MELBOURNE TO ULURU / AYERS ROCK
The distance from Melbourne to Uluru/Ayers Rock is 1170 miles -- about the same as New York City to New Orleans. Over half a million people visit each year. Besides making a long drive from one of Australia's major cities, there's only one other way to get there: Qantas. The only commercial airline that flies to Ayers Rock Airport, Australia's flagship carrier offers daily service from Perth, Sydney, Cairns and Alice Springs. They fly four times a week from Melbourne. The flight took just under three hours, and the packed plane was a 737-400. The flight was really smooth, and at the very end -- when we flew over Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park � was very scenic. If you fly Qantas be sure to pack light, because they have strict baggage weight limits. Domestic economy class passengers are allowed to check only one bag, up to 70 pounds, which is pretty good -- but carryon bags can't weigh more than 15 pounds. That's not a lot, especially if you bring as much crap as I do on a plane. My computer bag weighed only a pound over the limit. Still, they made me put some of those belongings into my checked bag, and separate other stuff into another bag (I bought a cheap sack for $3 from the gift shop). Qantas: tel.: 800-369-6863 (or 1-800-DOWNUNDER).

TIME CHANGE
Just after we landed, the flight attendant said the time change for the Northern Territory is 30 minutes behind Melbourne. She said it so nonchalantly, like it was no big deal. Australians might not think a 30-minute time change is much, but to me (and probably the rest of the world) it's huge. I'd never heard of such a thing -- a 30-minute time change?! (South Australia has the same time difference.)

IS IT JUST A ROCK?
I had heard many mixed opinions on Uluru/Ayers Rock. Those who hadn't visited said it's just a rock, while those who had seen it said it's so much more. They even went so far as to say that if you haven't been to the "Red Center," you haven't really been to Australia. I don't agree with the last statement, because that's like saying if you haven't seen the Grand Canyon, you haven't been to America. But now that I have been to Uluru, I agree it is a very special place.

WEATHER
It's a desert climate. The average high temperatures range from 66� F in July to 97 in January. Especially during winter, nights and mornings can get quite cool, so pack appropriate warm clothing. But don't forget sunscreen, a hat and solid walking shoes. For more click HERE.