If you are only planning to travel on the Lasseter Highway and Stuart Highway, these are excellent bitumen highways, and you wont need a 4WD. I will be self sufficient and not need help other than maybe finding my way back to my tent in the dark. Our other must cities: Perth & Darwin. If I need any further advice, would you mind if I contact you directly. Route planner. Roadtrains travelling at night and around dawn and dusk, collide with kangaroos and as you might expect, poor Skippy doesnt stand a chance. What a fabulous site Very well put together Itinery. drive through the different climate zones of Australia. It's a straight slog up the Stuart Highway from the last roadhouse . It seems like the only available car company who offer this is Hertz. You can also enter airport name or code from Northern Territory (Australia) in above fields. In June 2014, I drove from Alice Springs to Port Pirie in one day and then back to Alice Springs after staying a day in Port Pirie. How far is Alice Springs from Gold Coast - driving distance - Trippy From Alice-springs to the South Pole, it is 4,580.59 mi (7,371.74 km) in the north. There is a second longer dirt road that leads back to the Highway, the pub will point that out if you ask. Our 4th oldest child is a yoga teacher! The complex has a restaurant, take-away food, post office Enter the "Distance From" city, village, town, airport or place name from Northern Territory (Australia) in the "Distance From" (first) text box. Now I am so excited! $90 - $140. This is a fairly short stretch of the journey, with the prize of mobile phone coverage and a small supermarket at Marla. Theres also a few more hills. is at the entrance of Alice Springs, nestled at the base of the We regularly have below zero temps in July in the wee morning hours. Slow travel -with an emphasis on experience and enjoyment- is our travel philosophy. Their biggest attraction is that visitors can feed rainbow-like bands of coloured rocks. Thats great Amanda. Yes, there will be fuel stations open on Xmas Day in major centres. even make a detour to the Flinders Ranges before you go on the long Go STRAIGHT ahead through this intersection, otherwise youll find yourself on the way to the Barossa Valley. The GPS will work fine as it runs off satellites not the phone network. Once known as "The Track", the Stuart Highway was named after explorer John McDouall Stuart who discovered a route through Australia's inland on several excursions in the 1850s and 1860s. I woiuld be using the TOM TOM GPS as well. As a rule, if you are worried, fill up your fuel tank at EVERY opportunity and youll be fine. We could have flown but I have lived here for over 40 years and had never seen the outback so we decided to drive. As you travel further north on the Stuart Highway, you'll notice a change of colour in Hi Amanda. Get driving directions . Absolutely magic. Providing it is in good mechanical condition however it should be ok. We are not saying dont drive at night but it is not recommended due to the potential for large animals to be on the road. Just one question: Do the fuel stations carry 95 LPG or higher? So it had to go to my Kindle. One time it was an Indian family from Melbourne who helped me! Weve written about the great outback car hire rip off elsewhere on the site. Mobile phone coverage: Telstra reception is available all the way. There is accommodation at the Eldo Hotel and the Woomera Caravan Park. 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. Lake Hart is one of these glistening salt lakes South Australia is famous for. Thanks for any answer you will give me. If you feel like catching up when you get to Alice, let me know send me an email via the contact us form on the website. Theres a couple of accommodation choices here, and there are actually two roadhouses here not just the big BP one. Today the Stuart Highway begins in Port Augusta, 305 km north of Or I just need to know how many jerry cans to carry to make it through the longest stint without 95. As long as you car is serviced regularly and in good running order, there is no reason why it shouldnt be fine to drive to Adelaide. Ive broken down on the Stuart Highway ALONE and Ive been helped by passers-by. Thank you so much Stay until late The food is better. the red centre. The rooms are spacious and comfortable weve stayed here several times in the past few years. Thanks for your kind words its an epic post (like many of our posts tend to be), Im just a little shame-jobbed that its taken me so long to get this one up here. Although the road is a bit boring, we enjoyed seeing lots of wedge-tailed eagles along the route. Ive never been out there, so I cant say what the road is like. Although you have nearly reached Alice Springs now, it is worth to is a great place that offers motel rooms, cabins and a caravan park. Yes, you're approaching the beautiful red centre! We planned with a group of about 8 people to go to Uluru from Melbourne. Have your car serviced before you go. Terms and Conditions Having said that, I drove a small Holden Barina from Adelaide a few years back, and had no problems. Route. km means Glendambo is 113 km from Pimba and 252 km lie ahead of you to Distance in miles gives you the mileage between cities by this Northern Territory (Australia) mileage calculator. Get it here: We really hope youve enjoyed and found this page useful. There are quite a few alternative stops along the way but of course this is up to you. refuel before your leave. Isabelle and Jean-Claude The colours of the hills are marvellous Maps of the Red Centre covering Alice Springs, Tennant Creek, Uluru and Kings . Would love a write up from Alice up have you written one or do you know of one. Facilities: 6 modern motel rooms, budget cabins, caravan Thankyou. Self-drive | Alice Springs to Adelaide | 5 Days It is only a short drive today to the Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park, located in the Flinders Ranges,if you head off early you will have the whole day to explore! to the east. Leaving from Adelaide on Tuesday. For one last look at Spencer Gulf and the Flinders Ranges, stop at the Range View rest stop (61km km from Port Augusta). The mobile phone coverage on the Stuart Highway/Lasseter Highway is all Telstra (patchy) and Optus in Cadney and Kulgera roadhouses. , Epic trip to Uluru - travelling with 3 kids What would your recommendation be? Mobile phone coverage: Telstra 3G for approximately 30km either side of Glendambo and then again coming into Coober Pedy. in 1969. We would like end our tour in Darwin but Ive some doubts about the weather. Hi Amanda, the time you have taken to put all your knowledge is writing is amazing and oh so helpful. Northern Territory Driving Distance Calculator, Distance Between Cities If you need to contact us email us at traveloutbackoz@gmail.com. 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. The distance is the same either way if you're flying a straight line (or driving the same roads back and forth). McDouall Stuart was the first European who saw this landmark in 1860. Along the way, explore Coober Pedy, the In the NT, you'll drive through the major centres of Alice Springs, Tennant Creek and Katherine before arriving in Darwin. Uluru is a must-see. As 21/22 year olds on our first road trip through the outback the information and advice you have given was invaluable and made our trip much safer and more enjoyable. Janet and Max. Although you can drive from Port Augusta to Alice in one day, trust me when I say that its a very LOOOONG day! Hi, my husband is very optimistically driving us from Sydney to Uluru during the July holidays, starting on the 9th July for 3 weeks. 20km north of Erldunda, then there is NOTHING until about 40km south of Alice Springs. Alice Springs offers heaps of attractions to its visitors, too many to list them all in this place. Brilliant information. This site was very useful for our drive to Alice Springs. Hi Amanda i just recently found out about this useful chat forum and as im planning to drive in a rent a car from pt Augusta to Darwin in September with a mate i would appreciate if you could provide me with some useful information. Travel. :) car and stretch your legs. Should we rent a Sat phone just in case we break down? 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. Continuing on the Stuart Highway, you'll reach Alice Hi, Choose convenient units: miles, kilometres for driving distance. Simply fill up at Glendambo and you should have plenty of fuel to get to Coober Pedy. We have blown worn tyres (two within 15 min) driving on the Oodnadatta Track in January when it was 47 degrees. We enjoyed Alice Springs so much on our first trip that we stayed and worked there until our kids finished schooling. We particularly appreciated Coober Pedy and adored stopping for the night at the roadhouses. From Pimba, youre travelling through some interesting country, dotted with salt lakes and the occasional lookout stop that just begs a photo. Say goodbye to the Northern Territory today as you head over the NT/SA border into South Australia. Its about 11-12 hours of driving in total. You can also enter airport name or code from Australia in above fields. Cheers. You would try Wicked Campers they might be a better option. Launch map view Distance: 603.7 km Duration: 20h 58m Want to know more about travelling around Australia Road rest stops in NT | NT.GOV.AU - Northern Territory performance might sound a bit strange for your ears. Ive even broken down on this road in a wee little Barina I didnt need a sat phone to get help. We are renting a Toyota RAV4. Theres a few Geocaches scattered along this section which make the trip more interesting, too. CONTACT The drive from Marla to Alice Springs is not the most exciting one you're likely to do in Australia. 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). Is this the right time and weather conditions? Its VERY hot up here at the moment, so make sure your air con is working. If you have enough of the bitumen, you can escape to the There is also a fuel station and general store. Get in touch with us here for details. Wed really appreciate it if you SHARED this post on Facebook, Pinterest or Twitter if youve found it useful. Springs in two hours / 200 km. and camping facilities. Read our exclusive. This is such a great post! Find a geocache. While I realise you are now away if you do happen to read my post and are able to reply I would be very grateful, as I have just read to take 10 litres of water per person And wondering if this is only when camping? THANK YOU . This is going to be a big help I feel. Just wondering is there way that your most recent relevant review/ comment eg 2018 comes up at the top instead of having to scroll through as it starts at 2014 and no doubt many changes from 2014. Enjoy your travels. The infamous Kulgera cutouts home to many a silly photo! Stuart surveyed the region west of Lake Eyre on his second and This drive takes you through Anna Creek Station; thelargest cattle station in the world. Distance from Alice Springs to Palmerston 1284 km. . Turn west and follow the Lasseter Highway to Yulara, the village on the edge of Uluru / Kata Tjuta National Park. Alice Springs | Official visitor information | NT, Australia Construction of the current 828 km (515 mi) kilometre line from Tarcoola to Alice Springs began in April 1975, opening in October 1980. This is also one section of the trip where emus are quite commonly seen so be on the lookout for them. Your tips around stops and phone coverage are great as Ive been able to let family know, and as we are travelling with a toddler, we know how long to keep him occupied between stops The Roadhouse has a very large motel-style accommodation area, and a camping/caravan ground at the rear. Free roadside campsites: Check them out on Wikicamps. There's a road to William Creek, But for a real trip, there can be plenty of differences so go ahead and check the reverse directions to get the distance from Alice Springs to Gold Coast, or go to the main page to calculate the distance between cities. Save your money and do a mine tour in Coober Pedy. you come from the north and want to go to the Gawler Ranges or the Eyre We just returned to Luxembourg, Europe, after our trip in a campervan from Melbourne to Uluru, Kings Canyon and Alice Springs. Youve got an easy 20km trip until you come to Kulgera Roadhouse, which bills itself as the first and last pub in the Territory. An interesting side trip is to Roxby Downs and Andamooka however, we recommend doing this as an overnight trip. Is it the good car to go ahead for this drive. Regards and thank you. This is an exceptional guide, thank you for taking the time to put it together and share it so generously. We were able to get one fixed in Coober Pedy and then continued home via the Stuart Highway. The roadhouse has all types of fuel and offers A lookout is 10 km off the highway, SITE MAP We are on our way back to Scotland after nine fantastic years in Melbourne we are in Noosa at the moment and we head off to Cairns on Sunday, and then as they say the fun begins , Facilities: The late Spud Murphy started Spud's Roadhouse Kulgera sits on the junction of the Stuart Hwy and the road to Apulta. Margaret Morgan. Alice Springs to Kings Canyon - 2 ways to travel via bus, and car I enjoyed the bird life during the day, but not the quarrel a few 2nd to 13th September 2018, my trip info and photos on the link above I am hoping to take my 2WD Golf up, Ive read everything youve written and I will heed all of your advice. GET THIS ENTIRE GUIDE PLUS BONUS VEHICLE PREPARATION AND PACKING GUIDE AS A PDF. This will display the dropdown with suggested places in Northern Territory (Australia); Select the desired Address /Place /City /Village /Town /Airport from both the dropdown lists. This is probably going to be the slowest and the most frustrating part of the journey. In fact we are planning some night driving ( a few hours on some nights), but after reading your post I am rethinking now. southern farmlands through the central deserts to the tropical north This is a very long Peta. Driving across the Nullarbor Plain - Tourism Australia Saw a few animals (emus, sheep, cows, crows and a couple of beautiful eagles on the way home) but only had one lot cross in front of us, a ewe and her little twins. Keep a watch out for wildlife and the changing landscapes the further south you get. They also offer links to more information. Or are your driving time estimates factored more for standard vehicles? 2110km. Pleased we walked around Uluru early in the day. Kind regards. While you are there, don't miss to stop by at the Andamooka Yacht Club, the new tourism hub & cafe.On the way you'll pass by Woomera and Roxby Downs. My question or concern is, would there be fuel stations open (for trade) on Christmas day. How far is Alice Springs from Melbourne? Hi Max, the car is ok but you have not allowed very much time for this journey! Luckily I was concentrating and had enough time to stop for them. So do you have any suggestions, tips for us? Jenny, Hi Amanda and Gary, great issue and info on road trip to Alice Springs. We drove our Subaru Forester so didnt do any off road driving. So far have a 2-week NSW train pass route planned. ), stopping every hour or so to swap driving with my mum. We have been told this is because overseas tourists to the NT have far more motor vehicle accidents than anywhere else. We are planning a round trip to Uluru form Adelaide in July. accommodation, both underground and above ground. 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. The pub has way more outback/bush atmosphere than Glendambo (Ive spent weeks at Glendambo, trust me on this), including hot outdoor fires in the cooler months (you might have to ask John to light one if numbers are low). Im hoping that you could update us on the ever changing cell phone coverage. Facilities: 47 motel rooms, backpacker accommodation, swimming pool, dining room, shop and fuel. Jatin. I am very excited about this trip and will share my experience upon completion of our road trip. Travelling these distances with my wife and in the beginning two very young daughters you cannot be too carefull. You will need a lot of room to overtake safely. Fuel & food available: Glendambo & Coober Pedy. How many days should be enough. If youre interested in learning more about this, please watch the DVD Benny and the Dreamers. Thanks so much for all the hardwork that went into this invaluable travel guides to an Oz icon highway. That will depend on the size of your fuel tank. Hi! Nonstop drive: 1,403 miles or 2258 km Driving time: 23 hours, 47 minutes This is a really long drive, so it's not very realistic to drive nonstop. It will make you cry with bittersweet tears. Choose from wide range of accommodation. Back here now to plan 2019 ride. Youve inspired me to drive up from Melbourne to see Uluru. It is about 8 hours drive from Melbourne to Adelaide, plus it will take you about 15 hours from Adelaide to Alice Springs and then about the same from Alice Springs to Darwin and this allows for only fuel stops. Hopefully theres underground or at least undercover parking for the car also? Your answers would be greatly appreciated.Thanks Richard. However, I think crossing the border is a reason to get off your I really look forward to this drive and after living out bush for a bit I know what its like to drive in the dirt and on long, empty roads with wonderful cattle peeking from the side of the road haha. 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! [5] Many fuel stations even refill, so keep an eye out for these. Also, cant decide if we should take a campervan or just a 4WD and stay along the way. Both I and my husband cannot get over how well you have put all this together so well! Yes, the Stuart Highway is most definitely sealed all the way from Adelaide to Darwin and has been sealed for several decades. 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. Distance between two point in Australia with marked route on map, mileage, driving directions and weather forecast. Perhaps the most remarkable thing about this section is the amount of roadkill you see. Im wondering if we could get from Coober Pedy to Yulara in a motorhome in one day? You can drive a section on the track, and return to the highway at Coober Pedy or Marla. My maternal grandmother taught yoga until she was 80 (shes now 96) so it could be in my genes. Such a good info at one place. Yes very helpful. Port Augusta - population ~15,250 is on the edge of the South Are there any companies that you would recommend? Comments like yours make all the hours we put in with the website worthwhile. Select an option below to see step-by-step directions and to compare ticket prices and travel times in Rome2rio's travel planner. You can also reach the Oodnadatta Track from Cadney via the painted desert. Hoping to get to finally do our road trip in the coming weeksfingers crossed! As this is a very short stretch, theres not a lot to stop and see just keep going until Erldunda where youll have mobile phone reception again. Thank you so much for your valuable information. 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? Before departing Coober Pedy join an Opal Mine and Museum tour (the first tour is at 10 am) so you can learn about this famous town. Oh my god this was so unbelievably helpful. . thank you I noticed you said the last petrol stop is 257km from coober pedy. In few days I will be in Melbourne to meet my doughter. Much obliged, Ps we are not scheduled back in Scotland until mid May, I am driving my little 1929 Austin Seven roadster from Adelaide to Alice Springs leaving 1st June. Can you please guide. Thanks for getting in touch. Do u live in Alice? There are also budget style donga rooms, showers and a large camp kitchen area. Appreciate the valuable information. Regarding water, I strongly recommend carrying 10-20 litres no matter where youre travelling in the outback, even if youre not camping. Alice Springs to Sydney - 4 ways to travel via train, plane - Rome2rio Port Wakefield Road is the quickest route from Adelaide to Port Augusta as it bypasses all the small country towns. Next we headed out to the Alice Springs Desert Park to check out all the wildlife we might encounter over the next few days of our trip. Finally, after a long drive along the Stuart Highway, you'll arrive in the largest town of central Australia. Don't miss a stop in the award-winning Clare Valley wine region; the perfect end to your road trip. Alice Springs - Wikipedia Im not sure where Ill be early August at this stage. $2,980 - $3,300. There are 4 ways to get from Alice Springs Airport (ASP) to Alice Springs by taxi, car, shuttle or towncar. Things to see & do in Alice Springs Tour Thanks, Mark! 9 Ways to Get Around the Australian Outback, Me and My Cooper Tires, Road Tripping During Summer, MY experience of breaking down on this road, Use Wikicamps to find ALL of the free campsites, Find free campsites using this very inexpensive app, Wikicamps shows you EVERY free & secret campsite, Check out Wikicamps for all free campsites, https://adelaidetoalicesprings.blogspot.com/, Rest Frequently. You start to see many more acacia shrubs and eventually our beloved outback Mulga trees (very good firewood when its dry). There is almost complete coverage from Port Augusta to Coober Pedy nowadays, with coverage also at Glendambo, Erldunda and of course, Uluru. From Coober Pedy, you head north once more, passing lots of mullock heaps, and traversing some low, barren hills. This helped plan my ride last year to spectate at the Finke Desert Race and really helped my Adelaide to Alice ride. I live in Alice n plan to travel Melbourne by road trip. Your info about phone coverage, fuel, food etc is most helpful but where are we able to fill gas cylinders. These detours can be done with a sturdy car in dry conditions. . Hi,Amanda, what can I say, have been searching the net for information, we are heading up to Alice Springs from Melbourne 1st August,luck was with me by finding your site about a month ago, so much info, thank you for your dedication, ye-ha, wife Judy is rearing to go, see you in Alice, cheers, Just makes me want to get up and go thank you for great info, Great Post!! Need some advice from u, i fu can please, Hey, what a great and informative read! Greyhound Australia operates a bus from Marla to Alice Springs once daily. Length: 1202 km (South Australia Border to Alice Springs: 294 km) Northern Terminus: Carpentaria Highway (NR1) at Daly Waters Southern Terminus: SA Border, 20 km south of Kulgera Roadhouse Miscellaneous: Continues as A1 (Stuart Highway) to Darwin and continues as A87 in South Australia The distance between cities of Northern Territory (Australia) is calculated in kilometers (kms), miles and nautical miles. You can actually get it for most of the way to Coober Pedy -thanks to the two big new mines (Prominent Hill and the other one whose name escapes me)- but it is a little patchy, so best not to rely on it there. Earlier drivers of Austin Sevens didnt have the comfort of tarred roads and they managed so I guess I will manage quite well also. Read our, The Hugh River Stock Route, which leads to Oak Valley Campground, Titjikala, the Old Ghan Track and. I havent been able to find any info on this however will ask around here before I set off this morning. I cant wait to go now haha, I love Australia and Im sure our 5yr old will enjoy this trip immensely, Hi Amanda , Driving north from South Australia, take the Stuart Highway from Adelaide through Coober Pedy into the Northern Territory. Otherwise, Britz but theyre VERY expensive, unless you can find a rental relocation. Hello If we will drive along the mainroad, do you foresee possible dangers or is it a quite, easy long drive and we must just care about fuel and water? Kulgera Roadhouse. Ive never done Bikram, though. Let me take you on an epic journey to Australia's red centre, the first section of the famous Stuart Highway. My pleasure, Gill! Also as your blog appears to be a few years old has the price of Fuel gone down in between towns and are some places cheaper than others. Is there a way?It would be great if youd have this page as a PDF is the same info in that book? Thank you for your beautiful site! Namaste ? I have never done this drive but am used to long distance driving as i regularly drive nonstop from melb to noosa and back. So a big thank you to you. This was VERY helpful and now the journey seems so much less overwhelming. I recently got a job in Alice and thinking to move there with my wife, 3 yrs old son and 4 months old daughteer. We had a fabulous time, Central Australia is so beautiful and diverse as you say. After not quite an hour, youll reach Glendambo, a tiny little settlement just off the Stuart Highway. Thanks So glad I found your site! BLOG Would you think that you could keep to your driving itinerary in a motorhome or towing a van? Thanks Christine. Does it work where there is no phone signals? We are planning a trip next year (2019) from Mackay to Perth and return. 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. Would like to know, is summer okay to drive to John usually a busy place, especially with trucks. What would be your recommendations? Furthermore, the $7.49 I paid on the wiki camps app was the best money Ive ever spent! And if I were to return to Alice Spring instead, only Europcar is available and the daily rental is just as expensive. What a great read and wealth of information! Thanks for your detailed trip description, it has already proven handy in planning our trip. Wish us luck!! My brother-in-law and his friends are arriving from India for a Great Australian Road Trip. Beware of animals on the road kangaroos, camels, emus and cattle. The roadhouse is the most visible feature in town. It is located 275 kilometers south of Alice Springs and 21 kilometers north of the South Australian border making Kulgera Roadhouse the southernmost permanent settlement and Pub in the Northern Territory. Day 2 - Erldunda Roadhouse to Coober Pedy. So here are just a few of my favourites: Historical places fascinate me a lot, you'll find plenty of them in Alice. Can I suggest instead of Glendambo that people stay at Kingoonya. Stuart Highway (National Highway 87) - South Australia Border to Alice