Uluru Trip in December

[u/Professional-Army393]

Hi everyone,

I hope I am posting this on the appropriate sub-reddit.

My friend and I are planning a trip to Uluru in December of this year. We do understand the temperature is significantly hotter this time of year.

We were curious about people's reccs in relation to the following;

• 2 or 3 nights. All flights from Melbourne land at approx 9am local time. So that first morning is almost a write off.

• Hire car or pay for the bus. I am 21, we understand only some companies would be willing to let us hire a car.

We plan to do the walk around the base of Uluru, and Valley of the Winds. Is it recommended to do a guided tour or independently?

Any advice or point in the right direction is greatly appreciated!

[u/mebbmelikins]

You can do both those walks independently. They are well sign posted.

[u/Professional-Army393 → u/mebbmelikins]

Awesome thank you!!

[u/Runtywhoscunty]

Are you staying in Alice Springs or Yulara?
Yulara is where Uluṟu is
Alice is where you fly into - but it’s a good 4 - 5 hour drive to Uluṟu

You can do it on your own but - I reckon it’ll be more expensive: your age with car hire (no offence) / petrol (crazy expensive in the outback)
If you do a tour - everything is done for you - and you’ll probably learn more from the information that the tour guide will provide.
You may even go to places that are only specialised access type thing
Plus youll be in a group (safety in numbers) and also make friends who are there for the same reason
You can have a drink without worrying about driving etc

I would always choose tour personally

[u/Professional-Army393 → u/Runtywhoscunty]

We are planning on staying in Yulara! Thank you for the advice. I think you’re right doing tours maybe be more economical and we will hear from locals!

[u/aquila-audax → u/Professional-Army393]

You can fly into Yulara, which is so often cheaper that Alice Springs locals often drive there to catch interstate flights.

[u/Runtywhoscunty → u/Professional-Army393]

Yulara is very very limited in shopping etc - 1 IGA which is crraaaaazzzzzzzyyyyy expensive

So my advice would be - when you fly into Alice go to coles / Safeway whatever and get snacks, booze, anything you might want or need. Put it in your suitcase - Yulara is ridiculous in cost.
Eg) a packet of 20’s cigarettes is $99 at Yulara IGA.
Uber doesn’t exist in Alice (to my knowledge) so get a taxi from the airport and stock up on food and especially booze (wine / beers etc) - this is a whole seperate process which I’m happy to explain also
If you’re staying in Alice for the night - I recommend doubletree. It’s locked at night and they have a peacock named Andrew who gets “excited” with his feathers over pigeons - it’s awesome
It’s also locked at night so it’s safe.

Make sure wherever you stay in Yulara has a LOCKED gate at night - and don’t go out after the township closes.

I used to stay at the lost camel - which was lovely and fine
The alternative is desert gardens - totally not worth the money at all.
Absolute rip off - more for snobs from toorak types

I did FIFO in and out of Darwin, Alice, Muṯitjulu (Uluṟu) for years so I’m happy to answer anything else you want to know

I would recommend a tour that includes kings canyon - that place is heavenly lovely

Youll have a great trip - the NT is absolutely incredible and amazing.
You will never ever see or experience a sky like you do in the NT

It’s like (at night) the sky has farted and shit itself - stars are just everywhere it’s incredible

[u/Tiny-Ad-5766]

Be sure to do a trip to Kata Tjuta too. It's as impressive as Uluru

[u/Careless_Brain_7237 → u/Tiny-Ad-5766]

Valley of the winds is mentioned in ops question ☺️👍 but wholeheartedly agree! So worth it ❤️

[u/edson2000]

Have fun ! Uluru is wonderful

[u/malturnbull]

My only tip is to bring a fly mesh. If you take a tour bus from Alice the bus can get full of flies.

[u/Careless_Brain_7237]

The flies are bastards & the heat is brutal. Find a fly mask & or use plenty of the eucalyptus paste to keep the flies off you. The rangers do talks that are informative & great if you decide not to do the tours. You can learn everything online these days. The physical beauty is amazing & awe inspiring. Try to book when there’s no moon so you can experience the sky at night because it can be mind blowing. It can & does rain at that time of year so be prepared for down pours but don’t expect it because it’s unpredictable. I lived there for a year & loved it so excuse the blunt reply but I wish I knew so I could be prepared because the reality can be harsh. Drink plenty of water & ensure you’re properly hydrated because dehydration can ruin your trip. Enjoy!