What a great trip report! ^
Even though I live in Australia for 24 years, I still have not been to Uluru. It is definitely something I need to do, especially with you beautiful pictures!
Surprised that you got the new Sydney trains from airport! Most of time I got the old crusty ones!
I never knew KE is getting that much better. I think I should try KE sometime (I did try OZ J a number of times and it was great). I have been flying *A mostly, then OW airlines. Need to figure out a good mile program to redeem KE awards.
BTW, as a person who lived in Chicago for 7 months 10 years back, I missed Chicago when I saw your Chicago pictures.