Overview
Take on the iconic Explorer’s Way from Adelaide to Darwin on a 14-day campervan road trip, with Uluru, Kings Canyon, Katherine, Litchfield and the Australian Outback.
Trip Details
Kick off your Explorer’s Way road trip by picking up your Apollo camper in Adelaide. It’s also a good place to pick up and stock your camper, grab a proper coffee and make sure you’ve got everything you need before you turn the key north.
Today aims to get you to Port Augusta, sitting at the top of Spencer Gulf and often called the “crossroads of Australia”. It’s an easy first driving day, mostly on good highways, so you can ease into the trip.
Stops on the way:
Pull into Port Germein to stretch your legs on the historic jetty and grab a snack before the last short hop into Port Augusta.
Things to do in Port Augusta
Visit the Wadlata Outback Centre to get your head around the Outback and its history.
Walk the foreshore or lookout and get your first proper views of the Flinders Ranges in the distance.
Where to stay:
A holiday park or caravan park in Port Augusta with powered sites and easy access back to the highway.
Today you leave the gulf behind and start to feel the Outback properly. The road becomes quieter and the horizon stretches right out.
Stops on the way
Drive into Woomera township to see the open-air rocket and aircraft displays and pop into the small heritage centre. It’s a neat peek into Australia’s rocket testing history.
If you plan to stay in Glendambo, keep an eye out for the Lake Hart rest area along the way for a quick look at the salt lake.
Things to do
Take one or two short walks or scenic drives into the ranges for views of rock formations and wide valleys.
Keep an eye out for roos, emus and wedge-tailed eagles as you drive.
Where to stay
You can stay overnight in Woomera or Glendambo at a caravan park or campground, depending on how far you feel like driving.
Today, you head firmly into outback country as you drive to Coober Pedy. Once you’re back on the Stuart Highway, the land opens up into long, straight sections and low scrub – classic “big sky” driving.
Stops on the way
Drop into one of the salt lake lookouts or rest areas (if you didn’t manage Lake Hart yesterday) for a photo and a quick stretch. The white, flat expanse is a good reminder of how different this landscape already is from Adelaide.
Things to do in Coober Pedy (late afternoon)
Walk through town to spot your first underground homes and churches.
Duck into an opal shop or gallery to see the stone this town is built around.
Chat to the park reception or visitor centre about mine and dugout tours for tomorrow.
Where To Stay
BIG4 Stuart Range Outback Resort or another Coober Pedy holiday park, with powered sites and tour pick-up options
Slow the pace this morning and give Coober Pedy some proper time, then make a short move north in the afternoon to Marla so tomorrow’s drive to Uluru stays comfortable.
Things to do in Coober Pedy
Join an opal mine and dugout tour to see how people live and work below the surface.
Visit an underground church and a few local galleries.
Take a late-afternoon tour or self-drive (where allowed) out to the Kanku-Breakaways Conservation Park and the Dog Fence for wide desert views.
Where To Stay
Stay at Marla Travellers Rest – a classic roadhouse stop with a simple caravan park, fuel, food and wide-open night skies.
Today you cross the border into the Northern Territory and head for Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park. It’s a bigger driving day, but with a clear goal: seeing Uluru appear on the horizon.
Stop on the way
Stop at the South Australia / Northern Territory border sign for the classic photo and a leg stretch.
Break at Erldunda Roadhouse where the Stuart Highway meets the Lasseter Highway. It’s a good spot to refuel, grab something to eat and, if you’re travelling with kids, say hello to the emus in the enclosure.
Things to do at Uluru (late afternoon/evening):
Check into the Ayers Rock/Yulara campground and take a moment to settle in.
Head out to a sunset viewing area for your first proper look at Uluru as the colours shift through the evening.
Where to stay
Ayers Rock Resort campground or nearby holiday park at Yulara, with powered sites and shared facilities.
Today is all about Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park. With the camper already set up, you can just grab what you need for the day and go.
Things to do
Catch sunrise over Uluru if you’re happy to set an early alarm – it’s a very different feel from sunset.
Walk a section of the base track, stopping at rock art sites and waterholes and reading the interpretation signs as you go.
Spend some unhurried time at the Cultural Centre to understand the stories and significance of this place.
Drive across to Kata Tjuta and walk into Walpa Gorge (or further into the Valley of the Winds if conditions and your fitness allow).
If you’d like a special experience, book a camel ride, stargazing or a dinner under the stars.
Where To Stay
Stay a second night in Yulara at Ayers so you can be well rested for the next day.
Leave Uluru behind and drive towards Kings Canyon, watching the desert and ranges change shape as you go. With a shorter driving day, you can take your time getting organised and still arrive with daylight to spare.
Stops on the way
Use one of the scenic rest areas for a drink, photos and a quick wander; it’s a nice way to break up the drive and really look at the country you’re travelling through.
Things to do at Kings Canyon (afternoon/evening)
Take a short walk near the canyon floor or to a lookout to get a first sense of the scale of the gorge.
Check the latest track and temperature information for tomorrow’s Rim Walk so you can plan your start time.
Where To Stay
Kings Canyon campground or a nearby camping area with powered sites.
If you’re keen and the weather’s right, start early and tackle the Kings Canyon Rim Walk. The initial climb is a bit of a workout, but once you’re on the rim, the views out across the canyon and the surrounding desert are a highlight of the whole trip. If that feels too much, the Kings Creek Walk along the base is still a really rewarding option.
After brunch or a late breakfast, drive on towards Alice Springs. Depending on your vehicle and conditions on the day, you can either stick to the sealed Lasseter and Stuart Highways, or take a 4WD route like the Mereenie Loop if your rental agreement allows, although you would require a permit to drive there.
Things to do in Alice Springs (late afternoon/evening)
Grab dinner in town and wander through a couple of Aboriginal art galleries.
Head up to Anzac Hill for a simple but impressive view over Alice and the West MacDonnell Ranges.
Top up fuel, food and water ready for tomorrow.
Where To Stay
Alice Springs has multiple options of holiday parks and campgrounds with powered sites. Treat yourself to some rest and, ideally, a pool during this leg of your trip.
