Maybe I should move to...

[OzStarGazer]

...Uluru?
http://uluru-australia.com/ayers-rock-tours-experiences/stargazing-at-uluru/

I would like to go on holiday next year at any rate... I will have my TravelScope with me of course!

By the way, has anybody here been there? Any recommendations re hotels etc.? :)

[Wavytone]

Visiting Ayers Rock will cost you a lot more than you probably budgeted - I have a friend who went a couple of years ago and returned rather soured by the cost - he and his wife could have had a holiday in London for less.

The locals have rigged everything so that you have to pay exorbitant fees for anything - or see nothing.

Oh.. And you'll have to tolerate the local religion being preached at you.

I've seen Halley's Comet from the Nullarbor and I would expect Ayers Rock would be similar. An interesting experience, yes the sky was good, incredibly quiet, and the low horizon in all directions is a novelty, but it's not the best sky I've observed under.

[el_draco]

Stinking hot. Wouldn't do that again for any money you wanna name. :shrug:

[Monstar]

I haven't been myself, but from i've heard both the previous replies are correct.

The market is small and covered, with no competition and they can basically charge what they want.

[MrAstro]

I don't remember it costing too much - but then again I drove there as part of a longer road trip.

[OzStarGazer]

Thanks, yes, I have noticed it is not cheap... :(

[tlgerdes]

We went on July last year. The complex has accommodation to suit most budgets from backpacker to 5 star. We stayed in the 5 star hotel but were at the camp ground for dinner over 3 nights.

They actually have an astronomy tour that runs most nights, they have 2 c11's on site.

I wouldn't go through summer, 40 deg days and the pool heats up to same, so no relief. April-Oct is best time.

We walked around the rock (11kms) rather than climb it, likewise, there are at least 2 fantastic walks at Kata juta each around the 3hr mark. Do the camel tour near hotel as well, interesting history.

Allow at least 2 full days on the ground at uluru (3nights). You can do a round trip and fly direct, then hire a car through to Alice and fly home from there. Kings canyon on the way to Alice is spectacular (2 nights, 1day)

[OzStarGazer]

Thanks, I was planning October. They had advised me to go in winter, but the problem is that nights are very cold in winter! Far too cold for my taste, particularly if I want to watch the stars...
Wasn't a bit too cold at night in July? :) I have read that in winter night temperatures can be 2-5 degrees! A huge difference between day and night.

[OzStarGazer]

The biggest problem is that it is expensive as it is and they don't have single rooms, so if I want to be on my own I have to pay for 2. :(

[pmrid]

The Ularu fiasco is another example of Australian tourism killing the golden goose. We are charging so much for relatively little that we are pricing ourselves out of a large segment of the market.
Another example - my wife and I wanted to do a Kimberley tour last year - 14 days or so in a guided bus/4WD arrangement. We were quoted prices in the range $12-14K EACH and that did not include flights to-from Darwin. Instead, we flew to South America and had an 18-day cruise through the Patagonian glaciers, Cape Horn, Santiago, Buenos Aires and all for under $6 grand EACH.

I'm sure there'll always be people willing to pay the prices Ularu and the like charge. But for people wanting value for their hard-earned, Australian tourism isn't the place to go shopping.

Peter

[OzStarGazer]

Yes, I am rethinking my next holiday... To pay for two only for myself when it is a rip-off even for two is a bit absurd... :(

[Renato1]

On the other hand, there is another phenomena at work. Many years ago back in the 90s I knew a guy who was partners in an outback touring business which used four wheel drives. When they charged reasonable prices for the time - something like over $100 a day - they didn't have much business.

Then they tripled the price, and in his words, they had to beat back the Japanese tourists with sticks, as they all suddenly wanted to go on the tours.
Regards,
Renato

[AstralTraveller]

I suppose it depends on whether or not you want to see Uluru. If so, you bear the cost. If you just want to go somewhere dark to use your scope then there are few more expensive options. Also, it isn't that great for observing, especially if you don't have a car. The hotel complex, restaurants, shops, cabins and camp ground (or is that glamp ground?) are lit up like christmas trees. And, without trees to shield the lights, you would need to walk a good km or more over the nearest sand dune to get away from them.

If you do go I think October could be a bit late. Possibly too much heat and turbulence? We camped in Alice in July when overnight minimums were -6 and, yes it was cold, but maybe not as cold as you think. Probably because it is a dry cold. Lying on the air bed in the tent was cold but I don't remember being cold when observing. Coat, beanie, gloves and overpants (and a bit of youthful enthusiasm) and we were fine.

[OzStarGazer]

Thanks, I am just rethinking for next year, but I do want to go sooner or later. Good tip about the lights around the hotel. It might indeed be difficult to have dark skies there, so camping would be much nicer.
I did want to see Uluru and not only go there only to have dark skies. It must be a really nice experience. :)

[tlgerdes]

Do it, you wont regret it, regardless of how much it costs. It is one of those things that everyone should see once in their life, its the size if the Sydney CBD.

[OzStarGazer]

I will definitely do it within 3 years or so... Maybe even next year (I am just not sure).

[REVEREND]

They have one Australian record that I know of...the dearest fuel in Oz..:(

Cheers Reverend.

[leon]

We, Alice and myself, have been to Uluru twice and loved it, also spent some time at Kings Canyon and The Olgas, a fantastic experience.

As for Alice springs, well, just drive through without stopping, I hate the place.

Leon :thumbsup: