Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
accommodations are rustic, roomy log cabins; there are also basic quad-share
bunkhouses, with shared bathrooms, and shady campgrounds with a general store.
The whitewashed original homestead has been converted to a restaurant with
Edwardian furniture, open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner at moderate prices.
Entry to the homestead, its rustic restaurant and bar, the barbecue, four bush-
walking trails, and kangaroo enclosure is free (get feed for them from the sta-
bles); so are the pool and Jacuzzi if you patronize the bar or restaurant. The
resort ended up being closed for most of 2003—it was rented out to a private
guest—but it should reopen sometime in 2004.
Ross Hwy., 86km (53 miles) east of Alice Springs (P.O. Box 3271), Alice Springs, NT 0871. & 1800/241 711
in Australia, or 08/8956 9711. Fax 08/8956 9823. www.rossriverresort.com.au. 48 units, 30 with bathroom
(shower only). A$125 (US$81) double; family of 4 A$150 (US$98); bunkhouse quad-share adults A$33
(US$21), with linen, without linen adults A$22 (US$14). Extra person A$30 (US$20). Unpowered campsite
A$10 (US$6.50) per adult; powered campsite A$15 (US$9.75) per adult. Lower rates for kids in bunkhouses
and campgrounds. AE, DC, MC, V. Coach transfers from Alice Springs A$110 (US$72) per person, round-trip.
Pets are not accepted except in campground if they are kept on a leash at all times. Amenities: Restaurant;
bar; small unheated outdoor pool; Jacuzzi. In room: A/C, fridge, tea and coffeemaker, no phone.
4 Kings Canyon ¡
Anyone who saw the movie The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert will
remember the stony plateau the transvestites climb to gaze over the plain below.
You can stand on that same spot (wearing sequined underpants is optional) at
Kings Canyon in Watarrka National Park ( & 08/8956 7460 for park
headquarters). As the crow flies, it is 320km (198 miles) southwest of Alice
Springs. The sandstone walls of the canyon drop about 100m (330 ft.) to rock
pools and centuries-old gum trees. There is little to do except walk the dramatic
canyon rim for a sense of the peaceful emptiness of the Australian Outback.
GETTING THERE No regular flights operate, but Ayers Rock Scenic Flights
( & 08/8956 2345 ) does an aerial day trip from Ayers Rock Resort that incor-
porates a guided canyon walk at A$425 (US$276) per adult, A$390 (US$254)
per child 3 to 12.
Greyhound Pioneer ( & 13 20 30 in Australia) and coach tour company
AAT Kings ( & 08/8952 1700 in Alice Springs, or 08/8956 2171 in Ayers
Rock) make daily transfers from Ayers Rock; Greyhound's fare is about A$54
(US$35) one-way.
Numerous coach and four-wheel-drive tour outfits call at Kings Canyon
from Alice Springs or Ayers Rock, with time allowed for the rim walk. See
“Exploring the Red Centre,” at the beginning of this chapter, for recommended
companies.
With a four-wheel-drive, you can get to Kings Canyon from Alice Springs on
the unpaved Mereenie Loop Road.
The regular route is the 480km (349-mile) trip from Alice Springs south via
the Stuart Highway, then west onto the Lasseter Highway, then north and west
on the Luritja Road. All three roads are paved. Ayers Rock/Uluru is 306km (190
miles) to the south on a paved road; from Yulara, take the Lasseter Highway east
for 125km (78 miles), then turn left onto Luritja Road for 168km (104 miles)
to Kings Canyon Resort. The resort sells leaded and unleaded petrol and diesel.
Uluru Motorcycle Tours ( & 08/8956 2019; www.ozemail.com.au/~uluru
harleys) will take you there on a 1-day tour via Harley Davidson from Ayers
Rock Resort, with you as a passenger or driving.
 
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