• We went to Ayers Rock for two nights and were persuaded by the travel agent to book two separate excursions - one to Uluru and one to the Olgas. One was an evening tour and the other involved getting up at 4am to see the sunrise! Both tours were very expensive. In the event, we arrived at Ayers Rock in a thunder storm and couldn't even get out of the coach to view the rock (which was closed) due to a dust storm. When we got up at 4am the next morning, the weather was just as bad so we went back to bed!
Afterwards, we discovered we could have hired a car and done both the tours on our own, much more cheaply. Could you find someone to share the cost of a hired car with you?
Lyn Faulkner
• Booking strongly recommended, evidently. Tours can be booked over here in advance and we found Travelmood (0870 990 9930) to be extremely helpful.
Barbara Eastes
• I visited Ayres Rock for two days as a single traveller in April 2000. I booked all my tours through my travel agent in the UK, and I would advise anyone else to do the same. Your time is too short to risk booking your tours on arrival, only to find that your choice is unavailable. Don't book your national park entry pass in UK - I did, the booking wasn't processed properly, and I had to pay again. You can get it from the bus courier if all else fails.
Vivienne Bishop
• It's not necessary to book Ayers Rock tours in advance. There are at least three companies offering tours which can be booked at the resort itself. Anangu tours are led by Aborigines themselves and probably offer the most 'genuine' experienece, but all the companies' tours are very similar. You can also book tours to the Olgas at the resort, which are well worth a visit. All tours begin either at sunrise or at around 3pm to avoid the midday sun. You can hire a taxi which will pick you up from your hotel and drop you at certain points at the Rock, but it is probably more economical if there is only one of you, to go on a tour.
Claire Roth
• I suggest you buy a copy of Bill Bryson's Down Under book, which has a large section on Ayers Rock. Also suggest you contact Austravel, and start reading the Guardian's Travel section!
Gary Millar
