Two Week Darwin to Uluru Road Trip Itinerary

Darwin

Darwin is nearer to Singapore than it is to Sydney, which gives you an idea of the sheer size of Australia. This multicultural, fast-developing city has a chilled-out feel and a beautiful climate.

Between cyclones and bombing by the Japanese in World War Two, Darwin has been rebuilt several times in its history. While the architecture is modern and stylish, it's still very much a "frontier town" with a small-town feel.

Accommodation: Darwin - 3 Nights

Not visited by winter and with a relaxed, small-town feel, Darwin is the tropical capital of the Northern Territory that's perched on a harbour fives times the size of Sydney's. Darwin is famous for its multicultural food, outdoor markets, waterside attractions and a warm holiday vibe year-round. Aboriginal art that fills the city's galleries and museums. The city's proximity to Asia means you'll also find strong Asian influences, especially in the energetic food scene and night markets. With everything from crocodile encounters to open-air movies and sunset cruises, Darwin is as easygoing as it is exciting.

Litchfield National Park

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: 111 km | 69 miles   Total Driving Time: 2 hours (each way)

Kakadu National Park is renowned for the richness of its Aboriginal cultural sites. It covers an area of 19,804 square kilometres which is the size of Israel or nearly half the size of Switzerland! Aboriginal people have occupied the Kakadu area continuously for at least 40 000 years.

There are more than 5000 cave paintings and rock carvings illustrating Aboriginal culture over thousands of years. Kakadu is a magnificent area with many different landforms and habitats. There are over 60 species of mammals and a great many reptiles including goannas, frill-necked lizards and the frightening saltwater crocodile. The Park also supports more than 280 species of birds what is about one-third of Australia's bird species.

Approximate Distance: 305 km | 190 miles   Total Driving Time: 3 hours 15 mins

Accommodation: Kakadu - 2 Nights 

Yellow Water Billabong is Kakadu's most famous wetland and is located at the end of Jim Jim Creek, a tributary of the South Alligator River. The river system is the largest in Kakadu and contains extensive wetlands that include river channels, floodplains and backwater swamps. About one third of Australia's bird species are represented in Kakadu National Park, with at least 60 species found in the wetlands. Whistling Ducks and Magpie Geese are the most abundant. There are plenty of crocodiles in their natural habitat, and buffalo on the floodplains, as well as a huge Jabiru's nest nearby.

Outstanding Rock Formations at Burrungkuy

Take a self guided walk at the walls of the Burrungkuy (Nourlangie) rock art site, in World Heritage-listed Kakadu National Park, which have served as a shelter and canvas for thousands of years.

The paintings are a window to a rich spiritual tradition and can be reached by the circular 1.5 kilometre Burrungkuy (Nourlangie) rock art walk.

Katherine is the third-largest town in the Northern Territory, located three hours' drive south of Darwin on the banks of the Katherine River. A Katherine holiday combines some of the Territory's best nature and culture experiences with pioneering history and heritage. Explorer John McDouall Stuart visited the region in 1862 and named Katherine after the daughter of one of his expedition sponsors.

Once established, the town became a popular base for pioneers whose legacy continues to live on at the many historic sites. Katherine is the perfect base for exploring the Gulf region, the southern part of Kakadu National Park and the Victoria River region - places where you can immerse yourself in nature.

Approximate Distance: 260 km | 162 miles   Total Driving Time: 2 hours 45 mins

Accommodation: Katherine - 2 Nights 

Relax as you cruise the waters of the Nitmiluk Gorge and travel back to Australia's dreamtime. Your expert tour guides go into depth about the history and function of the eight to ten-thousand-year-old Indigenous rock art you will see on this journey.

Once you get to the third gorge, you will have an opportunity to swim at the Lillypond seasonal waterfalls or at the shallow rock pools. Depending on what time of the year you visit you may be able to swim in the many rock pools in gorges 1 and 2.

Visit Edith Falls at your leisure this afternoon.

On the road again and down the highway towards Mataranka, which is well-known for its thermal pools. Dont forget to stop in at the iconic pub at Daly Waters as you head for Tennant Creek. Continue on to Tennant Creek, which has an interesting mining history all on display at the Battery Hill Mining Centre. 

The Old Telegraph Station is worth a visit, just to wander around and read the informative signs of how life was at this isolated location. The buildings are surprisingly cool inside with the outside temperature sitting at about 38-40 degrees Celsius.

Approximate Distance: 675 km | 419 miles   Total Driving Time: 7 hours 15 mins

Accommodation: Tennant Creek - 1 Night 

The road trip from Tennant Creek to Alice Springs on the Stuart Highway consists of a drive of 508km, 316 mi, 6:19 hrs through the sparsely populated Australian outback in the Red Centre. The Karlu Karlu (Devils Marbles) Conservation Reserve is located 1:11 hr drive south of Tennant Creek.  Karlu Karlu Conservation Reserve can be easily accessed via a short sealed road diversion off the Stuart Highway. The remaining road trip from the Devils Marbles to Alice Springs is very sparse, but you will eventually 5 hours later arrive in Alice Springs. Alice Springs was originally founded as part of the Overland Telegraph which was constructed in 1870 – 1872.  The Alice Springs Telegraph Station was established beside a water source which was named Alice Springs. 

Approximate Distance: 510 km | 317 miles   Total Driving Time: 5 hours 15 mins

Accommodation: Alice Springs - 1 Night

The East and West MacDonnell Ranges stretch out for hundreds of kilometres on both sides of Alice Springs. The traditional owners of the Alice Springs area, the Arrernte people who believe giant caterpillars called the Yeperenye became the Ranges - they entered this world through one of the dramatic gaps in the escarpments of the area. Simpsons Gap sports a permanent pool and rock wallabies live in the gap's rocky ridges. Standley Chasm lights up in fiery colours reflected by the overhead sun at midday. Picturesque swimming holes such as Ellery Creek Big Hole, Ormiston Gorge, Glen Helen Gorge and Redbank Gorge offer refreshing relief on a scorching day.

Approximate Distance: 335 km | 208 miles   Total Driving Time: 3 hours 45 minutes

Accommodation: Kings Canyon - 2 nights

Some options for today include taking a six-kilometre rim walk past the domed ‘Lost City’ and the luscious ‘Garden of Eden’. If you’d prefer a more relaxed walk you can opt to set off on a two-kilometre stroll along the boulder strewn canyon creek bed that leads to impressive views of the canyon rim. Immerse yourself in Indigenous culture on a visit to the Wanmarra Aboriginal Community and learn about the Luritja and Pertame people’s spiritual connection to the land. 

Today it will take 3 hours via Lasseter Highway and the Luritja Road to reach Yulara, the town closest to Uluru (Ayers Rock).

This evening come and see the 50,000 glass spheres of Bruce Munro's amazing Field of Light installation.

The Magical "Field of Light"

As darkness falls and Uluru is thrown into silhouette, Field of Light illuminates. As far as the eye can see gentle rhythms of colour light up the desert.

Approximate Distance: 325 km | 202 miles   Total Driving Time: 3 hours 30 mins

Accommodation: Yulara - 2 nights

Experience the tranquillity of the pre-dawn land under a canopy of stars. Watch the amazing transformation of colours and life as the desert awakens with Uluru and Kata Tjuta as your backdrop. Watch the distant domes of Kata Tjuta come into view and enjoy a traditional Aussie breakfast. Once the sun is up, enjoy a guided tour at the base of Uluru. First stop is Kuniya where you'll take a short walk to the Mutitjulu waterhole.

This evening your journey begins on a lone sand dune. Here you enjoy sparkling wine and a selection of delectable canapés. Dining under the sparkling outback sky as the sun sets, you feast on a BBQ buffet of authentic Australian delicacies complemented by some of Australia's quality wines. Stargazing Attention then turns to some of the world's best stargazing. In winter, guests gather around a campfire to savour a special treat of hot mulled wine.

Today we say farewell. There maybe time for some last minute excursions or shopping before you head home. We know you will enjoy your holiday and our promise to you is to make your travels through Australia as hassle-free and hospitable as possible - ensuring that today you leave with a camera full of photos, and huge smiles on your faces when recalling your holiday!