Expertise the magic of heading north by 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, think about 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 high of the continent.
So a highway journey between these two main cities takes you proper by the center of Australia, within the coronary heart of the Outback!
Highway journeys by the middle of Australia can help you escape the crowds and witness some actually awe-inspiring landscapes.
You may cease at well-known landmarks like Coober Pedy, Uluru, Kings Canyon, Katherine Gorge, and extra. You may camp amidst the untouched wilderness or spend the evening in charming nation cities.
Australia’s lovely coastlines have a lot to supply, however adventurous travellers ought to undoubtedly attempt breathtaking highway journeys by 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 on your Adelaide to Darwin highway journey.
If you happen to drive direct from Adelaide to Darwin with no stops, it’s about 31 hours of driving and over 3,000km! So when 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 over this huge journey is to see the wonders of the Australian Outback! So the extra time you have got, the higher. There will likely 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 on your highway journey by Central Australia, on the very least. This offers 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 complete highway journey might simply take months when you actually wished to take your time. However most travellers don’t have a vast time-frame, so attempt to spend no less than 2 weeks. 3 or 4 weeks is even higher!
What’s the greatest time of the yr to journey from Adelaide to Darwin?
The perfect time to highway journey from Adelaide to Darwin is through the dry season, which usually runs from Might to September. The dry season has little rain, cooler temperatures, and low humidity, making situations far more appropriate for out of doors adventures and lengthy highway journeys.
The moist season, from October to April, is just not perfect for highway journeys due to the extraordinary warmth and humidity. And naturally, there are sometimes monsoonal rains throughout these months, which may trigger highway closures and nationwide park closures.
Locations within the Crimson Centre, akin to Alice Springs, Uluru, Kings Canyon, and extra, could be unbearably scorching in the midst of summer time. Locations within the High Finish, akin to Kakadu Nationwide Park, Katherine, and Litchfield Nationwide Park, could be very moist and likewise scorching.
So plan your highway journeys by South Australia and the Northern Territory within the dry season for the perfect climate and driving situations!
Plan on your Australia journey with our complete packing record.
Do you want 4WD for Stuart Freeway?
You don’t want a 4WD for the Stuart Freeway! This iconic highway runs by Central Australia, bringing drivers straight from Adelaide to Darwin through Port Augusta, Alice Springs, and Tennant Creek.
It’s one among 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 may give you entry to some extra distant areas of the nationwide parks alongside the best way, but it surely’s not vital for almost all of the drive.
The place to start out your Adelaide to Darwin highway journey itinerary
You may simply begin your highway journey in Adelaide or Darwin. Be happy to reverse all the highway journey itinerary and drive from Darwin to Adelaide!
Each locations are capital cities, which means they’ve a global airport and are filled with facilities. There are many lodges and locations to lease a automotive in each Adelaide and Darwin.
Think about spending no less than just a few days in every metropolis earlier than embarking in your highway journey, as there’s a lot to do in every place.
However when you’re able to hit the highway, right here is our advisable Adelaide to Darwin highway journey itinerary!
The easiest way to get round is to lease a automotive and discover by yourself! We advocate Rental Vehicles, which has the biggest vary of automobiles for the perfect 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, akin to Port Augusta, the Flinders Rangers, Coober Pedy, and extra.
Then you definately’ll enter the Northern Territory and have the possibility to discover delights akin to Uluru, Alice Springs, Katherine, Kakadu, and far more as nicely.
So decide up your rental automotive in Adelaide and prepare for the journey of a lifetime.
Adelaide
Earlier than setting off in your highway journey, attempt to spend no less than just a few days exploring the wonders of Adelaide. There’s a lot to see and do on this vibrant metropolis at any time of yr!
You may store for recent meals on the Adelaide Central Market, stroll by the Adelaide Botanic Backyard, or attend a sports activities sport on the Adelaide Oval. There are additionally loads of cool museums, parks, and buying streets in Adelaide.
Or enterprise outdoors the town middle and take a day journey to Kangaroo Island, or go wine tasting within the Barossa Valley.
Simply don’t miss the possibility to discover this unimaginable metropolis earlier than you set off in 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 Crimson Centre.
Port Augusta presents a mixture of cultural and pure points of interest, making it a worthwhile cease in your highway journey.
The Wadlata Outback Centre offers an interesting 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’ll be able to 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 advisable for actual nature lovers who’ve a versatile time schedule.
If you happen to’re skipping the Flinders Ranges, you’ll be able to simply proceed north, passing Lake Hart and Island Lagoon Lookout on the best way.
However when you do have time to go out to the Flinders Ranges, there are some superb cities, hikes, lookouts, and points of interest for out of doors fanatics.
Highlights embrace climbing to Wangara Lookout at Wilpena Pound, stargazing in Arkaroola Wilderness Sanctuary, climbing sections of the Heysen Path, seeing fossils alongside the Brachina Gorge Geological Path, and tenting in Wilpena Pound or Arkaroola.
You can even 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’s truthfully a lot to do within the Flinders Ranges, you might spend days right here!
So simply match it into your itinerary the way you see match, or skip it when 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 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 guts of the Outback, so the driving instances will get longer!
Coober Pedy is a novel city identified for its underground way of life and wealthy opal mining historical past. Situated within the midst of the desert, the city is sort of solely underground! You’ll discover houses, church buildings, and outlets carved into the earth with a view to escape the warmth above floor.
Guests can discover the fascinating opal mines and museums, such because the Previous Timers Mine, or take a look at cool underground landmarks just like the Serbian Orthodox Church.
Close by, the Moon Plain and the Painted Desert supply 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 resort!
Yulara and Uluru
- Distance from Coober Pedy: 733km
- Driving time: 7.5 hours
Subsequent in your Adelaide to Darwin highway journey is one among Australia’s most iconic locations: Uluru! This sacred monolith is a world-famous pure landmark within the coronary heart of the Crimson Centre, and also you merely can’t miss it.
Uluru could be very a lot in the midst of nowhere, so that you’ll most likely need to spend an evening or two right here throughout your highway journey. You may’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 just a 25-minute drive to Uluru, so you’ll be able to simply do day journeys and walks at Uluru whereas staying in Yulara.
If in case you have time you’ll be able to tackle the full-day Uluru Base Stroll, which circumnavigates all the rustic purple rock. Those that desire shorter strolling trails can attempt the Mala Stroll, Liru Stroll, or Walpa Gorge Stroll.
And don’t neglect 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 the Crimson Centre to succeed in your subsequent vacation spot. Kings Canyon, positioned in Watarrka Nationwide Park, is a panoramic 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 looking for a shorter possibility, the Creek Mattress Stroll presents 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 can even admire the canyon from above on a scenic helicopter tour!
There are just a few campgrounds and resorts close to Kings Canyon. You’ll probably need to keep the evening right here after 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 Crimson Centre. On the best way, you’ll go proper by the West Macdonnell Ranges and it’s value stopping to admire the fantastic thing about these mountains.
This historical mountain vary has some unimaginable pure points of interest, together with the breathtaking gorges of Ormiston, Ellery Creek Massive Gap, and Simpsons Hole, good for swimming, climbing, and images.
You can even 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!
Journey over the desert in a scorching 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’s 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 the Northern Territory. After about 4 hours, you’ll attain one other unimaginable 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.
Shaped over hundreds of thousands of years by weathering and erosion, the marbles glow in gorgeous 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 interpretive signage, or just benefit from the awe-inspiring pure magnificence. Tenting amenities close by make it a great spot for stargazing below the outback’s clear evening skies.
Tennant Creek
- Distance from Devils Marbles: 95km
- Driving time: 1 hour
If you happen to 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.
If you happen to’re within the gold mining historical past and Indigenous tradition of the Northern Territory, you too can 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 Nineteen Thirties, the city’s historical past is well 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, good for picnics and swimming, and the historic Overland Telegraph Station, a reminder of the area’s position in connecting Australia’s distant inside to the surface world.
Daly Waters
- Distance from Tennant Creek: 407km
- Driving time: 4 hours and quarter-hour
Proceed up by the Northern Territory till you attain Daly Waters. That is one other small and charming Outback city the place you’ll be able to refuel, stretch your legs, and even keep the evening in order for you.
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, reside 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 Conflict II.
Although Daly Waters is small, it’s a handy place in your highway journey route the place you’ll be able to take a break from driving and discover a quintessential Aussie outback city.
Learn subsequent: The Final Information To Mountaineering In Australia
Katherine and Nitmiluk Nationwide Park
- Distance from Daly Waters: 276km
- Driving time: 3 hours
As you enter Australia’s High Finish, there are just a few extra beautiful nationwide parks that you could be need to go to earlier than heading to Darwin. Nitmiluk Nationwide Park is one among them!
Nitmiluk Nationwide Park is dwelling to Nitmiluk Gorge, often known as Katherine Gorge. This dramatic sequence of gorges carved by the Katherine River showcases some unimaginable historical sandstone cliffs and views.
Get the perfect views of the gorge on a native boat tour the place you’ll be able to cruise alongside the Katherine River and study concerning the space out of your information.
You can even discover the small nation city of Katherine, which has just a few lodging choices for individuals who need to keep in a single day. If you’re spending a while right here, remember to 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 must enterprise barely astray 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 if in case you have the time, it’s definitely 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, unimaginable waterfalls, and wildlife-filled waterways. This is among the greatest locations to identify mighty saltwater crocodiles in Australia on a river cruise or at Cahills Crossing.
You can 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’ll be able to day journey to Kakadu Nationwide Park from Darwin when you end your highway journey when you desire 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 the town, so it’s a handy place to discover as you’re driving into the 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 lovely cascades within the park.
Additionally remember to take a look at 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 the guts of Australia! This isn’t a simple feat, as Australia is in order that 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.
Ebook a centrally positioned resort the place you’ll be able to chill out and discover downtown on foot. Or you’ll be able to maintain your rental automotive for just a few extra days if you wish to have extra freedom and adaptability 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 all for historical past and museums can take a look at the Darwin Army Museum and WWII Tunnels or the Museum and Artwork Gallery of the Northern Territory.
Or you’ll be able to deal with your self to a sundown dinner cruise, or proceed your adventures with some day journeys akin to to the offshore Tiwi Islands. Both manner, it’s time to rejoice since you’ve accomplished an unimaginable Adelaide to Darwin highway journey by the Australian Outback!
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