Frommer's Australia from $50 a Day 13th Edition - To Parent Directory

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CHAPTER 7 . THE RED CENTRE
Tips Travel Tip
Most tourists do Uluru in the mornings and Kata Tjuta/the Olgas in the
afternoon. Reverse the order (do the Valley of the Winds walk in the
morning and Uluru in the afternoon), and you’ll find both a little more
silent and spiritual.
FLYING OVER IT Several companies do scenic flights by light aircraft or
helicopter over Uluru and/or Kata Tjuta/the Olgas, nearby Mt. Conner, the
vast white salt pan of Lake Amadeus, and as far as Kings Canyon. Helicopters
don’t land on top of the Rock, however. As a guide to the flights available, Professional
Helicopter Services (& 08/8956 2003; www.phs.com.au) does a
12- to 15-minute flight over Uluru for A$95 (US$62) per adult, and a 25- to
30-minute flight for A$190 (US$124). Kids under 13 usually pay half-price
(that depends more on their weight than their age). You can drive to the helicopter
site on a Harley-Davidson for A$50 (US$33) one-way and A$75
(US$49) return.
MOTORCYCLING AROUND IT Harley-Davidson tours are available as
sunrise or sunset rides, laps of the Rock, and various other Rock and/or Kata
Tjuta/Olgas tours with time for the Olgas walks. A blast out to the Rock at sunset
with Uluru Motorcycle Tours (& 08/8956 2019), along with a glass of
champagne, will set you back A$135 (US$88). They drive the bike; you sit
behind and hang on. Self-ride tours are available, too, at a hefty price.
VIEWING IT ON CAMELBACK They say a soul travels at the same pace as
a camel; it’s certainly a peaceful way to see the Rock. Frontier Camel Tours
(& 1800/806 499 in Australia, or 08/8956 2444) makes daily forays aboard
“ships of the desert” to view Uluru. Amble through red sand dunes with great
views of the Rock, dismount to watch the sun rise or sink over it, and ride back
to the depot for billy tea and beer bread in the morning, or champagne in the
evening. The 1-hour rides depart Ayers Rock Resort 1 hour before sunrise, or
1 1 ⁄2 hours before sunset, and cost A$90 (US$59) per person, including transfers
from your hotel. Each day between 10:30am and midday, you can visit the
camels free of charge and take a short ride for A$10 (US$6.50) for adults, A$5
(US$3.25) for kids 6 to 12, or A$25 (US$16) for a family.
EXPLORING THE OLGAS
Although not everyone has heard of massive Mt. Olga (or “the Olgas”), a sister
monolith an easy 50km (31 miles) drive west of Uluru, many folks who have
say she’s lovelier and more mysterious, and I agree. Known to the Aborigines as
Kata Tjuta or “many heads,” the Olgas’ 36 momentous red domes bulge out of
the earth like turned clay on a potter’s wheel. The tallest dome is actually 200m
(656 ft.) higher than Ayers Rock. The Olgas are more important in Aboriginal
Dreamtime legend than Uluru.
Two walking trails take you in among the domes: the 7.4km (4.5-mile) Valley
of the Winds walk, which is fairly challenging and takes 3 to 5 hours, and
the 2.6km (1.5-mile) Gorge walk, which is easy and takes about an hour. The
Valley of the Winds trail is the more rewarding in terms of scenery. Both have
lookout points and shady stretches. The Valley of the Winds trail is closed when
temperatures rise above 97°F (36°C).