Expertise the magic of heading north by means of the Australian Outback with our Adelaide to Darwin highway journey itinerary!
The Outback is among the first issues that involves thoughts when individuals consider Australia. If you wish to immerse your self within the pure magnificence and Indigenous historical past of the Outback, take into account an Adelaide to Darwin highway journey!
Adelaide is the capital of South Australia, and is a vibrant vacationer metropolis on the backside of the continent. Darwin is the capital of the Northern Territory, positioned on the very prime of the continent.
So a highway journey between these two main cities takes you proper by means of the center of Australia, within the coronary heart of the Outback!
Highway journeys by means of the middle of Australia will let you escape the crowds and witness some really awe-inspiring landscapes.
You’ll be able to cease at well-known landmarks like Coober Pedy, Uluru, Kings Canyon, Katherine Gorge, and extra. You’ll be able to camp amidst the untouched wilderness or spend the evening in charming nation cities.
Australia’s stunning coastlines have a lot to supply, however adventurous travellers ought to undoubtedly strive breathtaking highway journeys by means of the Outback!
Plan your journey to Darwin with our final 7-day itinerary!
What number of days does it take to drive from Adelaide to Darwin?
We advocate 14 days to your Adelaide to Darwin highway journey.
When you drive direct from Adelaide to Darwin with no stops, it’s about 31 hours of driving and over 3,000km! So in the event you have been to simply drive for 8 hours a day with no actions, you would want about 4 days for the entire journey.
However the entire level of taking up this huge journey is to see the wonders of the Australian Outback! So the extra time you’ve gotten, the higher. There shall be lengthy stretches of desert highway with nothing to see, however you’ll encounter some superb locations the place you’ll need to spend a few days.
So we advocate 2 weeks to your highway journey by means of Central Australia, on the very least. This provides you time to have some flexibility in your lengthy journey, plus a while for enjoyable actions and excursions along with simply driving the entire time.
From Coober Pedy, to Uluru, to Alice Springs, to Katherine, Kakadu, and extra, this whole highway journey might simply take months in the event you actually needed to take your time. However most travellers don’t have a limiteless timeframe, so attempt to spend at the least 2 weeks. 3 or 4 weeks is even higher!
What’s the finest time of the 12 months to journey from Adelaide to Darwin?
One of the best time to highway journey from Adelaide to Darwin is in the course of the dry season, which usually runs from Might to September. The dry season has little rain, cooler temperatures, and low humidity, making circumstances far more appropriate for outside adventures and lengthy highway journeys.
The moist season, from October to April, just isn’t splendid for highway journeys due to the extreme warmth and humidity. And naturally, there are sometimes monsoonal rains throughout these months, which might trigger highway closures and nationwide park closures.
Locations within the Purple Centre, resembling Alice Springs, Uluru, Kings Canyon, and extra, may be unbearably sizzling in the course of summer season. Locations within the Prime Finish, resembling Kakadu Nationwide Park, Katherine, and Litchfield Nationwide Park, may be very moist and in addition sizzling.
So plan your highway journeys by means of South Australia and the Northern Territory within the dry season for the very best climate and driving circumstances!
Plan to your Australia journey with our complete packing checklist.
Do you want 4WD for Stuart Freeway?
You don’t want a 4WD for the Stuart Freeway! This iconic highway runs by means of Central Australia, bringing drivers instantly from Adelaide to Darwin through Port Augusta, Alice Springs, and Tennant Creek.
It’s one in every of Australia’s longest roads, and also you’ll be driving on this for almost all of your highway journey.
The Stuart Freeway is sealed and doesn’t require a 4WD. Having a high-clearance 4WD can provide you entry to some extra distant areas of the nationwide parks alongside the best way, but it surely’s not crucial for almost all of the drive.
The place to start out your Adelaide to Darwin highway journey itinerary
You’ll be able to simply begin your highway journey in Adelaide or Darwin. Be happy to reverse your complete highway journey itinerary and drive from Darwin to Adelaide!
Each locations are capital cities, that means they’ve a global airport and are stuffed with facilities. There are many accommodations and locations to lease a automobile in each Adelaide and Darwin.
Take into account spending at the least a couple of days in every metropolis earlier than embarking in your highway journey, as there may be a lot to do in every place.
However when you’re able to hit the highway, right here is our beneficial Adelaide to Darwin highway journey itinerary!
The easiest way to get round is to lease a automobile and discover by yourself! We advocate Rental Vehicles, which has the most important vary of autos for the very best worth in the marketplace.
The Final Adelaide to Darwin Highway Journey Itinerary
It’s time to drive from Adelaide to Darwin! You’ll see loads of iconic locations in South Australia, resembling Port Augusta, the Flinders Rangers, Coober Pedy, and extra.
Then you definitely’ll enter the Northern Territory and have the prospect to discover delights resembling Uluru, Alice Springs, Katherine, Kakadu, and far more as effectively.
So decide up your rental automobile in Adelaide and prepare for the journey of a lifetime.
Adelaide
Earlier than setting off in your highway journey, attempt to spend at the least a couple of days exploring the wonders of Adelaide. There may be a lot to see and do on this vibrant metropolis at any time of 12 months!
You’ll be able to store for contemporary meals on the Adelaide Central Market, stroll by means of the Adelaide Botanic Backyard, or attend a sports activities sport on the Adelaide Oval. There are additionally loads of cool museums, parks, and procuring streets in Adelaide.
Or enterprise outdoors town heart and take a day journey to Kangaroo Island, or go wine tasting within the Barossa Valley.
Simply don’t miss the prospect to discover this unbelievable metropolis earlier than you set off in the direction of your first cease, Port Augusta!
Port Augusta
- Distance from Adelaide: 308km
- Driving time: 3 hours and 20 minutes
Head north alongside the coast of South Australia to Port Augusta, referred to as the “Gateway to the Outback.” This regional hub serves as a crossroads for travellers heading to iconic locations just like the Flinders Ranges, the Nullarbor Plain, and the Purple Centre.
Port Augusta gives a mixture of cultural and pure points of interest, making it a worthwhile cease in your highway journey.
The Wadlata Outback Centre supplies a fascinating introduction to the area’s Indigenous heritage and the event of South Australia’s outback, full with interactive shows and tales concerning the pioneering days.
One other spotlight of Port Augusta is the Australian Arid Lands Botanic Backyard, and the city’s waterfront space alongside the Spencer Gulf.
Flinders Ranges
- Distance from Port Augusta: 151km
- Driving time: 1 hour and 45 minutes
From Port Augusta, you possibly can take a slight detour east from the Stuart Freeway if you wish to discover the well-known Flinders Ranges of South Australia.
This majestic mountain vary will add round 3-4 hours to the highway journey, so it’s solely beneficial for actual nature lovers who’ve a versatile time schedule.
When you’re skipping the Flinders Ranges, you possibly can simply proceed north, passing Lake Hart and Island Lagoon Lookout on the best way.
However in the event you do have time to go out to the Flinders Ranges, there are some superb cities, hikes, lookouts, and points of interest for outside fans.
Highlights embrace mountain climbing to Wangara Lookout at Wilpena Pound, stargazing in Arkaroola Wilderness Sanctuary, mountain climbing sections of the Heysen Path, seeing fossils alongside the Brachina Gorge Geological Path, and tenting in Wilpena Pound or Arkaroola.
You may as well see historical rock artwork of the Adnyamathanha individuals at Sacred Canyon, admire the sundown at Stokes Hill Lookout, or discover the historic city of Quorn. There may be truthfully a lot to do within the Flinders Ranges, you would spend days right here!
So simply match it into your itinerary the way you see match, or skip it in the event you’re eager to get into the Northern Territory.
Coober Pedy
- Distance from Flinders Ranges: 690km
- Driving time: 7 hours and 10 minutes
It’s an enormous drive by means of South Australia to get to your subsequent cease (except you skipped the Flinders Ranges, then it’s simply 5.5 hours from Port Augusta).
You’re actually stepping into the center of the Outback, so the driving instances will get longer!
Coober Pedy is a singular city identified for its underground way of life and wealthy opal mining historical past. Positioned within the midst of the desert, the city is sort of solely underground! You’ll discover houses, church buildings, and retailers carved into the earth as a way to escape the warmth above floor.
Guests can discover the fascinating opal mines and museums, such because the Outdated Timers Mine, or try cool underground landmarks just like the Serbian Orthodox Church.
Close by, the Moon Plain and the Painted Desert provide surreal, otherworldly landscapes, whereas the Breakaways Conservation Park options placing sandstone formations and breathtaking views.
Coober Pedy is among the most well-known locations within the Outback of South Australia, and you’ll even spend the evening in an underground lodge!
Yulara and Uluru
- Distance from Coober Pedy: 733km
- Driving time: 7.5 hours
Subsequent in your Adelaide to Darwin highway journey is one in every of Australia’s most iconic locations: Uluru! This sacred monolith is a world-famous pure landmark within the coronary heart of the Purple Centre, and also you merely can’t miss it.
Uluru could be very a lot in the course of nowhere, so that you’ll in all probability need to spend an evening or two right here throughout your highway journey. You’ll be able to’t keep inside Uluṟu-Kata Tjuṯa Nationwide Park itself, so the closest place to remain in a single day is the close by city of Yulara.
Yulara is barely a 25-minute drive to Uluru, so you possibly can simply do day journeys and walks at Uluru whereas staying in Yulara.
You probably have time you possibly can tackle the full-day Uluru Base Stroll, which circumnavigates your complete rustic purple rock. Those that want shorter strolling trails can strive the Mala Stroll, Liru Stroll, or Walpa Gorge Stroll.
And don’t overlook to get up early to see the dawn over Uluru! It’s a must-do within the Australian Outback. This guided Uluru tour from Yulara contains the Uluru dawn, Walpa Gorge, and the distinctive pure domes of Kata Tjuta.
Kings Canyon and Watarrka Nationwide Park
- Distance from Yulara: 272km
- Driving time: 3 hours
Pack up and hit the highway once more! Proceed driving by means of the Purple Centre to achieve your subsequent vacation spot. Kings Canyon, positioned in Watarrka Nationwide Park, is a wide ranging pure marvel with purple sandstone partitions, lush vegetation, and sweeping views of the outback.
The spotlight is the Kings Canyon Rim Stroll, a 6-kilometer circuit that rewards hikers with spectacular vistas, dramatic cliffs, and distinctive rock formations just like the “Misplaced Metropolis” domes.
For these in search of a shorter possibility, the Creek Mattress Stroll gives a neater path alongside the canyon flooring.
The canyon is wealthy in cultural significance to the Luritja individuals, and guided excursions present insights into their tales and the realm’s historical geology. You may as well admire the canyon from above on a scenic helicopter tour!
There are a couple of campgrounds and resorts close to Kings Canyon. You’ll seemingly need to keep the evening right here after mountain climbing all day, and it’s a 3-hour drive to Alice Springs, your subsequent vacation spot.
Alice Springs
- Distance from Watarrka Nationwide Park: 308km
- Driving time: 3 hours and quarter-hour
From Kings Canyon, you’ll drive east to Alice Springs within the coronary heart of the Purple Centre. On the best way, you’ll go proper by means of the West Macdonnell Ranges and it’s price stopping to admire the great thing about these mountains.
This historical mountain vary has some unbelievable pure points of interest, together with the breathtaking gorges of Ormiston, Ellery Creek Massive Gap, and Simpsons Hole, excellent for swimming, mountain climbing, and images.
You may as well go to the West Macdonnell Ranges on day journeys from Alice Springs, but it surely is sensible to discover the realm earlier than you get to Alice Springs as its proper on the best way. Upon arriving in Alice Springs, settle into your lodging and take your decide of the native actions!
Experience over the desert in a sizzling air balloon, uncover Indigenous artwork at Araluen Cultural Precinct, or find out about desert ecosystems at Alice Springs Desert Park.
Mingle with native wildlife on the Alice Springs Reptile Centre or the Kangaroo Sanctuary, or soak in some panoramic views at ANZAC Hill.
Be taught some historical past at Alice Springs Telegraph Station, or study concerning the distant healthcare system at Royal Flying Physician Service. There may be a lot to do in Alice Springs for travellers of all ages!
Devils Marbles
- Distance from Alice Springs: 412km
- Driving time: 4 hours and 10 minutes
From Alice Springs, hop again on the Stuart Freeway and proceed up by means of the Northern Territory. After about 4 hours, you’ll attain one other unbelievable pure landmark simply in time for a well-deserved driving break.
The Devils Marbles, referred to as Karlu Karlu to the native Warumungu individuals, are huge, rounded granite boulders in a large desert valley. It’s a surreal, otherworldly panorama that should be seen to be believed.
Fashioned over hundreds of thousands of years by means of weathering and erosion, the marbles glow in beautiful hues of purple and orange throughout dawn and sundown, making them a photographer’s dream.
Guests can take self-guided walks across the space, find out about its cultural significance by means of interpretive signage, or just benefit from the awe-inspiring pure magnificence. Tenting services close by make it a great place for stargazing underneath the outback’s clear evening skies.
Tennant Creek
- Distance from Devils Marbles: 95km
- Driving time: 1 hour
When you don’t need to camp out close to Devils Marbles, it’s solely an hour till Tennant Creek which has some inns, motels, and caravan parks.
When you’re within the gold mining historical past and Indigenous tradition of the Northern Territory, it’s also possible to spend a while exploring the points of interest in Tennant Creek.
As soon as the positioning of Australia’s final main gold rush within the Thirties, the city’s historical past is widely known on the Battery Hill Mining Centre, the place guests can discover gold mining relics and take underground mine excursions.
Tennant Creek can be a cultural hub for the Warumungu individuals, with the Nyinkka Nyunyu Artwork and Tradition Centre providing an immersive expertise of their traditions, artwork, and Dreamtime tales.
Close by points of interest embrace the scenic Lake Mary Ann, excellent for picnics and swimming, and the historic Overland Telegraph Station, a reminder of the area’s function in connecting Australia’s distant inside to the skin world.
Daly Waters
- Distance from Tennant Creek: 407km
- Driving time: 4 hours and quarter-hour
Proceed up by means of the Northern Territory till you attain Daly Waters. That is one other small and charming Outback city the place you possibly can refuel, stretch your legs, and even keep the evening if you’d like.
The city’s centerpiece is the Daly Waters Pub, a legendary stopover for travellers within the Northern Territory. The pub has plenty of decorations from travellers, hearty meals, dwell music, and a real style of outback hospitality.
The close by Daly Waters Airstrip is a well-known historic landmark, having served as a refueling cease for pioneering aviation routes and through World Battle II.
Although Daly Waters is small, it’s a handy place in your highway journey route the place you possibly can take a break from driving and discover a quintessential Aussie outback city.
Learn subsequent: The Final Information To Climbing In Australia
Katherine and Nitmiluk Nationwide Park
- Distance from Daly Waters: 276km
- Driving time: 3 hours
As you enter Australia’s Prime Finish, there are a couple of extra beautiful nationwide parks that you could be need to go to earlier than heading to Darwin. Nitmiluk Nationwide Park is one in every of them!
Nitmiluk Nationwide Park is dwelling to Nitmiluk Gorge, often known as Katherine Gorge. This dramatic collection of gorges carved by the Katherine River showcases some unbelievable historical sandstone cliffs and views.
Get the very best views of the gorge on a native boat tour the place you possibly can cruise alongside the Katherine River and study concerning the space out of your information.
You may as well discover the small nation city of Katherine, which has a couple of lodging choices for many who need to keep in a single day. In case you are spending a while right here, be sure you go to Katherine Scorching Springs and soak within the heat thermal waters!
Kakadu Nationwide Park
- Distance from Katherine: 152km
- Driving time: 1.5 hours
As you proceed north from Nitmiluk Nationwide Park, you’ll should enterprise barely off target to go to Kakadu Nationwide Park. The well-known nationwide park is a bit additional east from the extra direct route between Adelaide and Darwin. However in case you have the time, it’s well worth the detour!
Kakadu Nationwide Park has a few of Australia’s most rugged and untouched wilderness. It’s identified for its historical rock artwork, unbelievable waterfalls, and wildlife-filled waterways. This is among the finest locations to identify mighty saltwater crocodiles in Australia on a river cruise or at Cahills Crossing.
You may simply spend days on finish exploring all of the pure wonders right here, however most travellers will go for a day or two. It’s a spotlight of Australia’s Northern Territory!
Or you possibly can day journey to Kakadu Nationwide Park from Darwin when you end your highway journey in the event you want to simply get to Darwin extra shortly.
Litchfield Nationwide Park
- Distance from Kakadu Nationwide Park: 197km
- Driving time: 2 hours
Whether or not you’re stopping in Kakadu or not, Litchfield Nationwide Park must be your final cease on the itinerary earlier than you attain Darwin. It’s solely an hour south of town, so it’s a handy place to discover as you’re driving into town.
Litchfield Nationwide Park is thought for its majestic waterfalls and pure swimming holes. It’s an incredible place to flee the warmth of the Northern Territory!
Florence Falls, Buley Rockhole, Tolmer Falls, and Wangi Falls are among the many most stunning cascades within the park.
Additionally be sure you try the magnificent termite mounds in Litchfield Nationwide Park, as they’re a formidable pure phenomenon within the Northern Territory. After admiring the plush fantastic thing about this park, drive for only one extra hour and also you’ve made it to Darwin!
Darwin
- Distance from Litchfield Nationwide Park: 106km
- Driving time: 1 hour and quarter-hour
Congrats on finishing a completely epic drive by means of the center of Australia! This isn’t a straightforward feat, as Australia is just so huge and the route from Adelaide to Darwin could be very distant.
However you’ve seen a few of Australia’s most spectacular landscapes in South Australia and the Northern Territory, and now you get to chill out and revel in Darwin.
E book a centrally positioned lodge the place you possibly can chill out and discover downtown on foot. Or you possibly can hold your rental automobile for a couple of extra days if you wish to have extra freedom and suppleness within the metropolis.
When you’re in Darwin, soak within the metropolis’s highlights such because the Darwin Waterfront Precinct, the Mindil Seaside Sundown Market, Bicentennial Park, and the assorted Indigenous artwork galleries.
These fascinated with historical past and museums can try the Darwin Army Museum and WWII Tunnels or the Museum and Artwork Gallery of the Northern Territory.
Or you possibly can deal with your self to a sundown dinner cruise, or proceed your adventures with some day journeys resembling to the offshore Tiwi Islands. Both manner, it’s time to rejoice since you’ve accomplished an unbelievable Adelaide to Darwin highway journey by means of the Australian Outback!
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