Around March 2016, I was keen to travel somewhere new. This time, I headed to Australia’s Northern Territory. Travel with me as I share my 2-day experience and adventures in this warm place.
Day 1
From Sydney Airport, I flew to Alice Springs, the Northern Territory’s largest town, on Qantas for 3 hours and 20 minutes. Then I took another 50-minute flight to Uluru.
*If you want a direct flight, Jetstar and Virgin Australia offer one. The travel time is only 3 hours and 40 minutes.
Upon arrival, get yourself a bottle of water and hydrate. It’s hot during the day (at least it was at the time of my visit) and can be cool at night, so bring appropriate travel clothes.
Transport
If you booked your accommodation at one of the well-known hotels in the area, the transfer from the airport to the hotel (and vice versa) is likely free. The shuttle will be outside the airport waiting for guests. Another option is to rent a car if you want to explore the place at your own pace.
Travel time from the airport to the hotel: less than 10 minutes.
Accommodation
I got my hotel and tour itinerary info from Ayers Rock Resort. Popular options include Sails in the Desert, Desert Gardens Hotel, Emu Walk Apartments, Outback Pioneer Lodge, and Outback Pioneer Hotel. However, you are not limited to these choices. There are backpackers and hostels, cabins and cottages, apartments, even camping grounds you can choose from depending on the type of comfort you are after. I’ve heard there are also those 2.5K/night type if you want a super fancy space, or you can also try Airbnb, perhaps? (research mode on!)
I booked the Desert Gardens hotel because my first choice wasn’t available for the dates I wanted to stay. There is this slight fear of the unfamiliar, which mostly influences my decision to stick to typical travel stuff like picking tried-and-tested hotels (with lots of reviews!). Check-in was swift, no drama. I still had time to eat and rest before my first Uluru activity. I left my bags in the room, refreshed a bit and off I went.
Uluru Sunset Viewing
Pick-up times by the tour guides were very prompt, so you better be at your pickup location on time. While I waited in the hotel lobby, I saw other tourists with fly masks. They were probably advised to buy one because flies are abundant where it is hot (in Australia). I decided against spending money and was relieved I didn’t need one. It might benefit you, though, if one of your activities is to climb Uluru during the day (which I do not recommend out of respect for the law and culture of Anangus – the locals).
The tour includes a free air-conditioned coach to and from Uluru, a glass of champagne/wine, and a snack which they serve upon arrival. The bus driver will give you little chairs to sit on while you wait for sunset. They say the rock changes colours, and it glows during this time of day. And it’s probably safe to assume that this is what everyone’s after on this particular tour.
Unfortunately, I didn’t see this magical moment. The sky was not clear that day. Although few, the clouds cast shadows on top of the rock, making it a bit difficult for tourists to see the transformation (see photos below). I was still grateful to have seen this majestic creation. No regrets 馃檪
Photos of Ayer’s Rock Transformation
Aww, that’s it!
Finished the day by having dinner at the hotel’s restaurant and got back to my room to pack. You can opt to go to the market, but I was too tired from traveling, and day two requires waking up early.
*Air conditioning wasn’t working properly in my room; hence, I requested a transfer. It was a bit of a hassle, but it wasn’t a long walk, so it was alright.
Day 2
Had to skip the market the night before because I was scheduled to do my 2nd activity at 7:30 in the morning (just before sunrise). This is the only time to do it because my flight home is at 10 AM to Alice Springs. Crazy planning, right? Yes! I only had a day and a half free, and this was how I made the most of it.
AIR EXPERIENCE – 30MIN ULURU AND KATA TJUTA (SUNRISE)
My guide was already there when I got to the hotel lobby. He took my bag (yes, had to check out beforehand too due to the early flight) and we travelled a good 15 min or less to where this air flight would happen. It felt like I couldn’t appreciate the whole rock experience if I only saw one side of it. So I booked a helicopter ride to see it from the air.
Here’s another look at Uluru from up high:
Below is the other natural wonder, the rock domes of Kata Tjuta.
This experience is worth my trip to the Northern Territory. So glad I did.
After that, I waited outside the airport (it doesn’t open until 9 AM), and I was back in Sydney before I knew it.