The Australian Outback
What Does It Take To See It?

Because much of the continent is so dry, most of the population in Australia lives along the east coast.... with a fair number of people also living along the southern coast and the west coast.

All the rest of the country... the part that is less populated... is considered the Australian Outback. OK -- If you're planning a trip to Australia, and you want to see some of the Outback, you don't want this big generalized definition. You want to know where to go and what to see.

Uluru is where we went, so that's what we'll tell you about.

You could drive to Ayers Rock, then you'd really get a taste for the Australian Outback. It's a long way from anywhere.... 280 miles (462) from Alice Springs, and Alice Springs is pretty much in "the middle of nowhere"... or the middle of the Outback, or in the Red Center... however you choose to describe its location, visiting Uluru is well worth the effort.

We think the way to go is the way we went. Fly in.

You can join a tour or travel independently. We rented a car... that's often our first choice. Rental cars are expensive around Uluru, but so are tours. You are pretty much limited to one or the other. The roads you will be driving on are two lane, and many of them are dirt roads, but all are well maintained. Remember, you will be driving on the left.


There is a surprising range of accommodations for staying near Ayers Rock....

All of these are all located in Yulara which is a township/resort that is about 5 miles (8 km) from the entrance to the Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park. (And about 11 miles or 18 km from Uluru itself.)

The accommodations range from five star hotels to hostels to a camp ground.

There are a variety of restaurants and snack bars and a small grocery store. Within this resort area, you can walk or take a free shuttle bus to get around. You might want to stay in one hotel, but eat at another... That's easy.

You should plan to spend two or three nights to see even this small section of the Australian Outback.

You can hike around Uluru, and you want to see it at various times of the day. It really is an awe inspiring sight. We did not climb Ayers Rock out of respect for the Aboriginal People's wishes. They consider it sacred, and they ask you not to.

You will also want time to visit Kata Tjuta (which used to be known as the Olgas).

Aboriginal Art if you look for it. We love all of that. Michael and Ellen have lots of information if you want to learn more about it.

You would need to allow weeks and weeks to explore all of the Australian Outback, but you can get a great taste for how beautiful it is by just visiting the Red Center around Ayers Rock.

Get yourself a bottle of Australian sparkling wine and toast to a great experience as you watch the sunset on Uluru.

Travel doesn't get much better than this!

Happy travels... even if you don't travel the world... just remember that life is a journey... embrace and enjoy it!
  Judy and Mark

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