When I traveled to Australia I had to see the Red Centre - especially Uluru (aka Ayer's Rock). So to end my tour of Australia, I flew to Alice Springs and then joined a 3 day tour from there.
I toured the Northern Territory with Adventure Tours Australia. This was a great tour. It was a small group of travelers and the guide was excellent!
We camped in "tents" near Uluru. I say "tents" because they were more like small two bed cabins. We had the option to sleep outside in a swag bag, but I did not want bugs or snakes near me when I slept. Turns out that there were more likely to be spiders, snakes, or scorpions in the "tents" than bothering you outside. Fortunately I was there in May, so unwanted visitors were not a problem. Not likely that they were around at that time of year.
Cost for the tour as of today's date is $355AUD. The website offers tours of the Red Centre. I went with: http://www.adventuretours.com.au/northern-territory/alice-springs-budget
When we arrived at our campsite, we went to Kata Tjuta, a group of red mounds about half an hour away from Uluru. This was a great hike that offered great views of the incredible geography in the region. It is called the Red Centre because rust floats on the breeze from Darwin in the North and coats everything in a red dust.
Then, as the sun was setting, we went for a photo op at Uluru. We got up early the next morning to catch it at sunrise too. Then we walked around the rock. It was pretty impressive. There are quite a few areas that are sacred to the aboriginals. You are not allowed to take photos of these areas of Uluru and if you are caught, you are fined $5500AUD and your camera is confiscated. Signs are posted where you can take photos around the rock. It was worth it to walk around the base.
There is the option to climb Uluru as well. At a talk with local aboriginals afterward, one of the speakers commented on this new tourist trap saying: "White man's idea". He was not impressed. The fact is, this rock is sacred to the aboriginals of Australia. To have "white man" climb it (for fun), is offensive to them. It would be similar to someone showing disrespect at the Vatican and repeatedly peeing or defecating inside St. Peter's Basilica, for example. But tourists keep climbing it.
That night we traveled about four hours to King's Canyon. The next day was a hike around King's Canyon. It is impressive too. A difficult hike, but well worth it.
If you are short on time, this three day tour of the Red Centre is a great way to see and experience this amazing part of Australia!
~Angie
I toured the Northern Territory with Adventure Tours Australia. This was a great tour. It was a small group of travelers and the guide was excellent!
We camped in "tents" near Uluru. I say "tents" because they were more like small two bed cabins. We had the option to sleep outside in a swag bag, but I did not want bugs or snakes near me when I slept. Turns out that there were more likely to be spiders, snakes, or scorpions in the "tents" than bothering you outside. Fortunately I was there in May, so unwanted visitors were not a problem. Not likely that they were around at that time of year.
 |
| The Tents |
Cost for the tour as of today's date is $355AUD. The website offers tours of the Red Centre. I went with: http://www.adventuretours.com.au/northern-territory/alice-springs-budget
When we arrived at our campsite, we went to Kata Tjuta, a group of red mounds about half an hour away from Uluru. This was a great hike that offered great views of the incredible geography in the region. It is called the Red Centre because rust floats on the breeze from Darwin in the North and coats everything in a red dust.
 |
| Kata Tjuta |
Then, as the sun was setting, we went for a photo op at Uluru. We got up early the next morning to catch it at sunrise too. Then we walked around the rock. It was pretty impressive. There are quite a few areas that are sacred to the aboriginals. You are not allowed to take photos of these areas of Uluru and if you are caught, you are fined $5500AUD and your camera is confiscated. Signs are posted where you can take photos around the rock. It was worth it to walk around the base.
There is the option to climb Uluru as well. At a talk with local aboriginals afterward, one of the speakers commented on this new tourist trap saying: "White man's idea". He was not impressed. The fact is, this rock is sacred to the aboriginals of Australia. To have "white man" climb it (for fun), is offensive to them. It would be similar to someone showing disrespect at the Vatican and repeatedly peeing or defecating inside St. Peter's Basilica, for example. But tourists keep climbing it.
 |
| Uluru |
 |
| King's Canyon |
~Angie
