One of the ultimate driving adventures in Australia
Heading into the Outback and exploring the country’s untamed heart? One of the best routes to take is the 2,000 km drive from Darwin to Uluru, so you can experience the Outback’s most iconic landmarks and breathtaking landscapes, and make unforgettable memories along the way. Our Darwin to Uluru road trip itinerary ensures you’ll get to see Australia’s “Red Centre”, the spiritual heartland of Australia, in all its glory. We recommend spending at least two weeks on the road to get the most out of the trip, but it depends on your schedule, budget, and how much driving you want to do each day.
A road trip from Darwin to Uluru is the perfect activity for the winter weather, and beginning your ultimate driving adventure in Darwin is highly recommended, although if you’re thinking of doing the trip in reverse, we have a guide on starting in Alice Springs. You can rent a car from either our Darwin Airport or Darwin City car hire locations, and after exploring the city centre, make your way to all the major stops en route, including national parks like Litchfield, Kakadu and Nitmiluk and Katherine Gorge, before travelling through Mataranka, Daly Waters, and Tennant Creek. So, why not hire one of our air-conditioned 4WD vehicles and embark on a memorable trip exploring Australia’s Northern Territory?
Darwin to Uluru Road Trip Itinerary
View the interactive map as you drive from Darwin to Uluru.
Day 1-2: Darwin to Litchfield National Park
Distance: 106 km from Darwin CBD to Litchfield Park entrance
Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
Once you’ve had your taste of the best things to see in Darwin, drive out and visit the diverse landscapes and Aboriginal communities of Kakadu National Park and Arnhem Land before setting out on the road south.
The first stop on the drive from Darwin to Uluru is Litchfield National Park. Enjoy a refreshing swim at Florence Falls or Buley Rockholes – though make sure you keep an eye out for signs that tell you where you can and can’t swim to avoid a close croc encounter. En route, you can play eye spy to be the first to spot the Magnetic Termite Mounds – a perfect photo opportunity for you and your passengers.
Day 3-4: Litchfield National Park to Kakadu National Park
Distance: 194km
Time: 2 hours
Stop two on your drive from Darwin to Uluru should be Kakadu, Australia’s largest national park. Kakadu National Park is known for its wildlife, and a visit to the area would be incomplete without a boat trip or sunset cruise to spot crocs and birdlife in the wetlands. The boat tours in Kakadu are usually run by an indigenous guide who can show you the diverse wildlife in the area. You can learn more about the region’s flora, fauna and Aboriginal culture at Bowali Visitor Centre, or take in centuries-old Aboriginal art at Ubirr Rock and admire views across the floodplains. Consider a pit stop at Jim Jim and Twin Falls to view stunning waterfalls, the former only accessible with a 4WD.
Where to stay: If you’re not braving the camping, Kakadu National Park has a range of campsites, lodges and hotels on-site or nearby to suit everyone’s needs.
Day 5-6: Kakadu National Park to Nitmiluk
Distance: 180km
Time: 2 hours
Bordering the southern edge of Kakadu National Park is Nitmiluk National Park. There are two main sections to the park. To the north, you can cool off from the heat at Edith Falls (Leliyn), hiking up to the upper pools for a swim with a view. To the south, you’ll find Nitmiluk (Katherine) Gorge, Nitmiluk. This sandstone gorge system goes around the Katherine River and is perfectly explored by walking, swimming, canoeing, biking or cruising. The different areas of the park are 90 km apart, so it’s worth spending a day or two in the Nitmiluk area to make the most of it.
Where to stay: Camp in Nitmiluk National Park or opt for accommodation in Katherine.
Day 7-8: Katherine to Tennant Creek
Distance: 675km
Time: 7 hours in total
When travelling between Katherine and Tennant Creek, there are several hotspots to tick off and enjoy. First up, visit Mataranka, 100 km from Katherine to soothe your aching muscles in the thermal pools of Elsey National Park.
After Mataranka, there’s Daly Waters. Daly Waters is around 170 km from Mataranka, and will take you about 1 hour 45 minutes to drive. You can stop off at the iconic and historic Daly Waters Pub for refreshments en route. For other Outback station getaways, check out our guide.
Continue to Tennant Creek, where you can explore the region’s gold mining history, explore rock formations and learn more about Aboriginal culture.
Where to stay: Stay the night at the Daly Waters Pub before continuing to Tennant Creek. If you’re driving all the way in one day, Tennant Creek has several local motels and campgrounds to choose from.
Day 9-10: Tennant Creek to Alice Springs
Distance: 510 km
Time: 5 hours
On your way to Alice Springs, check out the Devil’s Marbles (Karlu Karlu), a fascinating collection of massive granite boulders, or go fossicking and hunt for gems and minerals in the earth. After an exciting day of exploring, spend the night stargazing tiny Wycliffe Well, the ‘UFO capital of Australia’. Who knows, maybe you too will see more than mere stars.
Where to stay: There are plenty of accommodation options in Alice Springs, from campsites to hotels.
Day 11-12: Explore Alice Springs
Alice Springs, or Alice as the locals call it, is almost smack-bang in the middle of Australia – in the region known as the “Red Centre”. There is plenty to see and do here, from visiting the town’s many museums to exploring the MacDonnell Ranges, the Alice Springs Desert Park, the Telegraph Historical Reserve and Simpsons Gap.
Day 13: Alice Springs to Kings Canyon
Distance: 330 km
Time: 3 hours 30 minutes
From Alice, it’s about 500 km to Watarrka National Park and the spectacular Kings Canyon. The canyon features towering sandstone walls and lush palm forests. If you want to stretch your legs after all that driving, the 6 km Kings Canyon Rim Walk offers an unrivalled view of the Outback. Want to plan other hikes along your road trip? Read our list of underrated bushwalks.
Where to stay: There are camping and cabin accommodations available in Kings Canyon.
Day 14: Kings Canyon to Uluru
Distance: 324 km
Time: 3 hours 30 minutes
The final stretch of driving is in sight, and you’re only 300 km or so to the most iconic symbol of the Australian Outback: Uluru, also known as Ayers Rock. Now that you have reached the final destination on your Darwin to Uluru road trip, it’s time to explore what to do in the spiritual heart of the Outback. Besides the obvious, here are our top things to do in Uluru:
Visit the Field of Light. This magnificent installation of around 50,000 solar-powered lights is a magical experience created by artist Bruce Munro. In the local language, the installation is called Tili Wiru Tjuta Nyakutjaku or ‘looking at lots of beautiful lights’. It’s a must-see in the pre-dawn light or at sunset.
Head to Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park and spend a couple of days exploring the area. Watch the sunrise and sunset over Uluru, explore the base walk, and visit the nearby Kata Tjuta (The Olgas) for more incredible hiking and views.
Go on a bush food experience. This free tour is all about experiencing the local native foods. Taste the plants, seeds, fruits and spices that the Indigenous tribes prepared and for what purposes.
Walk the paths of the Aboriginal ancestors on one of six walks around Uluru. Most are wheelchair accessible and can be completed in a few hours.
SIXT’S Tips for the Trip
1. Plan Fuel Stops: There can be huge distances between service stations on the drive from Darwin to Uluru, so you must plan to avoid any trouble.
2. Get Your Park Pass in Advance: Many national parks in the Northern Territory require a parks pass, including Nitmiluk National Park. Do your research ahead of time to avoid disappointment.
3. Respect Indigenous Lands: You’re passing through the spiritual heartland of Australia, so be mindful and take care of local Aboriginal culture and sites.
4. Consider a Winter Road Trip: May to September is the best time to visit Uluru when the weather is a little bit cooler.
5. Stock Up on Supplies: While the Stuart Highway is a sealed highway, you’ll be driving through some very remote areas, so pack some extra food, water, and any essentials, to be safe.
6. Watch the Weather: No matter the time of year you make your road trip from Darwin to Uluru, you can experience extreme weather conditions not limited to heat.
7. Consider Communication: Much of the Outback lacks mobile coverage, so you should consider bringing a satellite phone in case of emergencies.
8. Keep Passengers Occupied: Download podcasts, and audiobooks or consider fun road trip games to while away the long hours spent in the car.
9. Choose the Right Vehicle: You might be wondering, do you need a 4WD to drive from Darwin to Uluru? While much of the drive can be done in a car or camper, to get the most out of the trip, a 4WD is the best choice.
Here at SIXT car rental, we truly believe everyone should experience the drive from Darwin to Uluru. So, why not take off to explore the heart of the Outback with our Darwin to Uluru road trip itinerary? As you’ll be covering huge distances, be sure to check out our specials for the most economical way to make this unforgettable trip happen. For more information, please get in touch with the team at Darwin City or Darwin Airport to get the wheels rolling.
