AYERS ROCK (ULURU) NT

  I have seen "The Rock" many times on TV and in magazines etc so I was surprised that it was a bit of a let down. Huge it is (11kms in circumference) with a surface far more weathered than you would imagine and very steep sided. People were of course climbing it (which is legal but frowned upon due to the erosion it causes). It just didn't inspire me like the Devil's Marbles did. Maybe because there is a Resort here at Yulara nearby and therefore everything is commercialised and expensive. First it starts with a 3 day pass to get into the Conservation Area at $25 per head. In my opinion ALL our national treasures should be free to the public. Inside the Reserve, there is an Aboriginal Cultural Centre next to the Rock with a few free things to look at and a big souvenir shop of course. I was "Rocked" out after about an hour, so went back to Yulara, a Township I thought it to be. Not so, just the "Ayers Rock Resort" with an IGA store within the grounds, a couple of Cafes where Hamburgers cost $18 and a cup of Coffee,$5.50. I needed to top up with fuel and settled for only 20 litres at $2.25. Was this a rip off or am I merely a winger.
 To sum up Ayers Rock surely is a must see. Once is enough for me though and I doubt that I would do the 700k trip from Alice again. I must also mention Mt Conner that can be seen in the distance about half way to Uluru. It is often mistaken for The Rock by travellers since it has an imposing presence being 4 times larger and around 42 kms in circumference.
  From here it's back to Curtin Springs and then on to the Sturt Hwy. Turn right at Erldunda Roadhouse and thence to Coober Pedy, the next Town, 500 kms to the south.Yep it's a long way between drinks out here folks!

Mt Conner

A strange formation  between the road and the mountain