Planning Outback trip to Red Centre

I need help with planning a four or five nights trip into "The Outback". We are an energetic couple 56 years old (a young 56). We love photography, camping, and we are not into 5 star hotels.

We are also trying to plan our Australia trip on a budget. We will be arriving on March 16, and leaving morning of April 2. Most likely this will be our only trip to Australia, as we have lots of other places to visit.

This is what we have tentatively planned: 4 nights in Sydney, 4 nights in Cairns, 4 nights in "The Outback", then fly to Melbourne and continue travelling there.

We have one extra night, and I am trying to decide on an extra night in the Outback (1 night in Alice Springs, 2 nights at Kings Canyon, 2 nights at Ayers Rock, we want to do a lot of scenic photography), or a day tour from Cairns to Port Douglas, Daintree & Cape Tribulation.

The original plan was a 5 day camping safari in the outback, but I think I would like two sunsets at Ayers Rock, and they only spend one night. Since then, I have been reading more about CapeTribulation, Daintree and Port Douglas, and think it would be nice to get a "peak"of the area.

I am also debating on renting a 4wd or taking tours. I do not want to be confined to a tour bus.

We REALLY want to rent a vehicle in the outback, but were wondering if we would miss the info that the tour guide would provide, and are also concerned about getting stranded without gas.

What are your thoughts on renting a "campervan", and do we need to reserve campgrounds? I don't mind staying in a campervan, cabin, floored tents, but am a little concerned about the danger of just pitching a tent somewhere.

Any help you can give would be appreciated.
Thanks, Pat

Response to: Planning Outback trip to Red Centre

Hi Pat,
Let me se if I can address some of your issues:

"We have one extra night, and I am trying to decide on an extra night in the Outback (1 night in Alice Springs, 2 nights at Kings Canyon, 2 nights at Ayers Rock, we want to do a lot of scenic photography), or a day tour from Cairns to Port Douglas, Daintree & Cape Tribulation."

You need to consider how vast all the distances here are. I understand that on your only visit to Australia you want to see as much as possible, but your whole schedule sounds very hectic to me. Cape Trib is lovely. If a peak is satisfying for you I'd do that. If you want a less hectic trip and a deeper experience, skip it. Your 5 nights in the centre schedule sounds very reasonable to me.

"I do not want to be confined to a tour bus."

Frankly, the only way to avoid being confined to a tour bus is to not go on a tour. Camping safaris will still confine you to a tour bus for most of the time and they schedule your day (which means limited time and opportunity for photography). The only difference to coaches is that the bus is smaller, the group a lot younger, and that you'll be camping outside at night.

"I am debating on renting a 4wd or taking tours."

Your own car gives you independence and the freedom to spend as much time taking pictures as you like, where you like. You don't need a 4WD to visit Ayers Rock and Kings Canyon. (A 2WD would be a lot cheaper. In Alice Springs you can rent normal 2WD cars that come with camping equipment.)

The roads are all bitumen, rather busy, and there are service stations at Uluru, at Kings Canyon, and three more on the way from Alice Springs (and people and shops and facilties and, and, and...) You really don't need to worry about runnig out of gas or running into trouble.

Honest, that area is so touristy, you'll never be alone. There is nothing to worry about. If you love camping and don't like tour buses, by all means get your own vehicle!

"We were wondering if we would miss the info that the tour guide would provide."

That is a valid point. However, depending on the tour you may get a great guide who does have a lot of knowledge, but you could also get someone who is bluffing his/her way through a lot. (Yes, it does happen.) It depends on the company, I guess, but I can't give specific advise here. I really wouldn't know.

At Ayers Rock you can do free, ranger guided tours, and the Anangu do cultural tours as well (not free), so you can get the same commentary without committing to a tour. The Uluru Cultural Centre also has lots of good information materials, and there are great books about the history and the environment of the area. Of course, not everybody is into reading long, involved books...

"Do we need to reserve campgrounds?"

No. Between June and August I'd try to make reservations, mainly in Alice Springs. (I'm not sure you even can reserve camp sites at Uluru or Kings Canyon.) But it's definitely not necessary at the time of the year you'll be there (March).

"What are your thoughts on renting a campervan?"

Renting campervans is expensive, and since you travel to places that have excellent facilities I don't see much of an advantage. You can rent normal cars plus camping equipment in Alice Springs. That seems to make more sense to me, especially when you are on a budget.

Campervans are great for longer trips, remote areas, or people who prefer to stay away from campgrounds, but in your case I don't really see the point... But then again, look around at the possibilities and prices and decide just how much you want to rough it.

"I don't mind staying in a campervan, cabin, floored tents, but am a little concerned about the danger of just pitching a tent somewhere."

I'm not sure what kinds of dangers you are concerned about.
You can't pitch a tent just anywhere in that area. You will have to stay at the Ayers Rock campground and at Kings Canyon campground. There is nothing to fear there.

Ayers Rock campground has floored tents, and there are some affordable cabins at Kings Canyon (with shared bathrooms and camping kitchens).

There's nothing dangerous about pitching a tent, but if you've never done it that way I can understand your reluctance. Relying on on-site tents and cabins etc. will save you time you'd otherwise spend unpacking and packing up again, and also offers a bit more comfort.

March is a great time, well before the big rush starts, but it's still a bit unpredictable. Be aware that it will be very hot during the days, and that you could even get some rain in the centre. See Alice Springs climate. (There is a very good chance of rain up north on the coast, and even the possibility of a cyclone.) Oh, and the flies will be a pain in the you know what...

I'd check into prices for the floored tents and cabins at Uluru/Kings Canyon, and the prices for campervan vs. normal car, and see what's more economical. Keep in mind that the campervan will also require a lot more fuel. You will be driving well over 1500 km/950 miles. Also consider that it can get quite stuffy to sleep in a van on warm nights.

Well, that's all I can think of telling you for now. Feel free to use the comments section if you have further questions.
I hope that you will have a fantastic trip and will return with many wonderful photos!

Photo by Patrick Denker