My boyfriend and I will be visiting Australia sometime between March and July of 2010. We would love to visit Uluru, but we'll probably take the train from Adelaide to Alice Springs and on. So we were thinking of renting a car to visit Uluru. It seems like a much cheaper option than paying for one of the very expensive day trips from Alice. Also, we were thinking of renting a car in Darwin to explore the Kakadu (in the dry season) since the day trips all seem super expensive as well. Does anyone have other recommendations? Or are the tours REALLY worth the money??

Thanks for your help!

Katie

It's a waste of money to do a day trip to Ayers Rock, drive 460 odd kms have a look around, watch the sunset, then drive another 460kays back- yeesh! You see nothing that way.
With car hire, there's usually a limit on the kms per day which buggers things up a bit. You need to factor in the cost of car hire per day, petrol's around $1.50 a litre plus, calculate your kms, depending on vehicle, allow $15 for 100 kms. A dorm at the Ayers Rock YHA is between $32 and $36. Entry fee for Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park is $25 per person and is valid for 3 days.

As there are two of you, it would probably work out cheaper hiring a car rather than doing a tour. However, if you're interested - there's
The Rock Tour,
Wayoutback
Wayward Bus
Wildway.

Tiger Airways, one of our budget airlines fly Adelaide>Alice, and Melbourne >Alice and have cheap flights. Be aware, that June/July/August is peak season in both the Red Centre and the Top End (Top End is what we call Darwin and surrounds - Kakadu etc.) and you will need to pre-book your accommodation. Also, be aware that YHA and other hostels take bookings up to 6 months in advance. Same with car hire - the sooner you book, the better the price. The closer you book the more you'll pay.

I did tours in Kakadu and Arnhem Land and for me, it was worth it. But for 2 people. hire a car and do it yourself.

Good luck and have great time in Oz.
Cheers.

Thanks for your help, Whistler!!

-K