THE ROUTE
The Explorers Way strikes a path straight through the heart of our country – taking travellers between Adelaide in South Australia, up through the Red Centre to Darwin in the Northern Territory.
One of the longest and most diverse road trips on offer globally, the Explorers Way will see you transition from coastal, to mountainous, to desert and tropical climates all in one epic journey.
The route pushes through what was the greatest barrier to early European travellers; the deserts and vast salt plains. For the Aboriginal people that have inhabited and prospered in this country for tens of thousands of years, this is a land which sustains them and shapes the oldest living culture in the world.
Travelling Time
We suggest taking at least 14 days and break up the journey so you can truly say you have experienced the diversity of Australia’s landscapes.
You could spend every day driving and complete this iconic road trip in under a week. However, the clue is in the name – this is a drive that requires some exploring.
The smartest way to travel is to afford yourself the most precious of commodities: time. Take the time to soak up the history, explore the landscapes and meet the remarkable people who have made their homes and livelihoods in these pristine, isolated, sometimes extreme environments.
Adelaide
Adelaide is easily accessed by air from all Australian capital cities and many international gateways.
Darwin
Darwin is serviced by flights from a range of domestic and international destinations.
Alice Springs
Shorter on time, why not fly into the heart of the Red Centre to begin your journey to either Darwin or Adelaide.
Explorers tips
If you’re sticking strictly to the main highway, you’ll have sealed roads the whole way from Adelaide to Darwin and petrol stations frequently enough to cover your average fuel tank range. However, if you want to explore some of the national parks, remarkable landmarks and infamous four-wheel-drive tracks, you’ll need to leave the bitumen behind. As such, we suggest choosing a car with 4x4 capability, packing enough fuel, water and food to cover you while you venture off the beaten track.
Internet access in regional Australia can be limited, so it’s important to be prepared with all the information you need for your trip before you depart, including having your itinerary and booking information available in an offline format.
