A 4WD Road Trip Adventure: Adelaide to Darwin

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Travel Type: 4WD
Features: 4WD, road trip, off-road
Budget: $$ - $$$

HERE’S THE PLAN

Embark on an epic 3000km road trip along the Explorers Way, following our itinerary with off-road 4WD adventures on Australia's most spectacular driving route.

Please note – driving times are included but when four-wheel driving, trips often take longer than map estimates.

ADELAIDE TO CLARE VALLEY

Driving time - 2 hours (141km)
Embark on a once-in-a-lifetime 4WD adventure through the heart of Australia’s outback. Start your epic journey by stocking up at the iconic Central Market before heading out through the wide-open plains of the mid-north to the Clare Valley. Once arriving in Clare, indulge in the region’s world-famous wines by cycling the picturesque Riesling Trail. Whether you bring your own bike or hire one, the relatively flat and easy 33-kilometre route can be tackled in a day or savoured over two. Prefer a more leisurely pace? Take a scenic drive instead, pausing to uncover the area's rich history and sample your way through over 30 wineries.

Expert tip: Clare is your last chance to stock up on food, tools, and any supplies you’ll need before heading into the rugged beauty of the Australian Outback. Adventure starts here—are you ready?

CLARE VALLEY TO IKARA-FLINDERS RANGES

Driving time - 3.5 hours (297km)
Journey through the charming country towns of Melrose and Quorn, where the rugged charm of South Australia begins to unfold, towards the natural wonder of Wilpena Pound – a colossal natural amphitheatre nestled in the heart of Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park. Shaped over millions of years, this awe-inspiring landmark holds deep cultural significance for the Adnyamathanha people, who call it Ikara, meaning “meeting place.” Before you go, be sure to secure a National Park permit, so you’re ready to explore this mars-like landscape. Stretch your legs and take on the challenging of hiking to the summit of St Mary Peak, the tallest point in the Flinders at 1,189 meters, and soak in panoramic views that will leave you speechless. Keep your eyes peeled for a few local residents such as kangaroos, emus and wedge-tailed eagles. As night falls, pitch your tent and camp under the night sky at Wilpena Pound Resort or Rawnsley Park, with convenient access to 4WD drive tracks in the area.

Expert tip: Plan your visit during spring for the vibrant colours of wildflower season – look out for the purple common fringe lily, Lavender grevillea and the bright yellow Guinea flower.

EXPLORE THE FLINDERS RANGES

Option 1: OFF GRID via Parachilna to William Creek. Driving time – 4 hours (374km from Woomera) or 2 hours (166km from William Creek)

Option 2: SEALED HIGHWAY via Parachilna to Woomera. Driving time – 4 hours (375km)

Continue your journey through the central Flinders Ranges to Blinman, a historic copper mining town steeped in old-world charm. From there, venture to Wadna, a place where the rich culture and traditions of the Adnyamathanha people come to life. Discover hand-carved artifacts, intricate artwork, and beautifully crafted jewellery, each piece telling a story of connection to the land and its history spanning tens of thousands of years. Nearby, Chambers Gorge offers peaceful walking trails revealing Aboriginal petroglyphs—traditional rock engravings that unveil the areas ancient history. From here, the rugged, unsealed tracks branching off Flinders Way Road call out to 4WD enthusiasts to explore. Rise early to catch the sunrise over the rugged Bunyeroo Valley, where spectacular views transform the landscape into a breathtaking scene. Your journey continues three hours to Akraroola Wilderness Sanctuary – also known as Australia's second Dark Sky Sanctuary. Camping and lodge accommodation options provide the perfect base for 4WD adventures and stargazing. Bring binoculars or a telescope to explore one of the country's darkest and most pristine night skies.Say goodbye to the Flinders Ranges and watch the mountain ranges disappear on the horizon and the dirt slowly change to red. Once you get to Maree, check in for the night, grab a drink and have a yarn with the locals for a true outback pub experience at Marree Hotel. While you’re here, splurge on a scenic flight to experience the wonders of nearby Lake Eyre from above and to spot the historical Marree Man – book early to secure a sunset flight. It’s from here you start your adventure along the Oodnadatta Track - one of Australia’s most iconic and well known 4WD touring tracks. Take your time and soak up some iconic Australian outback landscapes such as Lake Eyre South, Coward Springs and William Creek.

COOBER PEDY TO ULURU-KATA TJUTA NATIONAL PARK

Once you’ve crossed the border into the Northern Territory, you are officially in the Red Centre where you find the spectacle and culturally significant World Heritage-listed Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park.
Stay at luxury lodge Longitude 131 to ensure you have incredible views and time to explore Uluru and Kata Tjuta – both thought to be 600 million years old. Take advantage of private touring so you can soak up the landscape and culture of the Anangu people, and dine under the stars at Table 131 with a decadent four-course dinner with matched wines. You can also find five-star accommodation at Ayers Rock Resort Sails in the Desert which boasts extensive dining options, including an unforgettable open-air experience at Tali Wiru, an exclusive al fresco dining experience atop a sand dune with views of Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park. After dinner, hear stories about the stars and learn about the tools First Nations people used to forage, carry, and cool ingredients they found in the desert.From the resort, explore the base of Uluru on a guided tour with a Traditional Owner to understand the history and cultural significance of this incredible sacred site. Add an extra night’s stay so you don’t miss the Wintjiri Wiru Sunset Dinner. Indulge in canapes and drinks while listening to the Mala story – told through a show of lasers, drones and narration, paired with a gourmet dining hamper.
Expert tip: Once you’ve experienced a walk around Uluru and through the Kata Tjuta, get an aerial perspective with a helicopter ride to see just how impressive these landmarks are.

DARWIN

Continue the Explorers Way to Kings Canyon and Watarrka National Park by car, or elevate your journey with a private heli-charter offering breathtaking aerial views. Upon arrival, explore the dramatic 300m high sandstone walls, hidden palms, and expansive landscapes on foot, or opt for a unique perspective on a camel tour.You will find luxurious glamping accommodation at Kings Creek Station. The Drovers Dream offers individual tents with ensuites, private decking, and personal barbeques, allowing you to absorb the stunning views of the George Gill Ranges. For those seeking a more elevated experience, the Dreamtime Escarpment provides self-cook bush barbecue dinners, breakfast hampers, and a fully stocked drinks fridge, complemented by a nearby pool.Alternatively, Discovery Kings Canyon Resort offers deluxe rooms for travellers preferring traditional hotel comfort. The ultimate highlight awaits with the Under a Desert Moon dining experience—an evening of Indigenous-inspired cuisine, carefully paired wines, and storytelling around the campfire beneath the Southern Hemisphere's starlit sky.

Expert tip: To learn more about this sacred Indigenous site, book a guided walk to discover the stories of Priscilla's Crack, Cottrell Lookout, the Garden of Eden and the Lost City.

KINGS CANYON TO ALICE SPRINGS

If you have a 4WD, follow the Mereenie Loop, otherwise take the sealed roads to Alice Springs. Once there, explore stretches of the 161km Tjoritja (West MacDonnell Ranges) home of the Arrernte people with a VIP tour. Stop to lounge in the grassy shade of the desert oasis of Ellery Creek Big Hole and appreciate the magnitude of Standley Chasm. Alternatively, take in the ranges all at once by embarking on a sunrise hot air balloon ride with Outback Ballooning. Stay at the Crowne Plaza Alice Springs. The beautifully appointed Premium Rooms here offer stunning views of the MacDonnell Ranges. For dinner, feast on Indian, Malay and Thai inspired dishes at the famed Hanuman restaurant in Alice Springs - conveniently located inside the DoubleTree by Hilton.

Expert Tip: Visit in the early, dry, and wet season to see the landscape come alive with vibrant wildflowers, from the golden billy buttons to the striking crimson of the Sturt Desert Pea.

DARWIN

Flight time: 2 hours. Fly direct with Qantas.
Flight time: 3 hours to Katherine (one stop in Tennant Creek) with Air North.

Skip the drive to Darwin and instead take a flight straight from Alice Springs. Alternatively, continue your road trip or fly to Katherine to experience the majestic Nitmiluk Gorge via helicopter or private boat tour. Stay nearby at the boutique Cicada Lodge and enjoy the peaceful surrounds in style. The next morning, detour 40 minutes out of town for a dip in the deep pools of Leliyn (Edith Falls), before continuing along the highway to Finniss River Lodge. At this family-owned and operated Outback cattle station, drink cocktails with the family’s Brahman cattle, bird watch or take a airboat along the Finniss River floodplain for crocodile and wildlife spotting. Keen fishermen can book a private charter for the chance to catch a famous Territory barramundi.