Explorers Way - 18 day itinerary

One of the great Australian road trips is without a doubt from Adelaide to Darwin, along the Explorers Way. Visit some of Australia’s favourite natural icons, including Uluru and Kata Tjuta, Watarrka National Park/ Kings Canyon, the MacDonnell Ranges, Karlu Karlu/ Devils Marbles, Nitmiluk National Park and Litchfield National Park. 

Days 1 – 4:     Adelaide to Coober Pedy (846km)

Day 5:        Coober Pedy to Uluru (734km)

On arrival into Yulara, the main township near Uluru, check into your accommodation at one of the many hotels at Ayers Rock Resort, and join your evening dining experience; there are several options on offer including:

Wintjiri Wiru – three experiences available
Tali Wiru – an intimate dining option for two
Uluru Sacred Sites and Sunset with BBQ – includes a tour to the base of Uluru and a visit to the Cultural Centre 
Uluru Sunset BBQ – a great option for families  

Day 6 :      Uluru

Wake early to experience an Uluru sunrise, it is definitely worth getting up for!  There are several options to explore Uluru, including Uluru Highlights, Desert Awakenings, Sunrise Journeys or for the more active, the Uluru Morning Guided Base Walk.

Return to the resort in the late morning and spend the afternoon on an activity such as Uluru Camels Tours, or stay local and check out the shops in the Town Centre and visit the Gallery of Central Australia (GOCA). 

Tonight enjoy the Field of Light dinner, which includes watching the sunset over the Field of Light installation, while enjoying drinks and canapés, before heading to the Sounds of Silence dinner. Alternatively you can enjoy the Field of Light Star Pass (drinks and canapés included) before heading back to the resort for dinner. 

Day 7:      Uluru

This morning, head to Kata Tjuta, another rock formation located just 40 kms from Uluru, which is stunning at sunrise. It’s definitely worth a visit.

This afternoon enjoy a scenic helicopter flight, join with one of the free resort activities on offer, or relax by one of the resort pool.

Tonight, enjoy dinner at the Ilkari Restaurant at Sails in the Desert, Arnguli Grill and Restaurant in Desert Gardens, or for a more relaxed vibe, head over to the Outback BBQ and Bar, located in the Outback Hotel.

Day 8:        Uluru to Kings Canyon Resort (326km)

Get up early for a sunrise Uluru Segway Tour, a fun way to circumnavigate the base of Uluru. The tour includes a light breakfast and training, so no experience is needed! 

Return to the resort in time to check out and depart for Kings Canyon. The easy drive takes around 3 hours.  

Stop off at the Mt Conner lookout on the way.  Mt Conner is often mistaken as Uluru and is nicknamed Fooluru.  You can also view the Lake Amadeus salt plains from the sand dunes behind the lookout. 

Arrive into the beautiful Watarrka National Park.  Accommodation options in Kings Canyon include:
Discovery Resorts - Kings Canyon
Kings Creek Station

Options for dinner tonight include the King Canyon Bar and Grill, and Carmichaels Restaurant at Discovery Resorts Kings Canyon, and the Bough House at Kings Creek Station, or self-cook BBQ packs for the glamping option.

Day 9:        Kings Canyon

Start the day with a self-guided Kings Canyon Rim Walk.  Ensure to start early, as the walk takes around 3 – 4 hours. The start is the most difficult, with around 500 steep steps to climb however you will be rewarded with spectacular views once at the top!
In the afternoon, join a Karrke Aboriginal Cultural Tour for a truly authentic Aboriginal cultural experience.

For dinner, try the Under the Desert Moon dining experience located at Discovery Resorts – Kings Canyon.

Day 10:     Kings Canyon to Alice Springs (475km)

This morning wake early to experience the Light Towers at Sunrise before checking out of your accommodation and heading to Alice Springs via the Lasseter Highway.  This drive will take approx. 5 hours. Stop in at Erldunda Roadhouse for coffee or lunch, before continuing onto Alice Springs.

Arrive in Alice Springs in the mid-afternoon and check into your accommodation. Options include:
Double Tree Alice Springs
Crowne Plaza Alice Springs

For dinner tonight, head to Hanuman located in the DoubleTree Hilton, just a few minutes’ walk from the Crowne Plaza.

Day 11:     Alice Springs 

Wake early and join the Outback Ballooning Sunrise flight – it is worth the early start! Enjoy a beautiful sunrise and once you have landed safely, help pack up the balloon, before enjoying a glass of bubbles and a light breakfast.

After returning to the hotel, enjoy a rest and lunch before exploring Alice Springs on a historical tour with Emu Run Experience or AAT Kings. The half day tour will give you a great overview of Alice Springs. 

Tonight, head to Earth Sanctuary for Dinner and Stars which includes a fascinating astronomy experience after dinner.

Day 12:        West MacDonnell Ranges

Join a guided tour to the West MacDonnell Ranges to experience some of the amazing sites in the region.  A significant area for the local Arrernte people, visitors can learn about the Aboriginal history, swim in multiple natural swimming holes, enjoy one of the many short walks and spot rare wildlife.  The area is definitely worth a visit.

Full day tours are on offer with Autopia Tours and Emu Run Experience and a half day tour is available with AAT Kings.  

Day 13:     Alice Springs to Tennant Creek (508km)

Depart Alice Springs for Tennant Creek and make time to stop at Karlu Karlu/ Devils Marbles, a sacred site to the Warumungu people. These massive ancient granite boulders are strewn across a wide shallow valley, and continue to crack and change. Head to Tennant Creek, a small NT town, with a population of just over 3,000 people.  Here you’ll find all amenities including a supermarket, chemist, petrol and accommodation at Safari Lodge Motel and Bluestone Motor Inn. 

Day 14:     Tennant Creek to Daly Waters (394km)

Just out of Tennant Creek you may wish to stop by Mary Ann Dam or the Tennant Creek Telegraph Station Historical Reserve. As you travel further north, you’ll notice how the environment around you is changing. The Daly Waters Historic Pub is a popular place to stay overnight. The pub and grounds are crammed with memorabilia revealing the pub’s colourful history and those who have passed through its doors. Stay the night and make the most of this notoriously characteristic pub.        

Day 15:        Daly Waters to Katherine (270km)

As you make your way towards Katherine, take a break from driving and enjoy a rejuvenating swim in the Mataranka Thermal Pool or Bitter Springs, before you arrive in Katherine, the NT’s fourth largest town.  

Alternatively, you can stop for a refreshing dip in the Katherine Hot Springs, a series of clear pools fed by a natural thermal spring on the banks of the Katherine River. 

Explore the Katherine township including the visitor centre for updates of local information and pick up a coffee from the Black Russian Caravan.  A visit to the Godinymayin Yijard Rivers Arts and Culture Centre (GYRACC) is a must do where you can buy local Aboriginal art.

Head to Top Didj Cultural Experience and Art Gallery.  The art gallery sells Aboriginal art, didgeridoos, artefacts, gifts and books, all of which are locally sourced.       

Afterwards, head to Cicada Lodge for tonight’s accommodation. Cicada Lodge is located at Nitmulik Gorge, just 20 minutes from Katherine. This evening, dine at the Cicada Lodge restaurant.

Alternative accommodation includes:
Nitmiluk Cabins
Contour Hotel 
Knotts Crossing Resort

Day 16:     Nitmiluk Gorge

Enjoy the day at beautiful Nitmiluk Gorge with Nitmiluk Tours. Spend the morning enjoying a cultural experience with an Ancient Garlarr River Safari, which includes a cruise along the first gorge, stopping along the way to learn about the geology, geography, rock art, bush medicine and cultural traditions distinct to this region.

For something more active, enjoy the Malapparr Traveller half day canoe tour, which begins with a scenic boat cruise through the first gorge before exploring the second gorge and beyond by canoe. 

Spend the early afternoon relaxing by the pool or exploring the area including the Bariwei Lookout before enjoying dinner on the Nabilil Dreaming Sunset Dinner Cruise. Here you will learn about the local Jawoyn people, while cruising through the Nitmiluk Gorge. The fine dining, candlelit experience includes a three course meal, wine and beer and runs for 3 ½ hours.

Day 17:        Katherine to Darwin (317km)

Head into Katherine to catch the Katherine Outback Experience, to learn about the rich pastoral cultural and history through real horse-starting and working dog demonstrations

Enjoy lunch in Katherine before departing for Darwin.  The Adelaide River Inn is worth a stopover, which you can meet ‘Charlie’ the Buffalo, who starred alongside Paul Hogan in the movie Crocodile Dundee and the Adelaide River War Cemetery is a reminder of the impact of WWII on the Territory and commemorating military and civilian casualties.

Day 18:        Darwin

Explore the township of Darwin, the NT’s tropical capital city.  From the sparkling harbour and WWII history, to the city’s Asian-influenced food and tropical outdoor lifestyle, Darwin is an adventurer’s paradise.

Optional add on: 
-    3 day Darwin itinerary
-    5 day Kakadu itinerary