My Japanese friend and I are interested in seeing something touristy but something "Australian" and I suggested Uluru. Both of us being students means we don't have the largest budget but we do have time. What would be the cheapest way to get to Uluru from Melbourne?
I was thinking of doing like a 10 day trip and driving there, since we'd want to drive as well around Uluru.
how about the other side?
Gold.
They look the same..
Walk there 👞
Google the photos of Uluru
Driving, surely. Can't speak for other cities, but flying there from Perth is EXPENSIVE!
Don't mean to rub it in but years ago Tiger used to fly to Alice Springs and I grabbed $20 return tickets from Sydney. From there I took a 3 day camping trip to Uluru for around $350 (in 2013?) that also included Kata Tjuta & Kings Canyon. For a solo traveller wanting to see Uluru (specifically) it was great value overall (though obviously not a budget option with flight costs these days).
For backpackers based in the southern half of Australia it's more common to plan a driving trip up from Adelaide (e.g. http://traveloutbackaustralia.com/driving-from-adelaide-to-a…), which is an already painfully long drive if you're a micro-sleeper (watch out for those kangaroos!). The fact you can't drive at night (kangaroos…) makes the trip long even when you have 4 drivers. You can get general advice on this website: http://traveloutbackaustralia.com/travel-to-ayers-rock.html/. If you have time then driving from Melbourne is not as much of an issue. But you might want to find a third passenger to reduce fuel costs even more (as long as they don't suggest a stopover at Salt Creek).
Relocate a campervan?
Can you tell me more about this? The things I see online seem to good to be true/scam. What companies do this?
Google image
Hitchhike and camp. You're welcome.
Route goes right past Wolf Creek…
What about a one-way backpacker tour (Uluru <-> Darwin / Uluru <-> Adelaide / Darwin <-> Adelaide)?
There are often special fares for flights (or it could be a cost-effective way to spend some FF points if you have any).
Btw, it is too hot to go there in the summer. I went there early Oct one year. Got totally toasted (day-time temperature in the very high 30s and even night-time temperature was in the teens) couldn't do the walk around Uluru that I wanted to do.
You're welcome