Australia · 14 days · 2,900 km · One-way

Red Centre — Adelaide to Alice Springs via Uluru

The road trip to the heart of Australia. South Australian Outback crossings, Lake Eyre from the air, underground Coober Pedy, Uluru at sunrise and a finish in Alice Springs. A 4WD adds safety for the detours.

Start: Adelaide · End: Alice Springs · May to September. Warm days, cool nights, no rain. · Difficulty: moderate

Highlights

  • Flinders Ranges (Wilpena Pound)
  • Coober Pedy (underground town)
  • Uluru at sunrise and sunset
  • Kata Tjuta (Olgas) Valley of the Winds
  • Kings Canyon Rim Walk
  • West MacDonnell Ranges

Day-by-day itinerary

  1. Day 1

    Adelaide → Hawker (Flinders Ranges)

    Adelaide → Hawker · 410 km

    • · Heading into the outback
    • · Clare Valley wines en route

    Overnight: Hawker Caravan Park

  2. Day 2

    Flinders Ranges (Wilpena Pound)

    Hawker → Wilpena Pound · 60 km

    • · Scenic flight over Wilpena Pound
    • · St Mary Peak hike

    Overnight: Wilpena Pound Resort Campground

  3. Day 3

    Wilpena → Marree

    Wilpena Pound → Marree · 360 km

    • · Start of the Oodnadatta Track (4WD)
    • · Lake Eyre scenic flight (optional)

    Overnight: Marree Hotel Caravan Park

  4. Day 4

    Marree → Coober Pedy

    Marree → Coober Pedy · 410 km

    • · Coober Pedy underground homes
    • · Opal mine tour

    Overnight: Riba's Underground Camping

  5. Day 5

    Coober Pedy → Cadney Park

    Coober Pedy → Cadney Park · 150 km

    • · Rest and resupply day

    Overnight: Cadney Homestead Caravan Park

  6. Day 6

    Cadney Park → Yulara (Uluru)

    Cadney Park → Yulara · 470 km

    • · Crossing into the Northern Territory
    • · First sunset at Uluru

    Overnight: Ayers Rock Campground

  7. Day 7

    Uluru — full day

    Yulara · 50 km

    • · Sunrise at Uluru
    • · Base Walk (10 km)
    • · Aboriginal Cultural Centre

    Overnight: Ayers Rock Campground

  8. Day 8

    Yulara → Kings Canyon

    Yulara → Kings Canyon · 320 km

    • · Kata Tjuta Valley of the Winds (3 hours)
    • · Drive to Watarrka

    Overnight: Kings Canyon Resort Campground

  9. Day 9

    Kings Canyon Rim Walk

    Kings Canyon

    • · Rim Walk at sunrise (6 km, 4 hours)

    Overnight: Kings Canyon Resort Campground

  10. Day 10

    Kings Canyon → Alice Springs

    Kings Canyon → Alice Springs · 470 km

    • · Mereenie Loop (4WD required, permit needed)
    • · Arrival in Alice

    Overnight: G'day Mate Tourist Park

  11. Day 11

    West MacDonnell Ranges (day 1)

    Alice Springs → Glen Helen · 130 km

    • · Simpsons Gap
    • · Standley Chasm at midday
    • · Ellery Creek Big Hole (swim)

    Overnight: Glen Helen Lodge

  12. Day 12

    West MacDonnell (day 2)

    Glen Helen → Alice Springs · 140 km

    • · Ormiston Gorge
    • · Redbank Gorge

    Overnight: G'day Mate Tourist Park

  13. Day 13

    Alice Springs (full day)

    Alice Springs

    • · Royal Flying Doctor Service
    • · Anzac Hill at sunset
    • · Dinner along Todd Mall

    Overnight: G'day Mate Tourist Park

  14. Day 14

    Drop-off in Alice Springs

    Alice Springs

    • · Vehicle drop-off

Recommended brands for this route

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