Uluru round trip to alice

No I wasn't joking. I was only after info on a time frame as we are trying to work out whether or not we have the time to see this area before we head up the Tanami as we are on a time constraints with other destinations in the Kimberly.

Ian, what about climbing to the top of the rock? I understand people still do it although 'locals' don't like it. A couple we met on our recent trip said the highlight of their travels throughout Australia was standing on the top of Uluru. They also said it was quite a strenuous climb, and to do it while we still can (before we get any older). Hoping to get there before i turn 100!

Motherhen

Motherhen,

Don't be phased by the PC speak attitude that says 'don't climb the rock, thats our church' senario. It is a brilliant experience. Also with the 'valley of the winds' at the Olgas, just do it and have a ball.

Call a friend, visit Mt Dare or just be alive when you go past the Rock.

Cheers
Ian@Mt Dare

Thanks Ian, sounds as if we need to make this another trip destination and not try to stuff it into this trip just because. Thanks again for the info.

Olly

Motherhen,

It is a great experience and it is a fairly strenuous climb. But it's really worth it for the view from the top and the feeling of achievement. I agree with Ian, do it and enjoy it.

Viv

Think I read somewhere about quite a few unfit middle age people having heart attacks when climbing the rock? Visions of them dropping like flies :)

Viv,

We're doing an 8 week trip through the Kimberly, leaving Gladstone, CQ 1st August. Originally we hadn't planned on doing this loop as we were just going into the Alice for a couple of days before we took off up the Tanami. But now after doing our itinery it looks as though we may have an extra week spare (leaving a week to get home from Timber Creek) after crossing the GRR. So our thought was to go down and do the Macdonnell ranges loop either before the Tanami or come back down the Stuart and do it at the end (still leaving a week to get from Alice to Gladstone).
Not sure when to do it as we've booked sites at Cape Leveque and are unsure of availability if we push our dates back.

Olly,

Sorry to ask so many questions, Olly, but are you coming across from Mt Isa or on The Plenty Highway? Just interested in how you are getting up to the Kimberley.

About your spare week. If you would really like to do a quick loop around...seeing the West MacDonnell's, on to Kings Canyon via the Mereenie Loop for the Ridge top walk then Ayers Rock, the Olga's then back to Alice Springs and spend a couple of days you could do that in a week. No reason why you can't go back another year and do it all in depth.

As long as you are comfortable with it then that's all that matters. We're doing a bit the same at the end of our Kimberley trip this year. We are just going on the Mereenie loop to Kings Canyon and then to Ayers Rock for a couple of nights then heading home. We hope to go back again with daughter and family next year and we can go slowly then.

We are leaving the last week end of July, getting to Broome by 9th August. You never know we might see you up in the Kimberley.

Viv

Viv,

We're heading across the Plenty. It looks as though we'll spend an extra 4 days out from Alice, it may seem like we don't have enough time and we possibly don't (just an excuse to go back) but as we are trying to fit as much into 8 weeks as we can, with some spare days up our sleeve just in case of unforseen problems we'll have to spend our time wisely.
Just as a matter of interest, where are you'se travelling from. We'll be part of a 4 vehical convoy, all with off road CT's.Hope to be in Broome on the 22nd and CL 27th.

Olly,

Olly,

We're coming from Victoria. We're going up the Stuart Highway to Alice..then on the Gary Junction Road through Papunya, Kintore etc to WA then continuing on to Marble Bar...detouring a bit to Carrawine Gorge. From there we go to Cape Keraudren, 80 Mile Beach up to Broome. In Broome 9th to 12th August..then Derby and the Gibb River Road. We're heading up to Kalumburu and Mitchell Falls then back to the GRR and Wyndham, Kununurra, Bungle Bungles then Halls Creek...Tanami Track to Alice Springs...Kings Canyon, Ayers Rock and back home through Coober Pedy. We've got six weeks.

Looks like we are tackling the GRR from different starting points as we will be in Kununurra 26th, 27th August. We might cross paths..

Viv

Viv,

Sounds like a great trip, yes you never know we may cross paths. Anyway thanks for the info and have a safe trip.

Olly