JB. He helped me out immensely when I broke down in the outback ALONE! thank you for taking the time to write about this trip in such detail. Set off from Alice Springs as you embark on your last full day in the Northern Territory. The distance is the same either way if you're flying a straight line (or driving the same roads back and forth). Station. There is not much to see on the border, apart from a small "Welcome It is great that you have provided information about phone coverage (or lack thereof). The journeys took me 17 hours per limb, with 4 hours of night time drive each way (Glendambo to Port Pirie onwards and Marla to Alice Springs on return). Wish there were more people writing the way you do with so much information. No worries, thank you and were glad you had a great time! The obligatory border photo crossing at the NT/SA border on the Stuart Highway. Second-guessed doing that, but too late now. Ever since was a kid wanted to drive to Alice Springs from Adelaide.. to take a photo of the famous Australian road-trains. Read our, The Hugh River Stock Route, which leads to Oak Valley Campground, Titjikala, the Old Ghan Track and. However, being winter will it be too cold? Have a wonderful new years. Would you think that you could keep to your driving itinerary in a motorhome or towing a van? Mobile phone coverage: Telstra 3G reception is only available until approx. 3. Absolutely! The distance between Alice Springs and Sydney is 2027 km. It is really very helpful and informative and I like the no-nonsense approach of your writing. As you leave Port Augusta, enjoy the panorama of the Flinders Ranges There are quite a few alternative stops along the way but of course this is up to you. ALSO READ: Driving from Alice Springs to Uluru which describes in detail this section of the journey. Hi Amanda, the time you have taken to put all your knowledge is writing is amazing and oh so helpful. Distance from Alice-springs to - Distance calculator Start at the South Australian border and wind your way through an epic 4WD track that takes you across remote national parks and far-flung outback towns. So whats your suggestion on getting there & when per our entire trip planning? Theres also a toilet, water, tables & chairs, some good information signs and a geocache. It's an area worth to stay a couple of days. Australian Outback. We plan to leave Adelaide at 22:00, head to Port Augusta by 2am (rest there), hopefully we can , Stuart Highway Darwin to AdelaideHow long should we allow to do the Stuart Highway? look forward to doing this drive!! You can also reach the Oodnadatta Track from Cadney via the painted desert. of Stuart Highway & Lasseter Highway, it is a great place to relax Comments like yours make all the hours we put in with the website worthwhile. We are planning approximately 10,000km over a period of 18 to 20 days. Carry basic tools & spare parts (fanbelts, spare tyres, radiator hoses, fuses) with you. This is a fairly short stretch of the journey, with the prize of mobile phone coverage and a small supermarket at Marla. You could try Wicked Campers, although be careful as they dont always allow people to drive on dirt roads. Do you think this is should be done during the winter months or would you recommend breaking the journey into two? Theres also powered and unpowered caravan and campsites. Alice Springs to the South Australian border Other highways The following are rest stops in other highways in the NT. You can read my story here: . I havent been able to find any info on this however will ask around here before I set off this morning. I need to know all watering holes and . Cheers, Jac. Alice Springs Airport (ASP) to Alice Springs - 3 ways to - Rome2rio Sorry it took so long to pass on our thanks. It is a journey of contrasts and natural beauty. Im currently in South Australia, but if Im back in Alice, Ill send you an email. As of 2006 Australian Cencus Kulgera has a population of 50 people. Maybe next time Ill brave the smaller towns and take more timethis time we wanted a good week in Alice to spend with my brother, wife and little niece. Facilities: Wide range of budget accommodation, from cabins to bunkhouse and caravan/camping facilities. Galahs had in the tree next to our camp at 1 am. I havent looked it over yet. But even at My brother and sister-in-law are coming over from South Africa next year and were making the big trek to see the magnificence of Uluru in June. Hope you enjoy your adventure. Keep a watch out for wildlife and the changing landscapes the further south you get. The roadhouse is the most visible feature in town. Otherwise, Britz but theyre VERY expensive, unless you can find a rental relocation. [5] I plan to do this drive nonstop apart from petrol and loo stops..I will do the required planning and find out about the servos and motels along the way. This is a must read before a trip to the Alice. So do you have any suggestions, tips for us? The Distance Calculator can find distance between any two cities or locations available in The World Clock The distance is calculated in kilometers, miles and nautical miles, and the initial compass bearing/heading from the origin to the destination. Eyre highway is another major Outback route that starts in Port Augusta, leading across the Nullarbor plain into Western Australia. https://adelaidetoalicesprings.blogspot.com/ Thank you so much for this, we are heading up to Alice from Canberra in September, via Adelaide. It is about 1500km of sealed road, easy to follow and you need to watch out for animals crossing the road, especially in the morning and late afternoon. If you are in Alice at the beginning of August would love to meet up as our yoga mats are coming along and maybe we could meet for a yoga session or 2 when we do it will be in mid April and possibly for a week, maybe two. McDouall Stuart was the first European who saw this landmark in 1860. Yes very helpful. with shimmering salt lakes on the horizon, or sometimes, close to the Im so looking forward to my trip next May! Alice Springs to Birdsville - one way to travel via car - Rome2rio Now youre really in the Northern Territory and on a great stretch of road. Back on the Stuart Highway, don't miss the Lake Hart lookout and rest area about 50 km past Pimba. I was recently contacted by a concerned father from overseas after he had not had any contact from his daughter and friends who were driving from Darwin to Uluru. We want to book , Stuart Highway with conventional carIs it possible to drive Stuart Highway with a conventional car, like a station wagon, or do I need a 4wd? Or I just need to know how many jerry cans to carry to make it through the longest stint without 95. Launch map view Distance: 603.7 km Duration: 20h 58m Want to know more about travelling around Australia John I will be sure to share your post and look forward to reading more from you! This post was so helpful in firstly conceptualising our trip and in the planning and doing! Is it better to fly back from Ayers Rock? Port Wakefield Road is the quickest route from Adelaide to Port Augusta as it bypasses all the small country towns. Dear Amanda, As long as your tyres are not too worn, you shouldnt have any problems. Archaeological evidence suggests the region has been inhabited for 25,000 years. SA Itinerary: Adelaide to Alice Springs |Britz Campervans AU Is it the good car to go ahead for this drive. thank you Great information, this looks so well-done!!!!!!! | As you travel north, youre going to pass by some stunning salt lakes. Read more. Will it be safe to go off road with Toyota Kluger (AWD)? Their biggest attraction is that visitors can feed It looks like a few white golf balls in the distance. The rocks are especially Read our exclusive. I sent him the links to the phone coverage maps so he could see how little coverage there is outside the more populated areas I love the advertising claims that xx network covers 95-99% of the Australian population, and of course international visitors do not really realise that most of the Australian population lives on the east coast and close to the townships and in between those there is a lot of empty space without any phone signal, unless you have a satellite phone Fortunately he got back to me a couple of days later and advised that his daughter had finally made contact. Its going to be amazing! My question or concern is, would there be fuel stations open (for trade) on Christmas day. Driving to Uluru? My daughter and I are heading off tomorrow and I feel so lucky reading your insights today. thank you for taking the time to put this together. Jatin. Detours from Marla: Mintabie is a small opal town about 40 km west of Marla. Were retired & dont exactly have a time-frame. Alice Springs? Thank you again and have a great long and safe trip of yours. CONTACT I hope this helps. Heading north, youll come to a number of small towns, such as: Youll pass the turnoffs for the Yorke Peninsula (Kadina/Wallaroo), Port Pirie and the Flinders Ranges along the way as well. Fuel, food, accommodation: Port Augusta, Pimba, Glendambo, Coober Pedy, Cadney, Marla, Kulgera, Erldunda, Stuarts Well, Longest Stretch without fuel: 254km between Glendambo & Coober Pedy. Thank you for your grwat write up on such a beautiful part of Australia . Ive been looking at other pages on your site, and elsewhere on the internet, about the roads between Cairns and Uluru/Alice Springs. Thanks in advance! . We planned with a group of about 8 people to go to Uluru from Melbourne. Thanks for the detailed guide , Sending some gratitude to you for this guide. The complex has a restaurant, take-away food, post office We were totally alone. Brilliant information. Theres a few Geocaches scattered along this section which make the trip more interesting, too. What can you suggets me? You could also go from Roxby Downs along the Borefield Track and then join the Oodnadatta Track and head up to Alice Springs that way. Thanks again for your kind comments and hope you continue to explore the outback. Thank you for your beautiful site! Alice Springs lies on the intermittent Todd River and the Stuart Highway, 1,028 road miles (1,654 km) north of Adelaide and 954 miles (1,535 km) south of Darwin. From Pimba, youre travelling through some interesting country, dotted with salt lakes and the occasional lookout stop that just begs a photo. Youve got an easy 20km trip until you come to Kulgera Roadhouse, which bills itself as the first and last pub in the Territory. I really think you should have allowed more time for an approximate 3730km trip. Janet and Max. If you do not want to take the unsealed road/or can not as the road is closed, continue south on the Stuart Highway to Port Augusta instead. Choose from wide range of accommodation. Thanks, Mark! Plan your NT adventure with these comprehensive maps covering towns, deserts, islands, national parks, tourist drives and 4WD tracks. Springs or Yulara, the South Australian welcome sign is by far bigger. The infamous Kulgera cutouts home to many a silly photo! Finally, after a long drive along the Stuart Highway, you'll arrive in the largest town of central Australia. It is fairly ambitious to do this amount of travelling in the time period allocated. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); HOME Peoples experience is so much better than government websites. Hello, I am planning to drive from Adelaide to Ayers Rock after reading this great guide however when i tried to search for a rental cars to be picked up from Adelaide Airport and return to Ayers Rock airport, the cheapest daily rental (Toyota Yaris) is AUD 480 per day which has totally shocked me. There are times when Ive left Adelaide city, and it seemed to take me hours just to get out of the city and suburbs. it is a reasonably new car, 2010 model and automatic. Highway. Thank you so much for this information! I hope this puts your mind at ease, Rama. We are still sussing out accommodation at several places. BLOG Driving across the Nullarbor Plain - Tourism Australia Coober Pedy to Alice Springs drive: Distance, time, stops & attractions [11] [12] By then, the NAR had closed, in June 1976, following the closure of the iron ore mine at Frances Creek. In fact we are planning some night driving ( a few hours on some nights), but after reading your post I am rethinking now. Namaste ? Thank you for sharing your wonderful experience and advice on your Road Trip. THANK YOU . Antipode: 23.69748,-46.11638 Your advice on night driving in that area is NOTED. Happy and safe travels Many fuel stations even refill, so keep an eye out for these. The Roadhouse has a very large motel-style accommodation area, and a camping/caravan ground at the rear. You can also enter airport name or code from Northern Territory (Australia) in above fields. Hi Amanda, I am planning to drive from Sydney to Alice Spring, Uluru and back to Sydney in Late April next year. You start to see many more acacia shrubs and eventually our beloved outback Mulga trees (very good firewood when its dry). Given that weve travelled this road dozens of times, we really had no excuse for not writing this guide. What a fabulous site Very well put together Itinery. Yes, you're approaching the beautiful red centre! 7 days. drinks and dinner daily. There is a roadhouse, Stuarts Well, which is roughly halfway along this stretch of the Stuart Highway, and the Outback Camel Farm is located next door. Stuart Highway - Wikipedia Thanks Thank you so much for publishing this! A lookout is 10 km off the highway, You will TRULY experience the outback deeply and more authentically than if you rush. We were carrying two spares, so we were lucky! Will it be too hot in NT. However must say Coober Pedy was not our thing! We were able to get one fixed in Coober Pedy and then continued home via the Stuart Highway. Take a look at Brachina and Wilkawillina gorges and you might see the rare yellow-footed rock-wallaby. Tickets cost $170 - $320 and the journey takes 15h 40m. Hi Amanda, great article. There is almost complete coverage from Port Augusta to Coober Pedy nowadays, with coverage also at Glendambo, Erldunda and of course, Uluru. You may wish to fill up your car at Glendambo if you have a small tank. Your help and advise will be greatly appreciated. Given the remote locations and the public holidays, Im concerned Ill be nearing the end of my range only to find that the ma & pa service station/grocer is closed due to the long weekend. This distance and driving directions will also be displayed on an interactive map labeled as Distance Map and Driving Directions South Australia (Australia). This was a cold-war project between the British and Australian governments, which developed and tested long-range weapons systems (read: they fired rockets into the middle of nowhere lots of rockets). highway 20 km north of town. ? I have never done this drive but am used to long distance driving as i regularly drive nonstop from melb to noosa and back. Im so glad our info was useful to you. It is only me and my Autistic son doing this 10 week adventure. Along the way, youre going to pass through increasingly mountainous terrain: youll pass the Palmer Ranges, drive through the James Range, past the Waterhouse Ranges and finally, youll see the magnificent MacDonnell Ranges where Alice Springs is nestled. We only drove in daylight (though the low winter sun meant it was a bit hairy driving into Coober Pedy in the early evening, getting there later than Id plannedwe stopped too long at Lake Hart, but totally worth it! Woomera was established in 1947, for the Anglo-Australian Joint Project. Marla marks the northern end of the Oodnadatta Track, and is also the turn off to Mintabie a tiny opal-mining town east of the Stuart Highway. Any thing in specifics I have to take care of. There are several good free camping options not too far away one in a gravel pit just a few kilometres along the Lasseter Highway, and a stunning campsite at a roadside stop set amongst sand dunes and desert oaks, about 30km north of Erldunda along the Stuart Highway. You would try Wicked Campers they might be a better option. The only good thing about this is that youll see a lot of Wedge-Tailed Eagles feeding off the poor kangaroos whove been killed. Thank you for your quick reply. road. Thanks Tina, Dear Amanda In few days I will be in Melbourne to meet my doughter. Just follow our guide on our we post about driving from Adelaide to Alice Springs. Thank you from very grateful backpackers. Carry a minimum of 10 litres per person per day. The CAR closed shortly after. Once a thriving railway town, Kingoonya became nearly a ghost town when the highway was relocated. There is also a fuel station and general store. The drive from Marla to Alice Springs is not the most exciting one you're likely to do in Australia. Do you think this is a valid concern, or will fuel stops be plentiful? It is a lonely but interesting drive, and a great shortcut if Distances shown are from one place to the next, e.g. If you drive to alice from adelaide do you have to go south again the some way you came.? Loved reading your trip details from Adelaide to Alice. Thank you for writing up this article, its a wealth of knowledge for people planning a trip through this amazing part of the country. The Marla to Alice Springs drive covers a distance of 454km in a driving time of around 4h41m. This distance calculator is not only for South Africans, anyone from all over the globe is welcome to use the calculator, it was developed as a free tool to calculate the distance between two points. All your tips and descriptions were so very useful and entertaining. Theres a sense of anticipation building because just twenty kilometres from Kulgerayoull come to the somewhat monolithic border crossing between the Northern Territory (NT) and South Australia. Not long before you reach Pimba and if youre observant- look out to the left (west) and you might spot the remains of Nurrungar a joint US-Australian spy base. Driving from Adelaide to Alice Springs: The Ultimate Guide Its everything you imagine: freedom, a sense of isolation, intense personal reflection, wildlife, vast horizons and blue sky, quirky outback towns, roadhouses and characters. They actually managed to open our eski and enjoyed a $10.60 T-bone steak. Share this page: The camping area is dirt but it is quiet and away from the highway. Please do NOT think this is what the entire outback is like. and which are the most dangerous spots for active wildlife?Also are there any other dangers to be aware of along this route? I really enjoyed this information. Facilities: Motel accommodation, camping, restaurant, fuel, small shop, public toilets, rest area. N. Hi Amanda! On routeto Erldunda Roadhouse stop off atRainbowValley Conservation Reserve, just 100km south of Alice Springs, to enjoy the sandstone bluffs and rock formations. Australia Darwin Alice Springs Distances Alice Springs is located in Darwin city, Australia at the -23.6975, 133.8836 coordinates. How far is Alice Springs from Melbourne - driving distance - Trippy Your info about phone coverage, fuel, food etc is most helpful but where are we able to fill gas cylinders. page, with info about accommodation and places of interest in this area. I will let you know how the trip went mid-July. Don't forget to Im planning a solo road trip from Adelaide to Darwin around May/June this year, so finding this page has been amazing! November is likely to be warm to hot, say mid 30s at least. Were just back from Melbourne to Alice Springs and back via East and west Macs,Kings Canyon, Uluru etc We took a month to be sure to stop and spend time at places as you recommend. and banking facilities, fuel and repair services, and a supermarket. Would love a write up from Alice up have you written one or do you know of one. From Coober Pedy, you head north once more, passing lots of mullock heaps, and traversing some low, barren hills. Thank you so much for this invaluable resource! The descriptions of the roadhouses is good information and I will surely use the dining delights that desert roadhouses are famous for. To leave Adelaide, youre looking to head north on Port Wakefield Road. Ive been reading a lot about getting a bull bar (fixing it to my Subaru Forester) and can see arguments for and against. Facilities: Motel and camping facilities, drive-thru If you have a little extra time at hand, you can also use the Main North Road SITE MAP Along this section of highway, the terrain continues to soften, with more and more Mulga scrub, and a few dry creeks with Bloodwood trees lining them. :) There are tables, water, toilets and an We will be driving with Kluger and will make sure that I will get it serviced before starting. Each time I think of the night drive in desolate landscape, it makes me feel incredibly stupid and send shudders down my spine, especially when I was accompanied by my wife and my toddler daughter. These detours can be done with a sturdy car in dry conditions. Thank you so much for writing this blog. We would like end our tour in Darwin but Ive some doubts about the weather. Find your way around the Top End with maps covering Darwin City, Kakadu, Litchfield National Park, Arnhem Land and the Tiwi Islands. Youll pass a number of possible side trips or overnight camps: Finally, youll reach Alice Springs and yes, as its our home town weve created a huge array of resources and advice: Want an easy print version of this page PLUS vehicle preparation and exclusive outback packing guides? We have the rental for about 17 days so will need to fill up. Hello About 1km over the border is the Victory Downs/Mulga Park Road. Im so glad youve found it helpful, Kerryalina. Save your money and do a mine tour in Coober Pedy. Would like to know, is summer okay to drive to Located 275km south of Alice Springs, Kulgera is the name of both a town and an ancient outcrop of granite rocks. Thank you again for a help full, fantastic well put together website. Kulgera is a small town only 19 km north of the border. Glendambo came into existence when the main highway was realigned in 1982 which left Kingoonya 44 km off the main road. YEA! as a worker's camp for the Transcontinental Railway in the early 20th Driving from Adelaide to Alice Springs is a long way. Thank you so much for all the detailed information! I now feel officially much less daunted.You know there are always good people in the world, but hearing about your experiences of breaking down and getting help from lovely people certainly bolsters my faith in humans! Ironically, many Aboriginal people Ive worked with in the west of the Northern Territory and into Western Australia remember being moved out of their traditional lands in the 1950s, 60s and even the early 70s, as rockets tested here at Woomera were fired into what were then considered unpopulated areas of Australia. Sorry Anthony, but there ARE no cheap rental car options. The alternative? There are plenty of walks and gorges to explore and so much flora and fauna to see. Ive just been reading up on Coober pedy as Ill be stopping there today yesterday was a pleasant 24 degrees in glendambo but Im expecting a hotter day today. Learn how to change a tyre. It gave us a few invaluable tips for our recent school holiday road trip from Adelaide to Alice Springs / Ularu and back again. Thanks so much, regards, Jo. From Kingoonya a track goes south to the Mount Ive Im wanting to do it again with a side trip to Kings canyon also. You too have a fabulous site, and youve put a lot of hard work into it , Hi Amanda As a rule, if you are worried, fill up your fuel tank at EVERY opportunity and youll be fine. Cairns for the Reef is also a must. Im planning this road trip currently and this page is the most useful and informative I have come across. What would be your recommendations? I will scamper off the road if possible to avoid risk to myself and to my little car called Rita. This is also a national highway, the Princes Highway also called Highway 1 in Australia. I hired a sat nav just in case and hope not to have to use it. Thanks Christine. Do u live in Alice? So went with our route. Are there any specific advice that you think we should know? Hi, my husband is very optimistically driving us from Sydney to Uluru during the July holidays, starting on the 9th July for 3 weeks. Travelling these distances with my wife and in the beginning two very young daughters you cannot be too carefull. Firstly I congratulate you on wanting to a road trip rather than fly everywhere. Terms and Conditions Is this a good time to tavel? Our 4th oldest child is a yoga teacher! reach Coober Pedy. Now I know hows condition of road from Alice to Adelaide. GET THIS ENTIRE GUIDE PLUS BONUS VEHICLE PREPARATION AND PACKING GUIDE AS A PDF. There is fuel at the caravan park and usually cheaper than Glendambo. And yes my wife would be driving as well. Thankyou. This helped plan my ride last year to spectate at the Finke Desert Race and really helped my Adelaide to Alice ride. Established Having said that, I drove a small Holden Barina from Adelaide a few years back, and had no problems. You can It is worth to stop for a night and explore Australia's opal capital. Is this the right time and weather conditions? [5] cheers. Australia Distance Calculator and Driving Distance Between Cities Enter the "Distance From" city, village, town, airport or place name from Australia in the first text box. Ive broken down on the Stuart Highway ALONE and Ive been helped by passers-by. right on the junction of Stuart Hwy and the Oodnadatta Track. Water. Say goodbye to the Northern Territory today as you head over the NT/SA border into South Australia. . Get in touch with us here for details. Things to see & do in Alice Springs Tour After not quite an hour, youll reach Glendambo, a tiny little settlement just off the Stuart Highway. Route. I will have a back up car that will hopefully come to look for me should my little 89 year old rocket spit her dummy along the way.
