect. People were abusing the freedom initially, so that the cultural owners acted. But broadly if you have to ask what racism is, or why denigrating a cultures scared sites is deemed that way, there's a fair chance you already know, the answer.
@Protractor: I wasn't asking what racism is (don't know where you got that notion from - certainly not from anything I wrote). I climbed it. Nobody told me not to, in fact it was encouraged. So climbing the rock was not racist (my question was somewhat rhetorical) and could never be construed as racist.
@R4: Then why do YOU think ppl who know it's cultural insensitive , insist of saying FU, I'll climb it anyway?
It's racist. Any opportunity to piss off those TO's.
Do you think Hanson, the convicted racist isn't a racist?I stand by what I said. If you (anybody, was actual the point) don't see it , deny it or exemplify it , it's a choice.
It is what it is. If it looks/walks/talks like a duck…..When did you climb Uluru? Who encouraged it. How did they encourage it? Were they the TOs?
@Protractor: And I stand by what I wrote - I wasn't being racist and climbing the rock was not racist. You can't climb it anyway so any idea that this is racist is pointless.
I climbed it in the 90s. The Aboriginal tour guide showed us where to go and what to do. That was it. I enjoyed the experience although it was tough going as it was really hot. What's a TO?
@R4: TO would be the guide or the people who endorsed his role. Traditional Owner. You were on their country. The bit that always was and always will be theirs.
People who demand to be able to climb it now, or whinge that they can't, are almost always coming from wilful ignorance or base racism.
@Protractor: Thanks for clarifying what a TO is.
Maybe they are racist but again, I don't know why you're arguing about with me about that as I never said that I wanted to climb it or was whinging that I can't. You're essentially arguing with yourself.
@Protractor: In many cultures, climbing natural geological formations is normal and celebrated. So to tell people of a different culture to your own that just having a desire to want to climb up a big rock is racist is in itself also racist.
@tenpercent: I think it’s because there’s a toilet at the top of the geological formation.
So when you did your business up there, you were literally pssing/shtting on their culture.
To be culturally respectful I called it “being the rainbow serpent”
It's clear now what the D stands for.
Why are you assuming overseas people would be less aware than Australians?
because their own small minds can't comprehend anyone smarter, and they're pretty dumb.
It would be nice if OP bothered to reply to the questions about length of stay and budget.
If time is tight, flying direct would be my suggestion and then the Kings buses. There's a lot of wildlife out at dusk, and it's safer. We did a Katherine Gorge day trip from Darwin a few years ago, and a bloody great buffalo was crossing the road as we turned a corner. The driver managed it perfectly, and we were very grateful not to be behind the wheel.
The only wildlife we ever saw was an odd camel. But every trip would be different for sure. Great experience!
I would definitely recommend flying to Ayers Rock. Seeing the rock in the distance for the first time and then approaching closer for landing is still the most memorable moment I've had while flying. True hairs on the back of the neck standing up stuff. Try to get a window seat on the best side for the approach and clean the window and have a camera ready.
While there, many years before the climbing ban was introduced, I respected the wishes of the local indigenous people and walked around the rock rather than climbing it. It was a great experience.
I was there and did the pointless climb when it was known as Ayers Rock. And The Olgas nearby, above, but by plane …
They have all been renamed.So, do not expect to climb Ayers Rock / Uluru.
AFIK walking around is still allowed.
Majestic as it is I doubt I will go again, too many changes with too many restrictions for not too many valid reasons (IMHO).If in Melbourne probably the Great Ocean Road is far more unique and far less coercive. Beats the California one hands down.
If they want to see Kings Canyon, this is the itinerary I would recommend.
Day 1: Fly to Uluru | sunset of Uluru - (with Field if Lights optional)
Day 2: sunrise of Uluru or walk of Kata Tjuṯa | sounds of silence (PM)
Day 3: full day tour of Kings Canyon (walk around top and bottom)
Day 4: Fly out
Accommodation: Outback Pioneer is the cheapest; mid range Desert Gardens - Rock View room if they still have them.All tours are done AM / PM as the days can get quite hot (of course you can hire car and do it all yourself). There’s a couple of free activities around Uluru Resort. This time of the year, it’s freezing at night so make sure you have some really warm clothes for when the sun goes down.
Wow, thanks for the itinerary. One question about the tours, do we just book it at the hotel or do we have to book before flying out of Melbourne?
You can book at the tour desk at the hotels but if travelling soon, I would try to book beforehand as some tours may get booked being peak season. Eg Sounds of Silence and Field of Lights. For tour of Uluru, Kata Tjuta and kings canyon, there are a few different companies that offer these so if the one you want is booked, there’s another option.
Tell your friends to wear old shoes. Completely ruined my new sneakers. It's awesome to be lying on the ground and just watch the sky, it's incredibly busy. Then again, maybe you could do it anywhere in Alice Springs.
Will do!
Honestly cannot imagine why anyone would want to go see it, it is just a big rock. Not once in my entire life have I thought it would be a good place to visit.
I went there 40 years ago with a raffle prize unlimited miles Ansett-Pioneer Aussie(bus)pass - saw the sunset - rock went from dark red to dark brown then black - unnnhhhh - wow … ?
also Kata Tjuta / Mount Olga - walked into a red rock canyon - nice - back out - more … wow ?
milady has never been there and has expressed an interest as 'never been there'
for me, it's a one-hit wonder - rock - sunset - walk in the desert - (light show) - what else you got … ?
that said - what I took away from 14000km in 15 days bus travel around Australia - Mel, Ade, Per, Port Hedland 2 nights, Broome, Darwin, Alice, Coober Pedy, Ade, Mel - was the orange/red ochre sandy earth of central Australia - I felt as a whole spiritual experience - so the outback I love - just not rushing back to this old rock.
I understand Germans can love the space of the outback, having nothing like that in Europe, or yeah, if I were on a bus, or young and foolish in a campervan, sure, why not …
Thanks for sharing your experience.
the orange/red ochre sandy earth of central Australia - I felt as a whole spiritual experience - so the outback I love - just not rushing back to this old rock.
100% !!
You put my nebulous thoughts into articulate words/sentence.
Thank you.
I'd go if you could still climb it, very unlikely I'll ever go there now though.
One last suggestion for visiting Uluru and surrounding region: bring lots of warm clothes for the morning/evening/night. It's a desert environment and the temperature plummets as soon as the sun sets. Visitors from overseas, or even locals who haven't experienced night time in the desert, may be caught unaware.
Thanks very much for the advice.
If travelling solo, group tour is the way to go.
I once visited Ayers Rock with bunch of mates and was incredibly lucky to witness a massive rain event on my last day there. Surprisingly only a handful of tourists bothered to drive up to the rock around at the time - Oh did they miss the breath-taking sight of countless waterfalls down the big rock - the walk around the rock when it was pouring and barely any souls around was one of the most surreal and oddly spiritual experiences of my life.
Thanks. It's good to know.
My advice to your friend is spending at least twice with sunset because the last minutes of lights you can easily miss if you haven't been there before. And also ditch Kings Canyon altogether because they'll waste a full day on that and it's pale in comparison to something like the Grampians or Blue Mountain or any other significant landmark along the Great Dividing Range. And if they're driving, all rentals in Uluru has daily km and if you're doing Kings Canyon, expect to pay extra $200, not including fuel, so if budget is an issue that Kings Canyon trip can easily add $1000 extra.
The group tour that includes Kings canyon would be my suggestion for that time frame.
Kings canyon is pretty well a full day on its own and a day or so at Ayers rock is fine. There is a geat walk there and last time I was there it looked like bikes were available if thats their thing.
If the tour includes the Mereenie loop that would be a bonus for an OS visitor. It has good scenery and is a good example of the sort of outback roads that crocc the outback.
These places are pretty unique and definitely worth seeing.Best tell your friend not to bother, find something else to do with the 3-4K it will cost you for the 3-4 days. I've never been , I'm sure it's nice but I baulk at the staggering cost. Not Oz bargain friendly
Easiest way would be to fly to Alice Springs and join a tour. I did a 3 days tour that includes uluru and kings canyon. You prob need 4-5 days in total.