13-Nights Explorers Way Road Trip: Adelaide to Darwin - Road Trips from $2,799

Itinerary Details

Day 1: Adelaide to Port Augusta

Depart from Adelaide and begin your journey north on the Princes Highway. As you travel, consider a stop in the picturesque Clare Valley, known for its charming vineyards and boutique wineries. Continuing on, you’ll pass through Port Pirie, where you can take a break to explore the Port Pirie Regional Art Gallery or enjoy a leisurely lunch. Arriving in Port Augusta, immerse yourself in the region’s history and landscapes at the Wadlata Outback Centre, an excellent introduction to the vast Outback you’ll be venturing into.

Hotel: Majestic Oasis Apartments (4 Star Rating)

This luxurious apartment complex boasts a stunning setting in Port Augusta. The complex is located within easy access of a number of attractions in the area, set overlooking the Upper Spencer Gulf. The complex welcomes guests into a world of luxury and style, comprising splendidly-appointed apartments. The apartments offer a decadent home away from home, featuring a sleek, contemporary design. The apartments come complete with modern amenities, for the ultimate in comfort and convenience. Guests can enjoy a leisurely swim in the pool, or choose to indulge in a barbeque for a truly memorable experience. This upscale complex affords guests a range of first-class facilities and services, ensuring a truly enjoyable stay.

Reception is open until 10.00pm pm only after these hours special arrangements need to made for check in - please enquire at time of booking for full details.

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Today, the drive takes you deep into the heart of the Outback along the Stuart Highway. A stop at Woomera offers a fascinating insight into Australia’s military and space exploration history. From here, continue through the strikingly desolate landscape until you reach Coober Pedy, the world’s opal mining capital. Explore this unique underground town, where homes, shops, and even churches are built below the surface to escape the desert heat. Visit the Umoona Opal Mine & Museum, and marvel at the Serbian Orthodox Church, carved directly into the rock.

Hotel: Coober Pedy Experience Motel (3 Star Rating)

Located entirely underground and sculpted from an original opal mine, The Comfort Inn™ Coober Pedy Experience is filled with natural history and wonder. This Coober Pedy accommodation offers 16 spacious en suite guest rooms with flexibility to accommodate families, individuals, couples, groups, and business travelers alike. Enjoy the peaceful ambiance as you walk through the hallways and tunnels featuring seams of opals, hidden caves and historical images of the building and surrounding areas.

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Spend the morning discovering more of Coober Pedy’s fascinating sights. Take a short drive to the Breakaways Conservation Park, where you’ll be rewarded with breathtaking views over a striking desert landscape. Departing Coober Pedy, travel north through arid terrain toward Marla, a remote roadhouse stop along the highway. Arriving in the afternoon, relax and soak in the vastness of the Outback.

Hotel: Marla Travellers Rest (2 Star Rating)

With its central location, Marla Travellers Rest Hotel is within easy reach of most tourist attractions and business addresses in Marla.

All hotels guestrooms have all the conveniences expected in a hotel in its class to suit guests' utmost comforts.

Modern comfort and convenience are seamlessly combined to ensure the guests' satisfaction.

Being one of the good quality hotels in Marla, guests staying at this hotel will find its convenient location and tranquil atmosphere pleasurable.

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Cross the border into the Northern Territory, watching as the scenery gradually changes on your approach to the Red Centre. The journey takes you past remote landscapes before finally arriving at Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park. As the day draws to a close, head to the viewing area to witness the incredible sight of Uluru at sunset, where the rock’s deep red hues transform before your eyes.

Hotel: Desert Gardens Hotel (3 Star Rating)

Imagine waking up to a sunrise view of Uluru, blazing red under a sunny Outback sky. Desert Gardens Hotel boasts the only rooms with views of Uluru in Ayers Rock Resort. Perched within an oasis of native gardens, the hotel’s 218 elegant guestrooms provide a relaxing retreat from a day of adventure. Accommodation options are diverse, from deluxe rock view rooms to shady poolside rooms, each located under a canopy of towering gumtrees and garden beds dotted with native shrubs and flowers.

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Rise early to catch the first light of dawn illuminating Uluru. Take the opportunity to walk or cycle around the base of the rock, discovering ancient Aboriginal rock art and sacred sites. Later, venture to Kata Tjuta (The Olgas), a striking collection of domed rock formations, and embark on the Valley of the Winds hike for panoramic views of the surrounding desert. In the evening, treat yourself to the Sounds of Silence Dinner, where you’ll dine under the stars while listening to fascinating stories of the region’s Aboriginal heritage.

Hotel: Desert Gardens Hotel (3 Star Rating)

Imagine waking up to a sunrise view of Uluru, blazing red under a sunny Outback sky. Desert Gardens Hotel boasts the only rooms with views of Uluru in Ayers Rock Resort. Perched within an oasis of native gardens, the hotel’s 218 elegant guestrooms provide a relaxing retreat from a day of adventure. Accommodation options are diverse, from deluxe rock view rooms to shady poolside rooms, each located under a canopy of towering gumtrees and garden beds dotted with native shrubs and flowers.

Rental Car: Hertz - Adelaide Aptto Darwin Apt

Leaving Uluru behind, journey through the Outback to Kings Creek Station, a working cattle station that offers a glimpse into life in this remote region. Upon arriving at Kings Canyon, take a short walk or relax before tomorrow’s hike.

Hotel: Discovery Kings Canyon Resort (3 Star Rating)

Kings Canyon Resort is a natural wonder located approximately halfway between Alice Springs and Uluru- literally at the heart of Australia's Red Centre. The Resort, Backpackers Lodge and Campground- offer accommodation for all travellers and the facilities of the resort provide an oasis of convenience in the middle of an ancient, rugged landscape.

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Begin the day with the unforgettable Kings Canyon Rim Walk, a breathtaking three- to four-hour hike that offers dramatic views of towering sandstone cliffs and lush valleys below. Afterward, set out on the drive to Alice Springs. Along the way, stop at Standley Chasm or Simpsons Gap, where striking rock formations create stunning desert gorges. Arrive in Alice Springs in the evening and settle in for the night.

Hotel: Alice on Todd Apartments (4 Star Rating)

Just 5 minutes’ drive from central Alice Springs, Alice on Todd Apartments offers fully self-contained accommodation with security gates on all entrances and free parking at your door. Flat-screen TV’s, reverse cycle air conditioning, washing machines and FREE Wi-Fi. Guests have access to the outdoor swimming pool, games room and children’s playground.

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Spend a full day exploring Alice Springs, a town rich in Indigenous culture and Outback heritage. Start with a visit to the Alice Springs Desert Park to learn about the region’s unique wildlife and ecosystems. Next, head up Anzac Hill for panoramic views of the town and surrounding ranges. A visit to the Royal Flying Doctor Service Museum offers insight into the vital medical services provided to remote communities. For an unforgettable experience, consider a hot air balloon ride over the MacDonnell Ranges at sunrise.

Hotel: Alice on Todd Apartments (4 Star Rating)

Just 5 minutes’ drive from central Alice Springs, Alice on Todd Apartments offers fully self-contained accommodation with security gates on all entrances and free parking at your door. Flat-screen TV’s, reverse cycle air conditioning, washing machines and FREE Wi-Fi. Guests have access to the outdoor swimming pool, games room and children’s playground.

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Leaving Alice Springs, continue north along the Stuart Highway. One of the highlights along the way is Karlu Karlu, also known as The Devil’s Marbles, a sacred Aboriginal site featuring massive boulders stacked in striking formations. Take some time to explore before continuing to Tennant Creek, a historic gold mining town.

Hotel: Bluestone Motor Inn (3 Star Rating)

The Bluestone Motor Inn is the perfect base from which to explore the diverse nature and culture of the Australian outback. 505km north of Alice Springs and 978km south of Darwin, the Bluestone is the perfect place to stay at the halfway mark along the track from Alice Springs to Darwin and back or coming west from Mt. Isa.

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Today’s journey takes you further into the Northern Territory, passing through vast, open landscapes. A must-stop along the way is the famous Daly Waters Pub, a quirky and historic roadhouse adorned with memorabilia from travelers passing through. Arriving in Katherine, settle in for a well-deserved rest after a long drive.

Hotel: Discovery Parks Katherine (3 Star Rating)

Dynamic Rates - Best Available Rate, Located 3.5 hours drive from Darwin and just 6kms outside of Katherine on the way to Nitmiluk Gorge is Discovery Parks – Katherine (formerly Shady Lane Tourist Park) - the perfect holiday base to experience the beauty and wonder of Katherine from.

Often described as where the outback meets the tropics, Katherine leaves you breathless with natural beauty like no other. A region full of gorges, misty waterfalls, thermal springs, and ancient cultures, a trip to Katherine will leave you wanting more.

There is no shortage of activities in Katherine – cruise, canoe or fly along Nitmiluk Gorge, bushwalk up the Jatbula Trail, visit Cutta Cutta Caves, enjoy a dip in Mataranka’s sandy-bottomed thermal pool, or learn about the local indigenous culture and history of the land.

Discovery Parks – Katherine offers a range of accommodation types from elevated to ground level studio cabins, villas, and large-powered sites for caravanners and campers.

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Spend the day discovering the natural beauty of the Katherine region. A highlight is taking a cruise through Nitmiluk (Katherine) Gorge, where towering sandstone cliffs rise dramatically from the water. Visit Cutta Cutta Caves to explore a fascinating underground limestone system, then relax in the warm, crystal-clear waters of the Katherine Hot Springs.

Hotel: Discovery Parks Katherine (3 Star Rating)

Dynamic Rates - Best Available Rate, Located 3.5 hours drive from Darwin and just 6kms outside of Katherine on the way to Nitmiluk Gorge is Discovery Parks – Katherine (formerly Shady Lane Tourist Park) - the perfect holiday base to experience the beauty and wonder of Katherine from.

Often described as where the outback meets the tropics, Katherine leaves you breathless with natural beauty like no other. A region full of gorges, misty waterfalls, thermal springs, and ancient cultures, a trip to Katherine will leave you wanting more.

There is no shortage of activities in Katherine – cruise, canoe or fly along Nitmiluk Gorge, bushwalk up the Jatbula Trail, visit Cutta Cutta Caves, enjoy a dip in Mataranka’s sandy-bottomed thermal pool, or learn about the local indigenous culture and history of the land.

Discovery Parks – Katherine offers a range of accommodation types from elevated to ground level studio cabins, villas, and large-powered sites for caravanners and campers.

Rental Car: Hertz - Adelaide Aptto Darwin Apt

Travel north to Kakadu National Park, one of Australia’s most iconic natural and cultural treasures. Along the way, stop at Pine Creek, a small historic gold mining town. Upon arriving in Kakadu, take a sunset cruise on Yellow Water Billabong, where you can spot crocodiles and birdlife in a stunning wetland setting.

Hotel: Mercure Kakadu Crocodile Hotel (2 Star Rating)

Located in the heart of Kakadu National Park, the Mercure Kakadu Crocodile Hotel is one of Australia’s most distinctive stays, uniquely designed in the shape of a crocodile. The hotel features 110 air-conditioned guest rooms, each with an ensuite bathroom, television, tropical ceiling fans, and room service. Guests can relax in one of three welcoming bars or enjoy regional flavours at the Escarpment Restaurant. For a more casual dining experience, the Billabong Barbecue offers outdoor meals beside the pool. Additional facilities include a swimming pool, craft shop, and access to a nearby golf course.

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Dedicate the day to exploring Kakadu’s breathtaking landscapes and ancient Aboriginal rock art. Visit Ubirr, where a short climb rewards you with incredible views over the floodplains. At Nourlangie Rock, marvel at well-preserved Indigenous rock paintings dating back thousands of years. If you’re up for an adventure, take a refreshing swim at Gunlom Falls or Maguk (Barramundi Gorge).

Hotel: Mercure Kakadu Crocodile Hotel (2 Star Rating)

Located in the heart of Kakadu National Park, the Mercure Kakadu Crocodile Hotel is one of Australia’s most distinctive stays, uniquely designed in the shape of a crocodile. The hotel features 110 air-conditioned guest rooms, each with an ensuite bathroom, television, tropical ceiling fans, and room service. Guests can relax in one of three welcoming bars or enjoy regional flavours at the Escarpment Restaurant. For a more casual dining experience, the Billabong Barbecue offers outdoor meals beside the pool. Additional facilities include a swimming pool, craft shop, and access to a nearby golf course.

Rental Car: Hertz - Adelaide Aptto Darwin Apt

On your final day, make your way towards Darwin, stopping at Fogg Dam Conservation Reserve to observe incredible birdlife. If time allows, take a detour through Litchfield National Park to see the stunning waterfalls at Florence Falls and Wangi Falls. Arriving in Darwin, explore the waterfront precinct or unwind at Mindil Beach Sunset Market for a perfect end to your journey.

Rental Car: Hertz - Adelaide Aptto Darwin Apt