Trip to Alice Via Uluru Hermannsburg Western MacDonnell Ranges.

Hi Russ just been out this way last month. Kulgera to Uluru I stayed at Yulara campground. There is Curtain springs about 80kms before Yulara if you want free non powered camping and want to travel every day to and from, but we decided if we were to stay 3 nights we would like some power and be closer. From the Yulara campground we would walk 100m up the dune to watch the sunrise & set on the rock. Curtain Springs don't have the camel rides anymore also.
I thought Kings Creek Station was a nice place to stay link text and you can stay at Palm Valley around near Hermansburg for a couple of bucks.

Cheers

Jackablue

P.s. I found fuel at Kulgera about 10c a litre cheaper than Marla.

If you want a break from the bitumen,drive around the Mulga Park road,from just over the SA/NT border round to Curtain Springs.The camp ground at Ayres Rock is great and dont forget to check out the sunrise /sunsets as said above.Kings Creek Campground is a top spot to stay too.
When we drove from Kings Canyon to Hermannsburg on the Merennie Loop Rd it was very corrigated and rough,still better than the black top though.Call into Palm Valley,great place then all the sites along the West Mac's-Simpsons Gap.Standleys Chasm,Ellery Creek,Serpintine Gorge,Ochre Pits and Orminston Gorge.

We had a pretty ordinary time camped at Yulara. They put us opposite the coach groups and we got virtually no sleep despite complaing to tour leaders, and campground staff. The Police finally sorted it out for us but that makes a mess of your holiday. It would probably be OK if you could get away from the 18 - 35 singles on the bus trip. Then again maybe you like that kind of stuff.

We stayed at the resort campground at Kings Canyon, it was very nice and the pool very welcome. Didn't cost anymore than Yulara and it was much better.

If you intend camping in Palm Valley get there early as it fills up pretty quick and the overflow area in not great.

Redbank Gorge was my favourite in the West Macs. If you like cold water get there in time for a swim and go up through the canyon, it was spectacular. Did I say it was cccccccollllldddd.

In Alice we stayed at MacDonnel Ranges Caravan Park and were very impressed. They had a variety of organised activities to suit the young and not so young, bush tucker, astronomy etc.

Take your time up there, lots to see.

Duncs

If you stay at the Ayers Rock resort, some of the places offer "kids eat free with paying Adult". We've got 2 boys and we had a night up at the buffet at Sails, it was about $56 each adult, but the selection of food was great: seafood, hot roasts, yummy desserts, service was good too. I thought it was good value for the 4 of us.

Our campground neighours went to the buffet at the Pioneer lodge for about $10 less and they thought the food was crap.

Also, while there is shuttle bus to ferry you around the resort, its a pleasant walk from the campground to the other areas of the resort.

From Kings Canyon to Hermansberg take the boggy hole track, realy nice drive.
Merinie loop road is boring!

Russ,

If you have time try and drive to Boggy hole down the Finke Gorge. Just head south from Hermannsburg.

Excellent 4WDing and great scenery.

Regards

Ian