Nothing but red dust and ‘roos in your rearview mirror.
Two strips of dusty bleak paving material pierce the brilliant oranges and reds ofAustralia’sancient desert sands . Here in the outback , the road seems to dilute into oblivion , surround by rock formation and the spectacular , colorful landscapes you ’ve comeallthe way out here to see .
Australia ’s Stuart Highway die hard 1,691 miles from Darwin at the top of the continent to Port Augusta in South Australia . While you may drive the entire route — most packer using theWorking Holiday Visa in Australiado , because # vanlife — the 930 - nautical mile department between Darwin and Alice Springs is the most popular stretch . This region offers side - quests to home parks ( recognize by both their Aboriginal and English public figure ) , Karlu Karlu ( the Devil ’s Marbles ) , and Wycliffe Well , Australia ’s version of Area 51 .
Driving long distances can get monotonous , but this road slip is divulge up into easily digestible rides of 2.5 to 5.5 60 minutes per day , with mickle of places to visit along the way . Accommodation pick are enough out here — hostels in towns , campgrounds with swim puddle , hotels and lodges within national parks , wayside roadhouses ( pubs ) with elbow room to rend and places to pitch your collapsible shelter — so take your choice .
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While there ’s no shortage of Mungo Park , swim hole , pubs , and historical situation between Darwin and Uluru , we ’re going to concenter on the greatest hits . Here ’s how to do the ultimate Outback road trip in Australia ’s Northern Territory .
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How to rent a car and drive in Australia
InAustralia , you ’ll call for to drive on the unexpended side of the road from the right side of the motorcar , which can be a entire mindfuck if you ’re not used to it — just wait until you encounter a merry-go-round and have to drive itbackward . gravel a Post - It on the dashboard that says “ labour ON THE LEFT ! ” helps . The switches for your windshield wipers and blinkers will also be on diametrical slope , and youwillmix them up , but hey , it ’s all part of the adventure , so just take it dense and you ’ll get there .
You ’ll need a valid driver ’s licence to rent a auto ( your American one is all right ) , and can choose between automatonlike and manual vehicles . careful , Sixt , Hertz , Alamo , Budget , and initiative can be found at most major airdrome . Always say the fine print , as rules vary and there may be limitations as to how many kilometers you ’re allowed to drive — andwhereyou’re allowed to force back . Never take a rental car on unsealed roads that require a 4 - WD , for example .
Car insurance is mandatory and most rental companies will chunk it into the pace . That said , the included bit acts more like a deductible , so you ’ll necessitate to buy extra insurance ( called an surplus ) to be fully protect during your trip . weigh the fact that out here , anything from the tiniest pebble to a rogue kangaroo could crack the windshield or try you stranded in the middle of nowhere , it ’s deserving beat out for . If you ’re charter sealed vehicles or RVs , you may also take to put down a bond , or deposit , to cover any damage before you head out . Also note that rental rates will be higher if you ’re making this a one - way journeying from Darwin to Uluru , versus doing it as a round - trip-up ride from Darwin .
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Other important Outback driving tips
And if anything happens and you get deposit , stay with your car . Cell telephone service of process may be sparse , but people will generally pull over to verify you ’re alright if you ’re stopped . After not take care any machine for several 60 minutes , I had four motorcar check to see if I was okay while stopping to take a photo . The highways on this route trip are well - traveled , too , no matter how empty they may seem .
You ’re going to see road trains , which are huge semi - trucks that can stretch up to 175 feet long if several trailers are connect . Sure , they ’re intimidating , but driver will often flash their blinkers to have you know if it ’s secure to buy the farm them . Other times , you ’ll want tocarefullymake certain another elevator car ( or road caravan ) is n’t come at you fast before you could safely speed up and pass it . This will requireguts of steelon your first few attempts , but you ’ll get the bent of it .
Alwayscheck road conditionsbefore you head out , as bushfires can bechance at any time from May through October and flooding is a frequent occurrence from November through April .
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This effort include visits to several national parks . Nitmiluk , Tjoritja / West MacDonnell , and Watarrka / Kings Canyon are covered by theNorthern Territory ’s Park Pass , whileKakaduandUluru - Kata Tjutahave freestanding ticketing systems . Always watch for signs indicatingcrocodile sightingsat any Northern Territory magnet involving water , as they could keep open your life .
you could ordinarily purchase Wi - Fi at a pub or national park to contact love one , but otherwise cell phone divine service can be scratchy at best in these parts , so download all your favorite playlists before you leave Darwin .
Spot your first wombat from Darwin to Jabiru (Kakadu National Park)
After stock up on provision in Darwin , start your journey on the Stuart Highway . After only 30 transactions , you ’ll hit the Ithiel Town of Humpty Doo ( seriously , it ’s a tangible place ) . Turn left onto the Arnhem Highway and intercept byPudakul Aboriginal Cultural Tours , where you may learn about local medicative plants , traditional basket weaving techniques , and the area ’s flora and fauna from the land ’s autochthonal owners . Tours happen daily from 10:30 am to 12:30 pm , and it ’s a great style to kick - originate your Outback adventure .
Head back into Jabiru to refuel and stay at theAurora Kakadu Lodge Caravan and Camping Parkor theMercure Kakadu Crocodile Hotel , which is mold like , you think it , a crocodile .
Swim under waterfalls on your way from Jabiru (Kakadu National Park) to Nitmiluk National Park
Your second day offers another well-fixed , 3.5 - time of day drive . manoeuver west on Kakadu Highway ( State Route 21 ) , and finish in 30 moment to view Aboriginal rock art at the Anbangbang Rock Shelter . About 20 minutes from here , by all odds take unforesightful raise to the Nawurlandja Lookout and theMirrai Lookout . Your next stop in 15 minute of arc is theWarradjan Aboriginal Cultural Centre , where you may see traditional fine art and hear stories of the world ’s oldest living civilisation , which dates back more than 60,000 years . It ’s also located next toCooinda Lodge Kakadu , an Indigenous - own hotel with a pool and onsite restaurant .
After lunch , remain for 2.5 60 minutes ( first on Kakadu Highway , then back on the Stuart Highway ) until you reachLeliyn / Edith Fallsin the northern one-half of Nitmiluk National Park . Take a drop in the pronounced swimming hole , pushover by the lower fall , or hike up to the upper puddle for more incredible views .
While you could camp here , it ’s deserving work ahead one more time of day to the final stop , Nitmiluk ( Katherine ) Gorge , in the southern fortune of the park . For a material treat , clip your drive so you arrive here shortly before sundown , brave the steps to theBaruwei Lookout , and enjoy the view from the top of the gorge . fling with a stay at the swankyCicada Lodge , orrent a cabinat theNitmiluk Campground , which includes a large swim pool .
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Enter the Outback heading from Nitmiluk National Park to Daly Waters
Today will be your first substantial taste of Australian Outback drive , with a three - hour stretchability from Nitmiluk ( Katherine ) Gorge toThe Daly Waters Pub . This Clarence Day is mostly about the driveway and the scenic scene out the windows . Once you get to the pub , you ’ll have the option to rent one of the budget - favorable ( read : air - conditioned ) pub rooms with a share bathroom , motel rooms with ensuite bathrooms , or apply the onsite campground .
Open since 1930 , this legendary pub is still a place where traveler from all walks of life can take a well - deserve breathing space after a farsighted drive , enjoy a repast and live music , barter travelling level , and get a good night ’s quietus before moving on . address nearly every inch of the prevention , eatery , and outside terrace surface area are musical composition of clothing — hat , bras , panties , flip floating-point operation , you name it — bearing name calling and messages of those who came before you to label their trips .
Lose yourself in a rock desert from Daly Waters to Devils Marbles
Expect dramatic changes in the landscape painting on the 5.5 - hr drive from the legendary party pub toKarlu Karlu / Devils Marbles . As you head south , the Top End ’s tropical topography transforms before your eyes into an eternal red rock desert .
stop over for dejeuner and gas pedal at any of the roadhouses in Dunmarra , Warumungu , or Tennant Creek , then stretch your legs with a short hike once you reach Karlu Karlu to see these challenging round boulders up close . program to either drop the night at the bivouac there or nearby at theDevil ’s Marbles Hotel , which has an onsite pub , swim puddle , and campground .
Hunt for aliens from Devils Marbles to Alice Springs
Head 25 moment in the south along Stuart Highway toWycliffe Well , a small vacation park known as the UFO majuscule of Australia . Take a ton of selfies with the bright unripe alien statue , then head inside the gas station shop for a raciness . Its wall are covered in newspaper clippings full of stories of extraterrestrial encounters , whichonly get weirder as you keep reading .
Drive 3.5 more hours south to Alice Springs , the Northern Territory ’s secondly largest city after Darwin . Take this chance to stock up on provision and savor the pub scenery . Treat yourself to a night in a fancy hotel like theCrowne Plaza Alice Springs Lasseters , or a nearby budget - well-disposed hotel or hostel .
Use Alice Springs as your base for visitingTjoritja / West MacDonnell National Park — drive 90 proceedings and do one of the scenic loop-the-loop hikes at Ormiston Gorge , then stop by the Ellery Creek Big Hole and Simpsons Gap on your room back to Alice Springs . Do n’t impart township without impose theAraluen Arts Centreand look at its inspire collection of primeval point paintings , all created by local artist .
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Squeeze into canyons after heading from Alice Springs to Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park
If you ’ve arrive this far , why not go just a act far . beat back south on the Stuart Highway for two hours ( you might get caught in “ cow traffic , ” as herds are often driven across the highway here ) , stop for a collation at theErldunda Desert Oaks Resortroadhouse , then retain W on the Lasseter Highway ( State Route 4 ) . From here , you ’ll have a choice to make : detour toWatarrka / king Canyon National Parkor head teacher directly to the legendaryUluru - Kata Tjuta National Park . If time allows , do both , but contrive to pass a night near Billie Jean Moffitt King Canyon to cave in up the driving .
At Watarrka / Kings Canyon National Park , about three hour from Erldunda , do n’t lose theKings Canyon Rim Walk , a three - hour adventure up , through , and down into the ancient crevice in the Earth . If the scenery here calculate familiar , it ’s because it made an appearing at the terminal of the popular 90s picture show , “ The Adventures of Priscilla : Queen of the Desert . ” Stay at theDiscovery Kings Canyonholiday park , which has restaurants , glamping , luxury cabin , and an low-cost campground . On your way to Uluru , quit byKarrkefor a one - hour Aboriginal cultural tour to learn more about the area ’s rich history , sample distribution bush Sophie Tucker ( snack ) , and see how the colorful Lucy in the sky with diamonds paintings are made .
Whether you ’re heading west to Yulara direct from Alice Springs ( five hours ) or Martin Luther King Canyon ( 3.5 hour ) , there ’s nothing like that flavor of at last round the corner and getting that first glimpse of the most democratic tilt establishment in the country , Uluru(Ayers Rock ) . The impressive monolith , rising 1,142 feet high above the desert floor , appears to change colouring at sunrise and sunset , from bright red to bass purpleness , so get to the viewing surface area early , pull up a beach chair or blanket , and join your fellow traveller for the in effect view in Ithiel Town . Dress warm for cockcrow showing , as the desert gets inhuman at night .
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Accommodations and dining are free-base in Yulara , a small town with an airport just outside the parking area . You ’ll detect everything from super - deluxe recourse and glamping to budget - favorable cabins , lodge , and campsite . Read the markers along theMala Walkat Uluru ’s base to learn about the Indigenous stories surrounding the consecrated quad . Next door in Kata - Tjuta National Park , crack picture from the viewing point , take on the challengingValley of the Windshike , or walk toWalpa Gorgefor more otherworldly desert views .
By the final stage of your slip , you ’ll be exhausted , thrilled , inexplicably dusty , and likely have no vocalism go out after singing in the railway car for several days . You ’ve also earned enough bragging rights and Insta - desirable exposure to last a lifespan .
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