A couple of weeks ago I asked fellow adbrits for some advice regarding our short trip to Aires Rock. Well, we are back and this is a few comments about our experience.

Thanks again to those of you on here that gave me some great tips about accommodation and the journey up there.
We only had a 5 day break as we had guests coming to stay in our rental, so only had a small window of opportunity to get there and back in time.

We began our journey on Saturday at 3pm. We would have liked to have set off earlier in the day but again work commitments meant that this was the only time we could get away.
We headed straight for Coober Pedy. I pre booked a room at Coober Pedy Underground Experience Hotel which was recommended by an adbrit on here. It cost $160 for the night but was well worth it as it really is great sleeping under ground in the cave rooms.
We got to the hotel at midnight, so a good 9 hour drive from Adelaide.

I really wouldn’t recommend driving on the outback roads after the sun goes down. Roo’s and cattle are on the roads, as the surface is still warm for them. We had a few close misses but saw a lot of road kill due to the road trains that don’t stop for anything.

The next day we drove to Aires Rock. It took us another 8 hours to get there. I was very impressed though at the quality resort at Aires rock. We stayed at the campsite and the facilities were top notch. Just a short walk away was the resort local pub which had entertainment on and you could buy your steaks and cook them on a huge BBQ.

Aires Rock itself was amazing to see. More than a big red rock for sure. We took so many photos especially when the sun was setting, the shadows and colours were spectacular. Ian climbed it. It took him 2 hours there and back. He’s quite fit but was knackered by the end. The flies there too, really got on my nerves. I saw a girl with a corks swinging from her hat and was quite envious of her fashion faux paux. I sooo wished I’d bought one too.

We stayed for 2 nights at the campsite. It cost $30 to pitch a tent. There were huge fridges you could put your food in whilst you went out for the day, which at first I thought was a great idea. But unfortunately my great faith in man kind costs us a huge slab of steak, as it was pinched from the fridge!!!

The journey back was just as good. We went further past Coober Pedy this time (Glendambo) and ended up at a motel costing $70 for a budget room. Ian spent a couple of hours drinking with the locals whilst Tom and I went to bed for an early night. The whole town only had 20 people living there and Ian must have talked to half of them that night.

So all in all, I’d recommend the trip. The road journey was loooooonnnngggg but we loved the outback and seeing the changing landscape. However, when my parents come over I’ll be taking them via train or plane as I don’t think I’ll be able to stand my dad pointing out yet another Roo at me.

Judi x

I think you will find that was called AYERS ROCK or now known as ULURU....... ;) mm

I'm glad you had a good time. It may have been me who recommended the Experience Motel at Coober Pedy. Not much to look at from the outside is it? I've also stayed at Glendambo, it's an interesting place as well.

Hi judi, sounds like you had fun, think we will fly as I get bored easily and the drive sounds loooonnnnnnnggggggg
jacqui

I did the trip a few months ago. The rock really is fabulous. I'm sending my parents there and am gonna book them a hire car to drive there then fly back. The outback is pretty uninteresting on the way home, (great the other way.) At the risk of sounding like a whinging pom, I would say take an eskey with some nice sandwiches and salads in it as the food at the roadside places is just foul. Anyone done The Great Ocean Road? and what was the food like?