The Adelaide to Darwin route is one of the most popular self-drive holidays in Australia. Covering more than 3000 kilometres, it follows in the footsteps of intrepid explorer John McDouall Stuart who bravely explored the areas in the middle of the 19th century.
Many highlighted attractions sit on the route which stems from South to North Australia, including quirky and rather strange, outback pubs, the famous town of Alice Springs and the UNESCO World heritage site of Uluru-Kata. Explore sites connected with Australia’s famous gold rush in the 1920s and re-trace John Stuart’s footsteps on the Stuart Highway, located between Port Augusta and Darwin.
Planning a Road Trip From Adelaide to Darwin
Time Needed
Most itineraries complete the route in an average of 14 days, however we advise that if time permits, extend this to 21 days. This will give you a chance to visit more attractions, and gain an idea of local community life of the area. After all, they often say the best kept secrets of any destination are held with the locals!
(Image credit – Barossa Valley)
Highly Recommended Attractions
- Barossa Valley that is famous for its wine production and local cuisine
- Flinders Rangers National park to see Aboriginal rock art sites
- Coober Pedy where underground homes and churches are the norm
- The famous outback town of Alice Springs
- Uluṟu-Kata Tjuṯa National Park, where you can tour with an aboriginal guide
- Devils marbles which according to mythology are the eggs of the Rainbow Serpent
- Katherine which was a pioneering town and also home to beautiful places of natural beauty
Car Rental
The best type of drive if you plan to get off the beaten track and explore the route fully is a 4 wheel. Alternatively, camper vans are a good option for the more independent traveller.
Useful Tools
We find the Camps Australia Wide Package, extremely useful. They list a variety of camps, caravan parks and apps to help you along the way. Readers give feedback on the camps they have visited and the publishers also list a wide variety of resources that will definitely come in use. Read more here.
We also particularly like this extensive map from the South Australian tourism board. It shows the planned route, suggested itinerary, places of interest to visit and also hints and tips on climate, clothing and driving in various terrains.
(Chimneys of houses in Coober Pedy)
Accommodation
There is a wide choice of motels, hotels, camp sites and caravan parks to choose from. All differ in price, facilities and amenities and to source somewhere to stay, use the resource book we suggest above or booking.com which displays comprehensive reviews from previous users. It is advisable to book your accommodation in advance.
Further Reading
Article you may be interested in include…
- Tips to plan an Australian Road Trip
