Ready to tackle one of Australia’s most epic outback road trips? This 14-day Adelaide to Darwin adventure through the Red Centre is the ultimate campervan experience. From ancient mountain ranges and underground towns to sacred sites, desert sunsets and wild waterfalls. This trip will blow your dusty socks off!
Grab your Wicked Camper, fire up the playlist and get ready for a ride through the heart of the outback.
Adelaide to Darwin Road Trip Overview
- Start: Adelaide, South Australia
- Finish: Darwin, Northern Territory
- Duration: 14 Days
- Best for: Backpackers, couples or adventure seekers
- Recommended vehicle: 4WD or 2WD accessible
- Total distance: Approx. 3,600 km
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Day 1: Adelaide to Flinders Ranges
Leave the city behind and head north into the rugged Flinders Ranges. This ancient landscape is packed with deep gorges, red cliffs and wild emus. Remember the Aussies actually lost a war against the Emus back in the day, so don’t go making them mad!
Top stops: Clare Valley, Alligator Gorge
Camp: Wilpena Pound Campground
Day 2: Explore Flinders Ranges
Spend the day hiking Bunyeroo and Brachina Gorges or cruising scenic tracks. Sunset views from Stokes Hill Lookout are next level.
Must do: Bunyeroo Scenic Drive for 4WD vehicles, wildlife spotting
Camp: Wilpena Pound
Day 3: Flinders Ranges to Coober Pedy
Drive back to Port Augusta and through remote desert highways to Coober Pedy, the underground opal capital of the world. It rocks!
Top stops: Kanku-The Breakaways, Dog Fence, underground churches
Camp: Underground motel or Stuart Range Caravan Park
Day 4: Coober Pedy to Erldunda
Cross into the Northern Territory and head for the famous Erldunda Roadhouse, the gateway to Uluru. Think red dirt views for days, an Emu farm and an ice cold beer after a long day of driving.
Photo ops: SA/NT border, big red desert landscapes
Camp: Erldunda Roadhouse
Day 5: Erldunda to Uluru
This is the big one! Drive into Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park. Explore the base walk, learn about Anangu culture and watch the giant rock change colours at sunset. It definitely beats Netflix and chill, trust us.
Must do: Uluru Base Walk, Cultural Centre
Camp: Ayers Rock Campground
Day 6: Explore Kata Tjuta
Visit the domes of Kata Tjuta (The Olgas) and hike the Valley of the Winds trail. These massive rock formations are even more dramatic than Uluru, with panoramic views and winding paths through ancient landscapes.
Pro tip: Book a Field of Light night experience
Camp: Ayers Rock Campground
Day 7: Uluru to Kings Canyon
Take the scenic drive to Kings Canyon in Watarrka National Park. The towering canyon walls and hidden palm-filled creeks make it one of the most jaw-dropping hikes in the Red Centre.
Must do: Kings Canyon Rim Walk (start early!)
Camp: Kings Canyon Resort or Campground
Day 8: Kings Canyon to Alice Springs
Cruise into Alice Springs, the heart of the Red Centre. Time to fill up the fuel tank, stock up on supplies and have a dirty Macca's if you're a nugget addict.
Explore: Todd Mall, local art galleries, Anzac Hill
Camp: Alice Springs Tourist Park
Day 9: West MacDonnell Ranges
Take a day trip to explore nearby natural wonders. Think red rock gorges, icy waterholes, and the kind of silence that makes you question your city life choices.
Top stops: Simpsons Gap, Standley Chasm, Ellery Creek Big Hole
Camp: Alice Springs or roadside rest area
Day 10: Alice Springs to Devils Marbles (400km)
Drive north to the mind-bending boulders of Karlu Karlu (Devils Marbles). They're weird, they're wobbly, and they're sacred. Like nature got drunk and stacked rocks just to mess with us.
Best time to visit: Sunset or sunrise for glowing red rocks
Camp: Devils Marbles campground
Day 11: Devils Marbles to Daly Waters Pub
Roll into one of Australia's quirkiest outback pubs, Daly Waters, for a cold beer and a killer pub feed. If the walls of this pub could talk... try to get some stories out of the locals before bedtime!
Vibe: Live music, bras on the ceiling, Aussie as
Camp: Behind the pub
Day 12: Daly Waters to Katherine
Cruise into Katherine and have a relaxing soak in the thermal springs or take a boat tour through Nitmiluk (Katherine) Gorge.
Must do: Katherine Hot Springs, Gorge sunset cruise
Camp: Shady Lane Tourist Park or Gorge Campground
Day 13: Katherine to Litchfield National Park
Skip the crowds at Kakadu and head straight to Litchfield National Park for waterfalls and wild swims. Even the termite mounds are spectacular in this National Park.
Top spots: Florence Falls, Wangi Falls, Buley Rockholes
Camp: Florence Falls Campground
Day 14: Litchfield to Darwin
End your epic trip in Darwin, the tropical capital of the Top End. Darwin's laid-back vibe, rich Indigenous culture, and balmy nights make it the perfect place to wind down after your Red Centre adventure.
Celebrate with: Sunset Market at Mindil Beach (Thursday-Sunday), Darwin Waterfront, fresh seafood
Optional detour: Berry Springs or Crocosaurus Cove
Got an Extra Day or Two? Detour to Kakadu National Park
If you've got time to spare (and a thirst for even more wilderness), take a detour to Kakadu National Park, one of Australia's most iconic and culturally rich landscapes.
Just a few hours east of Darwin, Kakadu delivers the goods:
- Ancient rock art at Ubirr and Nourlangie
- Waterfalls like Jim Jim and Twin Falls (4WD access only)
- Croc-spotting cruises on Yellow Water Billabong
- Jaw-dropping wetland sunsets
Kakadu's vastness is next level, you'll need at least two days to scratch the surface. Entry fees apply, but the experience is priceless. Just make sure you've got a park pass, bug spray, and plenty of water, this isn't your average national park.
Essential Road Trip Tips
- Fuel up when you can: Remote roadhouses can be far apart
- Respect Indigenous lands: Especially around Uluru and sacred sites
- Carry extra water and food: Especially in the Red Centre
- Download offline maps: Mobile service is patchy
- Camp legally: Use Wikicamps or ask locals for free camping tips
Why Do the Adelaide to Darwin Road Trip?
This is Australia's most iconic desert drive, delivering non-stop adventure, otherworldly scenery, Indigenous culture, and total freedom. Whether you're road-tripping solo, with mates, or your ride-or-die, doing it in a Wicked Camper guarantees one hell of a ride.