# Has anyone taken the train from Alice Springs to Uluru? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [November 12, 2013, 1:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-anyone-taken-the-train-from-alice-springs-to-uluru/673722 "2013-11-12T13:42:15Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 15\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Darth\_Panda](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ee7513/32.png) [@Darth\_Panda](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darth_Panda)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2013, 1:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-anyone-taken-the-train-from-alice-springs-to-uluru/673722/1 "2013-11-12T13:42:15Z")
I’m heading to Australia next September (yeah, I know… I like to plan ahead) and obviously want to include Uluru in the trip. My friend seems to think Alice Springs is worth checking out, so I was wondering if the train ride between the two is any fun (has good views, interesting stops, etc.). I’m not interested in driving between the two places (not at all, not even a little, I hate driving). So, I could either just skip Alice Springs, fly from there to Uluru (although I don’t love the idea of adding a flight), do the train, or find some other interesting mode of transport. Thoughts? ---
**Author:** ![Darryl\_Lict](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/7cd45c/32.png) [@Darryl\_Lict](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darryl_Lict)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2013, 5:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-anyone-taken-the-train-from-alice-springs-to-uluru/673722/2 "2013-11-12T17:59:32Z")
Doesn’t look like there is a train from Alice Springs to Uluru. [Australia Rail Map.](http://www.railmaps.com.au/) There certainly wasn’t one when I was there in 2002. Alice Springs is a dull little town, and not worth spending a whole lot of time. There’s lots of tour buses that go to Uluru from there. The Ghan seems like an awesome train, but I love trains. Unfortunately, I flew from Adelaide to Alice Springs. Uluru is world class spectacular. I don’t think they let you climb it anymore as it upsets the aborigines. ---
**Author:** ![kambuckta](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/53a042/32.png) [@kambuckta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kambuckta)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2013, 7:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-anyone-taken-the-train-from-alice-springs-to-uluru/673722/3 "2013-11-12T19:17:57Z")
No train. No plane. The only way to get from Alice Springs to Uluru (about 400km) (if you don’t want to drive) is on one of the millions of bus-tours filled with tourists. And unless you like deserts, and I mean REAL deserts, it’s an extremely boring trip. Ain’t nothing between the Alice and the hulking great rock sticking up outta the ground. And yes, **Darryl Lict** is correct. You’re not allowed to climb the rock any more due to its spiritual significance to our indigenous people. ---
**Author:** ![Darth\_Panda](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ee7513/32.png) [@Darth\_Panda](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darth_Panda)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2013, 7:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-anyone-taken-the-train-from-alice-springs-to-uluru/673722/4 "2013-11-12T19:46:18Z")
Thanks guys, it looks like there’s a little confusion here - on my part and perhaps some others. I think there are definitely flights there based on what I’ve seen: > [@](#): > > Ayers Rock (Connellan) airport is around 15km north of the rock, and services the resort town of Yulara. Both major carriers Qantas [8] and Virgin Australia [9] fly there. There are direct flights from Alice Springs, Cairns, Sydney, and Perth. > … > Flights from Alice Springs cost around $135 upwards with Qantas. > **[Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park - Wikitravel](https://wikitravel.org/en/Uluru-Kata_Tjuta_National_Park)** > > Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park \[https://parksaustralia.gov.au/uluru/\] is a park in the southern portion of the Northern Territory of Australia, part of the so-called Red Centre of the continent. The National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage area. It... (Kayak also lists the flights on their site) I thought there was a train because of this: [https://www.greatsouthernrail.com.au/site/the\_ghan/tours/alice\_springs/alice\_springs\_uluru\_transfers.jsp](https://www.greatsouthernrail.com.au/site/the_ghan/tours/alice_springs/alice_springs_uluru_transfers.jsp) but on closer look, it’s just a coach service from Alice Spring to Uluru offered _by_ the railway, not on the _railway_. Bummer, I like trains. That said, if Alice Springs isn’t all that, I can think of plenty of other things I’d like to do in Australia (huge country, only 12 days or so). If anyone else has thoughts on whether I should just skip Alice - please do tell 🙂 eta: this is why I plan 10 months in advance, to make sure the things in question actually exist… ---
**Author:** ![kambuckta](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/53a042/32.png) [@kambuckta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kambuckta)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2013, 8:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-anyone-taken-the-train-from-alice-springs-to-uluru/673722/5 "2013-11-12T20:11:56Z")
My apologies over the flight issue. But I would check that it allows you to fly in and out in a day rather than be part of a package which would include accommodation at Yulara. Otherwise, still means you’d be based at Alice Springs, which is a fairly mundane town in itself. If you’re only here for 12 days, I’d actually skip central Australia altogether. I guess you’re flying into Sydney: I’d spend a few days exploring that city perhaps with a day trip out to the Blue Mountains (west). Then I’d fly down to Melbourne to do the same there. From Melb, I’d scoot straight up to Cairns (Far North Queensland) to experience the Great Barrier Reef and the delights of a tropical environment. Seriously, (and depending upon your budget) you’re going to be run off your feet just doing those three. Are you just a regular tourist, or are there particular things that ‘tickle your fancy’ that might impact your itinerary? ---
**Author:** ![blondebear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blondebear/32/1022_2.png) [@blondebear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blondebear)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2013, 8:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-anyone-taken-the-train-from-alice-springs-to-uluru/673722/6 "2013-11-12T20:16:19Z")
I flew in to Alice Springs, spent the night and then drove to Uluru (with a stopover at the King’s Canyon Resort). It’s a dusty tourist center with a couple of things to see that you could do in half a day. I don’t think you’ll miss anything by skipping Alice and flying directly to Uluru…unless (as noted above) you like long drives through featureless desert. ---
**Author:** ![stpauler](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9d8465/32.png) [@stpauler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stpauler)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2013, 8:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-anyone-taken-the-train-from-alice-springs-to-uluru/673722/7 "2013-11-12T20:27:03Z")
> [@kambuckta](#): > > No train. No plane. The only way to get from Alice Springs to Uluru (about 400km) (if you don’t want to drive) is on one of the millions of bus-tours filled with tourists. > > And unless you like deserts, and I mean REAL deserts, it’s an extremely boring trip. Ain’t nothing between the Alice and the hulking great rock sticking up outta the ground. And yes, **Darryl Lict** is correct. You’re not allowed to climb the rock any more due to its spiritual significance to our indigenous people. [This makes it sound like yes, you can climb, but you really shouldn’t for a lot of reasons.](http://www.parksaustralia.gov.au/uluru/plan/we-dont-climb.html) > [@](#): > > The climb is not prohibited but we ask you to respect our law and culture by not climbing Uluru. We have a responsibility to teach and safeguard visitors to our land. The climb can be dangerous. Too many people have died while attempting to climb Uluru. Many others have been injured while climbing. We feel great sadness when a person dies or is hurt on our land. We worry about you and we worry about your family. Our traditional law teaches us the proper way to behave. The climb is physically demanding. Do not attempt it if you have high or low blood pressure, heart problems, breathing problems, a fear of heights or if you are not fit. - > Closures for your safety For your safety, there are times that the climb is always closed. Overnight In summer (December, January and February) from 8.00 am From 8.00 am if the forecasted temperature at 5.00 pm the day before is 36 degrees Celsius or above. ---
**Author:** ![blondebear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blondebear/32/1022_2.png) [@blondebear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blondebear)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2013, 8:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-anyone-taken-the-train-from-alice-springs-to-uluru/673722/8 "2013-11-12T20:27:45Z")
(missed the edit window) If you do decide to drive from Alice to The Rock, make sure to check out the giant echidna and frill-necked lizard at the Erldunda travel stop! ---
**Author:** ![Darth\_Panda](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ee7513/32.png) [@Darth\_Panda](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darth_Panda)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2013, 8:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-anyone-taken-the-train-from-alice-springs-to-uluru/673722/9 "2013-11-12T20:39:14Z")
> [@kambuckta](#): > > My apologies over the flight issue. But I would check that it allows you to fly in and out in a day rather than be part of a package which would include accommodation at Yulara. Otherwise, still means you’d be based at Alice Springs, which is a fairly mundane town in itself. No apology necessary - You can fly in, but if you stay there you’ll be at the very pricey hotels in Yulara (I can deal with that for a night or two, I’m getting to Australia using miles). > [@kambuckta](#): > > If you’re only here for 12 days, I’d actually skip central Australia altogether. Interesting - I don’t think I can skip Uluru. I know I’d regret it, but based on your comments I’m definitely thinking I’ll skip Alice Springs and just do a quick Yulara thing. > [@kambuckta](#): > > I guess you’re flying into Sydney: I’d spend a few days exploring that city perhaps with a day trip out to the Blue Mountains (west). Then I’d fly down to Melbourne to do the same there. From Melb, I’d scoot straight up to Cairns (Far North Queensland) to experience the Great Barrier Reef and the delights of a tropical environment. I’m flying both into and out of Sydney and was thinking the Blue Mountains look really good. The Reef is definitely one of primary goals for the trip and I’m debating betwen between doing a 3 day live aboard boat trip or maybe something around the Whitsunday Islands. I’d love to go to Melbourne but was thinking of skipping just because of time constraints. I’ve heard great things about Kakadu - any thoughts about trying to do Darwin compared to melbourne? > [@kambuckta](#): > > Seriously, (and depending upon your budget) you’re going to be run off your feet just doing those three. Are you just a regular tourist, or are there particular things that ‘tickle your fancy’ that might impact your itinerary? Budget isn’t too much of a problem, I’ll be travelling by myself and should be able to use some miles for intra-australia flights and some points for hotels (not everything, but some). ‘Tickle my fancy’ is definitely nature stuff plus a few nice meals. I’m usually a big museum guy, but I’m not sure that would be my focus for this trip. Thanks for all the feedback! ---
**Author:** ![Darth\_Panda](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ee7513/32.png) [@Darth\_Panda](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darth_Panda)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2013, 8:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-anyone-taken-the-train-from-alice-springs-to-uluru/673722/10 "2013-11-12T20:40:30Z")
> [@stpauler](#): > > [This makes it sound like yes, you can climb, but you really shouldn’t for a lot of reasons.](http://www.parksaustralia.gov.au/uluru/plan/we-dont-climb.html) That’s what I heard - I won’t climb it, out of respect for the indigenous folks’ wishes. ---
**Author:** ![kambuckta](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/53a042/32.png) [@kambuckta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kambuckta)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2013, 8:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-anyone-taken-the-train-from-alice-springs-to-uluru/673722/11 "2013-11-12T20:46:26Z")
> [@Darth\_Panda](#): > > I’d love to go to Melbourne but was thinking of skipping just because of time constraints. I’ve heard great things about Kakadu - any thoughts about trying to do Darwin compared to melbourne? Darwin itself is like a big country town, whereas Melbourne is a city of about 5million people. If it’s nature you’re after, then head to Darwin and you can use that as your ‘base’ to go east to Kakadu, and with a bit of luck maybe a tour of (some) parts of the Kimberley region (west). Can I come too? 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Darth\_Panda](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ee7513/32.png) [@Darth\_Panda](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darth_Panda)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2013, 8:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-anyone-taken-the-train-from-alice-springs-to-uluru/673722/12 "2013-11-12T20:51:15Z")
> [@blondebear](#): > > I flew in to Alice Springs, spent the night and then drove to Uluru (with a stopover at the King’s Canyon Resort). It’s a dusty tourist center with a couple of things to see that you could do in half a day. I don’t think you’ll miss anything by skipping Alice and flying directly to Uluru…unless (as noted above) you like long drives through featureless desert. I thinking skip it is the way to go… unless my buddy can come up with a damn good reason not to. ---
**Author:** ![Darryl\_Lict](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/7cd45c/32.png) [@Darryl\_Lict](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darryl_Lict)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2013, 8:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-anyone-taken-the-train-from-alice-springs-to-uluru/673722/13 "2013-11-12T20:58:23Z")
It’s interesting that you can still climb Uluru. When I was there in 2002 they discouraged it, but many, if not most people still did it. They claimed that in two or three years they were going to ban it altogether, so I figured it was my last chance to ever do it, so I went ahead and climbed it despite the concerns of the indigenous peoples. It’s really spectacular and it’s unfortunate that it causes such grief to the native people. It’s interesting that they couch it in terms of concerns over death and injury to hikers. I was under the impression that it was a holy place and that only one spiritual leader a year had previously climbed it. Once westerners showed up, they pretty much abused the place, much to the dismay of the locals. It is, however, a fairly sketchy hike. It gets windy as all fuck and I’d put it in the same category of difficulty as Half Dome in Yosemite. ---
**Author:** ![muldoonthief](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muldoonthief/32/3188_2.png) [@muldoonthief](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/muldoonthief)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2013, 9:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-anyone-taken-the-train-from-alice-springs-to-uluru/673722/14 "2013-11-12T21:06:55Z")
> [@kambuckta](#): > > I guess you’re flying into Sydney: I’d spend a few days exploring that city perhaps with a day trip out to the Blue Mountains (west). Then I’d fly down to Melbourne to do the same there. From Melb, I’d scoot straight up to Cairns (Far North Queensland) to experience the Great Barrier Reef and the delights of a tropical environment. > > Seriously, (and depending upon your budget) you’re going to be run off your feet just doing those three. Are you just a regular tourist, or are there particular things that ‘tickle your fancy’ that might impact your itinerary? We did our honeymoon in Australia 15 years ago, and our itinerary over 3 weeks was Sydney, Cairns, Tasmania, Melbourne, home. Fantastic trip, but damn near killed us. I’d say 3 destinations in 12 days is plenty. > [@Darth\_Panda](#): > > I’m flying both into and out of Sydney and was thinking the Blue Mountains look really good. The Reef is definitely one of primary goals for the trip and I’m debating betwen between doing a 3 day live aboard boat trip or maybe something around the Whitsunday Islands. We did a 3 day liveaboard trip out of Cairns, and without exaggeration, it was probably the most memorable experience of my life. We got lucky with the weather, and dove a few sites the Captain said they usually aren’t able to go to. You have to be a dedicated diver (4 dives/day for 3 days isn’t for pikers), but I’d strongly recommend a liveaboard instead of day boats off land. ---
**Author:** ![Duckster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/duckster/32/1244_2.png) [@Duckster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duckster)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2013, 9:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-anyone-taken-the-train-from-alice-springs-to-uluru/673722/15 "2013-11-12T21:08:03Z")
If you are set on the Alice and Uluru, add Chamber’s Pillar and Rainbow Valley (4WD only access) to your potential visit list. Just don’t expect the Flying Doctors to fly over when you do. 🙂