by Les Scammell

Created on: November 21, 2010

When considering holiday destinations there is often a misconception as to where you should base your holiday. This is one such misconception. Uluru, or Ayers Rock as it is commonly referred to, is over five hours drive from Alice Springs. The reality is, you should plan to make both bases for holiday. If you travel by car from South Australia, then make Uluru your first base. If you travel from the north, then Alice Springs should be your first base.

Both places offer much for any tourist. However, Uluru is expensive so only plan for two or three nights at the most. It is not your typical tourist destination in that it's a resort in the middle of nowhere. There are no supermarkets, thriving hotels or discos, or a variety of restaurants - here, the rock is the center of attention. Ayers Rock has to be seen at both dawn and dusk to really appreciate it's size and beauty.It doesn't matter how many pictures you see of Ayers Rock, nothing will prepare you for that first sight - it really is awe inspiring. Ayers Rock is the largest single rock in the world and if you think it's large from the outside, just remember that, like an iceberg, only 1/3rd is above ground so in total size, the rock is three times larger than what you can see.

If you think Ayers Rock is inspiring, then a 50 kilometer day trip further west to the Olgas is even more so. The indigenous people of the area refer to these as Kata Tjuta, meaning many heads, for that is what they look like. The Olgas are a spectacular group of 36 huge red rocky outcrops filled with narrow valleys, the highest standing at over 500 meters and covering 35 square kilometers. While it is only 50 kilometers from Ayers Rock, it too should be seen early in the morning and late in the afternoon - take a decent picnic lunch with you.

In contrast to Uluru, Alice Springs is a hive of activity. Like any large service city Alice Springs has a range of hotels, restaurants and accommodation options that will suit all budgets. Alice Springs also boasts a well appointed casino which includes accommodation and great dining.  Heavitree Gap Resort is an interesting place to stay. Every evening a colony of Black Footed Wallabies descend on the lodge looking for guests to provide them with food. You can purchase small bags of food that suitable for these wallabies from the resort office - it's certainly a novelty for kids.

Alice Springs is the perfect base for tours to the west. You can visit Kings Canyon, Standley Chasm and Simpsons Gap. Along the way stop off at the picturesque waterholes at Ellery Creek Big Hole, Ormiston Gorge, Glen Helen Gorge and Redbank Gorge. In Alice Springs itself you can visit the Old Telegraph Station, the Alice Springs Reptile Park and the Aboriginal Art and Cultural Center. You will need allocate at least week if you want to see all that Alice Springs has to offer.

When touring Australia's red center, don't ask whether you should base yourself in Uluru or Alice Springs - there is so much to see and do from each that you are better off making them both a base.

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