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Melbourne to Ayers Rock (Uluru) from $197 Return on Jetstar (Various Oct-Nov) via @FlightScout

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Melbourne to Ayers Rock (Uluru) from $197 Return on Jetstar (Various Oct-Nov) via @FlightScout
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beatthatflight on 07/07/2018 - 10:37 flightscout.co (2359 clicks)

Years ago I made the mistake of thinking Alice Springs and Ayers Rock were close to each other. Turns out it's about a 6 hour drive.

While that was a fun trip, it's easier to fly into AYQ (Uluru) airport, and at the moment, $197 return on Jetstar from Melbourne is pretty amazing. It's also a decent time to visit - not as hot as it could be. Just take some protection from the flies. So many flies.

Airline: Jetstar
From: Melbourne
To: Ayers Rock
Via: https://www.flightscout.co/au/cheap-flights/melbourne-austra… (note it might say $200, but on click through you get $197).

Travel Airfare Jetstar Northern Territory Uluru

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closed Comments

  • customundo on 07/07/2018 - 17:57

    Don't dance naked on it

    • GregMonarch on 08/07/2018 - 09:11
      +2

      Yeah, it's 'sacred'… So don't dance naked, urinate, defecate, leave food scraps, or anything else the aboriginals themselves would have done there without a second thought for hundreds of years when it was just 'that rock rock' (saying it twice indicates: bigger than just 'rock').

      They would have held it in and waited until they reached the bottom, carried their food scraps to a special recycling area ~100km away, etc. Even though they did all this and more at scared 'middens', where they'd sit on the beach shore, eat and leave the shells of the food they ate scattered like a garbage dump, defecate, etc. But that's different. ;-)

  • bensl on 07/07/2018 - 18:22

    when does the climbing ban come into effect?

  • PiratesWench on 07/07/2018 - 18:40
    +18

    I was the security manager at Ayers Rock Resort for some time, and we rescued people from the rock regularly. Most common reason was because they thought they could take an easier way up or down, or a shortcut back down. They would get stuck and off we went in a chopper to pick them up. Definitely recommend the base walk, you can do a short version or longer version. Recommend the helicopter flights too. Remember too that the rock is a short drive from the resort, it’s not right there at the door ! There is a fabulous area between the resort and the rock to stop for sunset and sunrise photos. It’s a well marked area on the left as you head to the rock. If it rains by chance the rock changes to an amazing colour and waterfalls appear down the rock. Hope that helps someone 😄

    • beatthatflight on 07/07/2018 - 18:48
      +3

      Now there's a quality comment worth seeing! Thanks for the notes.

      • PiratesWench on 07/07/2018 - 22:28

        Very welcome. I should have mentioned the camel trip too, that’s great.

    • SomeGuyOnOzB on 07/07/2018 - 20:50

      Did people have to pay for the rescue?

      • PiratesWench on 07/07/2018 - 22:31
        +1

        No they didn’t. My cynical side always wished we could charge them. The chopper obviously cost time and money to run, then there was the cost of either medivac or ambos to hospital etc., plus the team involved in rescuing had to stop their normal jobs (as in the volunteers who helped in emergencies). I know people make mistakes and may have accidentally lost their footing sometimes, but the ones who purposely don’t follow the tracks/signs should be responsible. Just my thoughts.

        • SpotTheOzzie on 07/07/2018 - 22:58

          Was it mainly international tourist?

        • ippy on 07/07/2018 - 23:01

          They should def pay. That's outrageous they didn't have to.

    • GregMonarch on 08/07/2018 - 09:13
      +2

      The water and wind will wear down the rock too. They better ban the weather next.

  • AsSeenOnTv on 07/07/2018 - 19:09
    +1

    We went out a month or so ago specifically to make the climb before it closes, but it turns out they only open it about once or twice a week anyway. They can close it due to a range of factors including: rain, storm, wind, heat, cultural reasons, and maybe more. When we were there they always listed it as being closed due to high winds even though the wind was well below the threshold listed (25 knots which is about 47km/hr). Other than the climb there is not much to do and I wouldn't waste your money.

    • ippy on 07/07/2018 - 22:55
      +2

      Yeah they close it when there's a >20% chance of rain (even if it's very little rain, like 5mm, so 20% chance of 5mm rain occurring) which I found ridiculous to be honest. After doing the climb myself I realised they had closed it due to rain forecast. As I exited, there were visibly pissed off people who had missed out. And guess what, it didn't end up raining at all.

  • daydream on 07/07/2018 - 19:17

    I think the view from the ground of Uluru is more impressive than an overrated view from the top:
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7v67-1WyA-4
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m97NJZ8vSiI

    Keep in mind you're effectively in the middle of the outback with hardly anything to see from up there. You'll get that same view (or better) on the flight into the airport ;-)

    I was more impressed with the imposing (and taller) domes of Kata Tjuta and the enjoyed the hike around Kings Canyon.

  • peterpeterpumpkin on 07/07/2018 - 19:32
    +1

    Just to balance out all the positive reviews of the Uluru base walk…

    I'm someone that loves walking and exploring new places. But I don't think many people would want to spend more than a day walking around the rock. Unlike the typical photos from afar, from up-close it's pretty much the same scenery for 3 hours (and most people will walk a good part of it when there's almost no shade, remembering it can get very hot in November).

    In all honesty, I couldn't imagine spending 4 nights in those parts (to get the cheapest flight tickets) without venturing out to Kata Tjuta etc.

    • GregMonarch on 08/07/2018 - 09:17

      Unlike the typical photos from afar, from up-close it's pretty much the same scenery for 3 hours

      Thanks for that imagery. An image popped into my head of sheep after sheep jumping because the one in front jumped over an imaginary rock, LOL. ;-D

  • SomeGuyOnOzB on 07/07/2018 - 20:30

    Did anyone else book with the Outback Pioneer Lodge through Agoda? I selected a budget room with a shared toilet, and a friend was here helping with the selction so we know what was clicked, but the booking now says "DORM" ???

    • AsSeenOnTv on 07/07/2018 - 21:45

      They are dorm rooms of different sizes. They are pretty expensive for what they are but are fine as far as backpackers go. Have a look on the resort website.

      • SomeGuyOnOzB on 07/07/2018 - 21:49

        I looked into it. There are dorms and there are private budget rooms. Agoda cancelled the booking, so that's sorted now. It's just that we saw the entry said "Budget room" on Agoda and instead, I was given a "Dorm" booking.

    • ippy on 07/07/2018 - 23:00
      +2

      Here's a tip for you: shower early. If you go past 7:00pm the water is literally lukewarm. On my first night I almost cried in the shower, it was cold and I had to wash my hair and the showers are kinda open, like, a breeze easily rolls in and it's freezing at night. Top 3 worst showers I've ever had. Showerhead pressure very good.

  • bizarredeal on 07/07/2018 - 20:35
    +2

    Flights will be full of ozbargainers. :P

  • Lucky13 on 07/07/2018 - 21:02
    +2

    Thought I'd make a connection to this earlier community thread about a guy that was going to Uluru. Might be helpful suggestions for people. Not sure if he's been yet - https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/386487 Also like this article that I found for that community thread, has some helpful suggestions for doing Uluru on the cheap - http://www.bigworldsmallpockets.com/visit-uluru-cheaply/

  • mcnugget on 07/07/2018 - 23:36
    +2

    Workaround for anyone this doesn't work for - ANZ Travel Rewards credit card.

    $225 for a return flight to Ayers Rock with a better airline, lounge passes + more available dates.

    https://www.pointhacks.com.au/credit-cards/anz-rewards-trave…

  • Alley Cat on 08/07/2018 - 01:27

    Ended up booking for a mid August trip for around $300. Thank you OZB for burning my wallet yet again :)

  • redslert on 08/07/2018 - 01:54
    +2

    Flights are cheap but accommodation is very expensive and easily booked out.
    I would organise accommodation before making flight bookings.

  • tendliya on 08/07/2018 - 10:16
    +3

    I have used these flight deals in the past. Hired a car for 3 days once and did a tour for 3 days the second time. I found the tour to be amazing as you get so much information about the culture, Dreamtime stories, about the rock formations, geography etc., It was phenomenal. If you drive and go by yourself, you may not know all this information. Food, accommodation is all included in the price. At the end of the day, sit around the fire to have couple of drinks, share stories with fellow travellers, And sleeping out in swags under the stars was one of the best experiences I would cherish for a long time.

    The tour company picked us up from Ayers Roxk airport when you land, so you don't have to get there the night before and they drop you off at the airport on the morning after the tour too.

    About climbing the rock, be respectful and don't climb it. If tourists get hurt, or worse die while climbing, Anganu people (local tribe) mourn for their families. They feel responsible because that person got hurt or died on their land and they (Anganu) couldn't do anything. If a non-indigenous person dies, because they climbed, their soul stays within the area of the Uluru and they don't belong there, that's what Anganu belief. I was told by the experienced tour guide that the local aboriginal tribes go through certain rituals if somebody dies or seriously injured on their land there. As part of the rituals, The women and men punish themselves by injuring themselves with rocks, men making cuts on their bodies as part of the mourning process. I chose not to climb after hearing all this.

    Let me know if you have any questions about the tours etc.,

    Cheers

  • SomeGuyOnOzB on 08/07/2018 - 10:52
    +1

    If you book accomdoation direct via Voyages, you can use the code CLUB and get 10% discount on full price.
    Properties available range from the campground, to the lodge, to hotels.

    No cashback, so on some reservations, your saving is more like 5% than 10%, but maybe this will help some people.

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