When did Uluru move to Alice Springs

[markis10]

This article by no news seems to indicate that Uluru was something of a lovers lane for Alice Springs teenagers, given its a 440km drive one way it does not sound like a local thing to me!

Angry local tears a strip off Uluru's exotic dancer | The Australian

"THERE was a time not so long ago when young lovers in Alice Springs thought nothing of demonstrating their affections for each other atop Ayers Rock.

It was a local thing, an Outback variation of the Mile High Club if you like."


Considering it was written by their New York correspondent, perhaps we can forgive them this small oversight ! One wonders how many future bookings in Alice springs for hire cars will be made by US citizens looking to head to Uluru as a day trip!

 

[serfty]

Don't you believe it - young residents of remotish/outback communities think nothing of driving hours for such.

As an example, I remember having a meal at a Nullarbor road house one Saturday evening. Two of the staff were to knock off at 9pm and drive ~250km on dirt roads to an engagement party.

They had to be back at work 8am the next day. :shock:

 

[UP4014]

While not far for country people (I've driven 1100 each way for a B&S ball) Alice to Ayers in a Veyron could be quick.

 

[harvyk]

Considering it was written by their New York correspondent, perhaps we can forgive them this small oversight ! One wonders how many future bookings in Alice springs for hire cars will be made by US citizens looking to head to Uluru as a day trip!

In the good ole days of no speed limits, it could be done... These days with the 130km/h limits it would be pushing it...

Me thinks however that the writer has never actually been to Australia, or done the trip between the two places...

 

[hollydavid69]

I had always wanted to go the NT because for a long time they never had a speed limit :shock:.
& since someone had a brain freeze & imposed a speed limit in the Territory i now have no reason to visit :!:.

 

[markis10]

I had always wanted to go the NT because for a long time they never had a speed limit :shock:.
& since someone had a brain freeze & imposed a speed limit in the Territory i now have no reason to visit :!:.

Not only that, they have the double purpose speed/red light cameras, I counted 4 on the way from the airport to the CBD tonight!

 

[nlagalle]

In the good ole days of no speed limits, it could be done... These days with the 130km/h limits it would be pushing it...

Me thinks however that the writer has never actually been to Australia, or done the trip between the two places...

I can assure you the writer is from Australia....

 

[medhead]

Just to add the article doesn't say that they do the drive every night of the week. It implies more of a special occasion. Certainly someone living in that area would think nothing of driving that for a special event. When I lived in the bush, we even drove 200+km on dirt for dinner. And about 350km on way on bitumen for a day trip.

I had always wanted to go the NT because for a long time they never had a speed limit :shock:.
& since someone had a brain freeze & imposed a speed limit in the Territory i now have no reason to visit :!:.

Having driven Darwin to Jabiru at an average speed of about 180 kph (while obeying the speed limits in darwin). I can tell you that it was one of the most stupid things I have ever done.

Not only that, they have the double purpose speed/red light cameras, I counted 4 on the way from the airport to the CBD tonight!

The territory CBDs have always had speed limits.

 

[markis10]

The territory CBDs have always had speed limits.

But not the speed cameras that I mentioned, which was in the same piece of legislation that took away the lack of restriction on open road speeds and added demerit points for NT licence holders in 2007.

Yes, country people think nothing about driving long distances but rarely for a shag on a rock so to speak, in fact I would think you would hard pressed to find any Alice Springs residents that would consider Uluru local, even prior to 2007. What you have here is a journalist portraying Uluru as being in Alice Springs back yard, when it clearly is not.

 

[medhead]

But not the speed cameras that I mentioned, which was in the same piece of legislation that took away the lack of restriction on open road speeds and added demerit points for NT licence holders in 2007.

In the context of no speed limits, not really linked. But I now understand what you meant.

Yes, country people think nothing about driving long distances but rarely for a shag on a rock so to speak, in fact I would think you would hard pressed to find any Alice Springs residents that would consider Uluru local, even prior to 2007. What you have here is a journalist portraying Uluru as being in Alice Springs back yard, when it clearly is not.

It is all relative, if you live there and are used to doing the distances, then I would say that you would think that it is just down the road. It is certainly more local that anywhere else in Australia. While 440 km is at the limit for me, I would have probably driven that far for a shag.

 

[Reggie]

It is all relative, if you live there and are used to doing the distances, then I would say that you would think that it is just down the road. It is certainly more local that anywhere else in Australia. While 440 km is at the limit for me, I would have probably driven that far for a shag.

Your talking in past tense, I would still drive 440km for a shag, and if I thought I could get away with it, I would fly from PER to say I have I done it. I still haven't convinced SWMBO to join the mile high club.

 

[medhead]

Your talking in past tense, I would still drive 440km for a shag, and if I thought I could get away with it, I would fly from PER to say I have I done it. I still haven't convinced SWMBO to join the mile high club.

There is a good reason I'm talking in past tense. SWMBO! mile high club and the rock club are definitely out.

 

[harvyk]

I can assure you the writer is from Australia....

Ah, but have they done the trip between the two places? I've met a few Australian's who do not know the distance between Uluru and Alice Springs...