Alice Springs to Darwin Road Trip Itinerary

As your plane descends over the vast red outback, you know you have arrived somewhere special where adventure awaits. Situated in Australia's geographic centre, Alice Springs is surrounded by gorges and stark desert plains. At 1,500 kilometres from the nearest city, it's certainly remote. But Alice brims with local colour you can't find anywhere else. You won't forget your visit in a hurry.

Alice Springs Desert Park: Nocturnal Tour
As the sun sets, you will see the desert springing to life: it's time for a fascinating night-time adventure in Alice Springs Desert Park. The Mulga Walk is a large predator-proof enclosure in the foothills of the park. Join an expert guide to spotlight the region's incredible endangered animals including bilby, echidna, and mala.

Accommodation: Alice Springs - 2 Nights

Easily accessed from Alice Springs, each of the West MacDonnell chasms and gorges has its own unique character and scenery. Drive, or jump on a bike and ride along the 17 kilometre cycle path, to Simpsons Gap to see the permanent waterhole and spot rock wallabies that live in the Gap's rocky ridges.

Photograph Standley Chasm at midday when it lights up in fiery colours. Find refreshing relief from the heat of the day at the picturesque swimming holes in Ellery Creek Big Hole, Ormiston Gorge, Glen Helen Gorge and Redbank Gorge.

Trek the Larapinta Trail, which stretches more than 223 kilometres from the Alice Springs Telegraph Station to Mount Sonder. Discover the Ochre Pits that desert Aboriginal people once used as a quarry for art and ceremonial body decoration.

Continue your outback expedition to Tennant Creek in the Barkly Tablelands. Pass through tiny Northern Territory townships along the way including Wycliffe Well, a UFO sighting hotspot!

Karlu Karlu (Devils Marbles) Conservation Reserve
Be sure to stop at the Devils Marbles, 100km south of Tennant Creek. These famous rocks have formed over millions of years; they are a sacred site for the traditional landowners, who believe them to be the eggs of the Rainbow Serpent, an important Dreamtime figure in Aboriginal culture.

Tennant Creek
Break your journey tonight at Tennant Creek, known for its million-acre cattle stations, gold mining history, iconic rock formations and Aboriginal heritage. Explore the Tennant Creek Telegraph Station to get a feel for life here 140 years ago. Built in 1872, it formed part of the Overland Telegraph Line linking Australia with the rest of the world.

Approximate Distance: 510 km | 317 miles   Total Driving Time: 5 hours 30 mins

Accommodation: Tennant Creek - 1 Night

Make your way up to the town of Daly Waters surrounded by vast outback landscapes. No Top End experience is complete without a trip to the multi-award winning Daly Waters Pub, whose comfortable hotel rooms will host you tonight. Feast on hearty "pub grub" and listen to the locals telling legendary tales of the town's early days. From cattle stampedes to murders and shootouts, this now-quiet location has had a colourful past!

Approximate Distance: 410 km | 255 miles   Total Driving Time: 4 hours 30 mins

Accommodation: Daly Waters - 1 Night

Head to the Katherine region to experience the incredible scenery of Nitmiluk National Park.

Also known as Katherine Gorge, the 13 gorges of Nitmiluk are hugely significant to their traditional owners, the Jawoyn people, as home to the spirits of creation.

Enjoy a relaxing Dinner Cruise in front of the magnificent Nitmiluk Gorge as it changes colour with the setting sun. Over a three-course candlelit dinner, you will discover the stories and ways of the Jawoyn people. With fresh local produce cooked on board and a glass of sparkling wine, you will soak up your tranquil surroundings in style.

Approximate Distance: 2305 km | 190 miles   Total Driving Time: 3 hours 15 mins

Accommodation: Nitmiluk National Park - 2 Nights

For a different perspective of Nitmiluk and breathtaking photo opportunities embark on an unforgettable helicopter tour deep into Nitmiluk National Park. You will explore all 13 majestic sandstone gorges sculpted by the Katherine River. As you soar over the mouth of the Gorge, you’ll follow its 17-kilometer expanse, marveling at breathtaking views of ancient sandstone cliffs and crystal-clear rock pools that showcase nature’s stunning artistry.

This afternoon you are free to enjoy Nitmiluk at your leisure: canoe the gorges, seek out your perfect swimming hole, or simply wander the park and take in your beautiful surroundings.

Discover spiritually significant waterfalls, ancient rainforest and unspoilt woodland in abundance at Litchfield National Park. Known for its cascading waters, natural spas and whirlpools, this is the ideal place for a refreshing swim.

Litchfield is also famous for its bizarre landscape of giant termite mounds. Standing up to two metres tall, they are astounding feats of architecture not to be missed.

Don't miss the Lost City, a dramatic gathering of 500 million-year-old rocky outcrops looking very much like a sandstone town.

Approximate Distance: 265 km | 164 miles   Total Driving Time: 3 hours

Accommodation: Litchfield National Park - 1 Night

Leaving other boats in their wake, they navigate up close to the sights and sounds of the Darwin city seascape. Guests are treated to stories of this area while the crew collects their dinner of deliciously fresh, locally caught wild fish with chips from award-winning catering partners.

Journey to the back of the harbour to a thriving landscape of trees in the sea, where birds find sanctuary at the end of the day, and where natures embrace has a backdrop of Darwin city reflecting twilight's mood. This is an area of Darwin that few tourists visit.

Approximate Distance: 100 km | 62 miles   Total Driving Time: 1 hour 15 mins

Accommodation: Batchelor - 1 Night

Return your rental vehicle to Darwin Airport and meet your onward flight.

We know you will enjoy your 8 Day Alice Springs to Darwin Self Drive Tour and take wonderful memories with you as you journey home. We hope you will return soon to discover even more highlights of this incredible continent.