Frequently Asked Questions
02 - Is the highway from Alice Springs to Ayers Rock sealed road? Is this normally a safe trip?
04 - Do we need a satellite phone on a self drive journey?
01 - Can you tell me the best time of year to visit the Centre and Darwin, in terms of pleasant climate and best time for the attractions?
Central Australia has it's coldest weather from June to mid August. The days are crisp & clear and approximately 25 degrees during the day, but can drop to minus 5 degrees at night & in the early morning prior to sunrise. This is still a very popular time to travel, as it is not too hot during the day.
A recommendation for Central Australia is from April until early October. You will find temperatures day & night are nice and warm plus it is still very easy to embark on some fabulous walks & touring during the months of April, May & September.
Traditionally the dry season, May to October is the most popular time for visitors to explore the Top End. With cooler day time temperatures of 27 – 32 Degrees and low humidity levels this is the perfect time to explorer and experience the many attractions to be found in the region.
During the months of November to April “The wet season”, you can expect afternoon storms and higher humidity. The rain brings on a completely different experience with waterfalls that are not accessible by roads become a spectacular experience by scenic flight. Our green season as we like to call it is the best time of year to see tropical rainforests at their finest. The lush green canopy offers cool relief and the streams, waterfalls and billabongs make ideal stop offs for a swim.
02 - Is the highway from Alice Springs to Ayers Rock sealed road? Is this normally a safe trip?
Driving in the Territory is not a scary experience, but it does pay to be prepared if you do have a break down on your travels, as the distances are quite far from one point to another. The Highway from Alice Springs to Ayers Rock is fully sealed & bitumen the whole distance (443 kilometers total).
Is there any service station, rest area or cafe area along this journey from Alice Springs to Ayers Rock and if we start at a full tank of petrol, would it be sufficient to get to Ayers Rock? There are several petrol stations (roadhouses) between Alice Springs & Uluru (Ayers Rock). The first being Stuarts Well only 91km down the highway. You can purchase fuel, souvenirs, Aboriginal artwork, food, coffee or a Camel Ride from here.
The next fuel stop is Erldunda, which is the turn off from the Stuart Highway onto the Lasseter Highway heading West toward Uluru (A further 108km). Erldunda is a large Roadhouse & a major stop along the Stuart Highway for weary travellers. Along with fuel, they have a large cafe with food available at most hours through the day & night and also have a Mechanic on hand for any repairs during normal business hours of 9am - 5pm. They also have camping sites & cabin accommodation.
Your next stop along the Lasseter Highway is Mt Ebenezer (A further 56km from Erldunda), which has a lovely Aboriginal Art Gallery with some of the cheapest quality Aboriginal Art available for sale in Central Australia. Of course, fuel is available, food, refreshments & souvenirs.
Continuing along a further 104km is Curtin Springs. A remote outback cattle station with a Roadhouse for fuel, toilet stops, camping & a bar available. From Curtin Springs it is only a further 84 km to the township of Yulara, which is where all accommodation & camp sites are situated only 14km from Uluru itself. There are also some lovely picturesque rest sites along the way, where you can enjoy a stretch of the legs & a pre purchased sandwich or two.
The trip is a reasonably easy one & as the road is sealed throughout, there are no specific driving skills required to make this journey. I would recommend at least 2 half hour breaks along the way to stretch the legs, toilet stop & take the concentration off the road for a while. These are easily taken at Erldunda & Mt Ebenezer or even Stuarts Well & Mt Ebenezer.
What do we need to bring on a self drive journey from Alice Springs to Uluru, in regards to spare mechanical parts, extra petrol, emergency kit or extra water? All tourist books sound a bit scary as they always say you have to bring all these.
I definitely recommend you bring plenty of water with you for the journey, for both yourselves & your vehicle in the case of overheating. Also ensure you have some snacks, as it is a long drive & a few snacks along the way keep the mood cheery! Ensure your hire car has a spare tyre that is in good order before setting off on your journey. With any hire cars, 24 hour roadside assistance is included in the hire cost, although mobile reception is not fully available on the complete drive it is being improved each day.
Do we need a satellite phone on a self drive journey?
A satellite phone is entirely up to you if you want to hire one. This can be organised with your car hire company & I would recommend you do so prior to collection of the vehicle, as they must have the phone available & ready for you at the airport. Sat Phones can be expensive to use & the hire cost is also reasonably expensive. For peace of mind, this will give you phone range wherever you are, but I would not say it is necessary.
