Traveling The Australian Outback
Traveling The Australian Outback
The Australian Outback is more than just the area around Uluru or Ayers Rock... in fact, by one definition it is most of the country. Because much of the continent is so dry, most of the population in Australia lives along the east coast.... with a fair number of people also living along the southern coast and the west coast.
All the rest of the country... the part that is less populated... is considered the Australian Outback. OK -- If you're planning a trip to Australia, and you want to see some of the Outback, you don't want this big generalized definition. You want to know where to go and what to see.
This will come as no surprise, but what you want to see first is the iconic symbol of The Red Center... That big monolithic rock we mentioned right at the beginning.... It's known to many as Ayers Rock, but it's proper name among the Aboriginal native population is Uluru.
Uluru is where we went, so that's what we'll tell you about.
You could drive to Ayers Rock, then you'd really get a taste for the Australian Outback. It's a long way from anywhere.... 280 miles (462) from Alice Springs, and Alice Springs is pretty much in "the middle of nowhere"... or the middle of the Outback, or in the Red Center, as you please.
We think the way to go is the way we went. Fly in. You can join a tour or travel independently. We rented a car... that's often our first choice. Rental cars are expensive around Uluru, but so are tours. You are pretty much limited to one or the other. The roads you will be driving on are two lane, and many of them are dirt roads, but all are well maintained. Remember, you will be driving on the left.
There is a surprising range of accommodations for staying near Ayers Rock.... All of these are all located in Yulara which is a township/resort that is about 5 miles (8 km) from the entrance to the Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park. (And about 11 miles or 18 km from Uluru itself.) The accommodations range from five star hotels to hostels to a camp ground.
There are a variety of restaurants and snack bars and a small grocery store. Within this resort area, you can walk or take a free shuttle bus to get around. You might want to stay in one hotel, but eat at another... That's easy.
You should plan to spend two or three nights to see even this small section of the Australian Outback. You can hike around Uluru, and you want to see it at various times of the day. It really is an awe inspiring sight. We did not climb Ayers Rock out of respect for the Aboriginal People's wishes. They consider it sacred, and they ask you not to.
You will also want time to visit Kata Tjuta (which used to be known as the Olgas). You can drive out to see them, but to really appreciate them, you should allow time for a hike. We loved the hike we took, though we do have to admit we didn't plan it as well as we could have... we went in the middle of the day when it was HOT. Take plenty of water.
You would need to allow weeks and weeks to explore all of the Australian Outback, but you can get a great taste for how beautiful it is by just visiting the Red Center around Ayers Rock. Visiting in Palm Springs Ca The American View On The Cost Of IVF Bhutan and Ladakh Bike Trips European Destinations: Luxembourg Why Not Travel To Switzerland Getting Cheap Theatre Tickets in London World Travel Awards 2011Nominees for regional Categories unveiled during ITB Berlin Tips For Staying Fit While Traveling Queensland tourism operators offer the holiday of a lifetime Why Should You Opt For A Beach Rental? Pros And Cons Of Cheap Travel Deals How To Choose The Best Beach Resort Rubbish Clearance London