A 14 Day Self Drive Tour

Distance: Darwin to Adelaide: 3,760 km | 45 hr

Uluru at sunset. Photo: theresalila via IG

This self drive campervan tour from Darwin to Adelaide begins and ends in a city, but what lies between is iconic Australian outback including Uluru, the Olgas, Devils Marbles, the underground town of Coober Pedy, Alice Springs, the MacDonnell Ranges, Mataranka hot springs, and the Litchfield and Nitmiluk National Parks.

If you are adding the Darwin to Adelaide road trip onto the Cairns to Darwin road trip, you will have covered some of the attractions already and will be able to make this journey in 9 days instead of 14 or 15.

All highlights, good caravan parks, free camping, rest areas and public toilets are mapped at the bottom of each article. If this itinerary is heading in the wrong direction for you, keep scrolling. 

14 Day Darwin to Adelaide Drive - Itinerary

Day 1: Darwin to Litchfield National Park - 116 km | 1 hr 20 m
Day 2: Nitmiluk National Park - Edith Falls - 230 km | 2 hr 35 m
Day 3: Nitmiluk National Park - Katherine Gorge - 90 km | 1 hr 20 m
Day 4: Katherine and Cutta Cutta Caves - 28 km | 30 m
Day 5: Mataranka Hot Springs - 108 km | 1 hr 10 m
Day 6: Tennant Creek and Devils Marbles - 568 km | 6.5 hr
Day 7 - 8: Alice Springs and the MacDonnell Ranges - 508 km | 5.5 hr
Day 9 - 10: Uluru and The Olgas - 495 km | 6 hr
Day 11 - 12: Coober Pedy - 755 km | 8.5 hr
Day 13: Port Augusta - 542 km | 5 hr 45 m
Day 14: Adelaide - 310 km | 3 hr 20 m

14 Day Adelaide to Darwin Drive - Itinerary

Day 1: Adelaide to Port Augusta - 310 km | 3 hr 20 m 
Day 2 & 3: Coober Pedy - 542 km | 5 hr 45 m 
Day 4 & 5: Uluru and The Olgas - 495 km | 6 hr 
Day 6 & 7: Alice Springs and the MacDonnell Ranges - 495 km | 6 hr 
Day 8: Tennant Creek and Devils Marbles - 508 km | 5.5 hr 
Day 9: Mataranka Hot Springs - 568 km | 6.5 hr 
Day 10: Katherine and Cutta Cutta Caves - 108 km | 1 hr 10 m 
Day 11: Nitmiluk National Park - Katherine Gorge - 28 km | 30 m 
Day 12: Nitmiluk National Park - Edith Falls - 90 km | 1 hr 20 m 
Day 13: Litchfield National Park  - 230 km | 2 hr 35 m 
Day 14: Darwin - 116 km | 1 hr 20 m 

Adelaide to Darwin Map

Description

Litchfield National Park 
116 km | 1 hr 20 m
Visit towering termite mounds and magnetic termite mounds, swim in Buleys Rockhole, Florence Falls, Wangli Falls and Tjaeteba Falls.

Nitmiluk National Park - Edith Falls 
230 km | 2 hr 35 m
Swim, hike and camp at beautiful Edith Falls. 

Katherine Springs

Nitmiluk National Park - Katherine Gorge 
90 km | 1 hr 20 m
Explore Katherine Gorge on one of the hikes or by canoe.

Katherine and Cutta Cutta Caves 
28 km | 30 m
Enjoy Katherine hot springs, Indigenous art, a cycad garden and limestone caves.

Kangaroo Sanctuary

Mataranka Hot Springs 
108 km | 1 hr 10 m
Soak your troubles away in Mataranka hot springs surrounded by wilderness and explore the national park on one of its hikes.

Tennant Creek and Devils Marbles 
568 km | 6.5 hr
Wander through the granite rock formation known as Devel's Marbles, and enjoy the Indigenous culture of Tennant Creek. Picnic among peacocks beside Lake Mary Anne, 

Alice Springs and the MacDonnell Ranges 
508 km | 5.5 hr
Hike among the magnificent cliffs and waterholes of MacDonnell Ranges, encounter the wildlife at Alice Springs Desert Park and the Olive Pink Botanic Gardens, cuddle a joey at the Kangaroo Sanctuary, trek on a camel or hot air balloon over the desert, visit the art galleries and many museums to learn about life int he Red Centre and climb Mount Gillen for views.

Uluru and The Olgas 
495 km | 6 hr
Hike around and amongst the stunning rock formations of Uluru and the Olgas, watch the star and  learn about local indigenous culture.

Coober Pedy 
755 km | 8.5 hr
Go opal mining and explore the underground city of Coober Pedy, including museums, mines and churches. Visit the Kangaroo sanctuary and pose in front of a random space ship. Visit Breakaways Conservation Park to enjoy desert beauty.

Breakaways Conservation Park

 Port Augusta 
542 km | 5 hr 45 m
Australian Arid Lands Botanic Gardens, water tower lookout, the Wadlata Outback Centre, military museum, art galleries, and a train park.

Adelaide 
310 km | 3 hr 20 m
The museums, art galleries, zoo and food of Adelaide will take 2 or 3 days to explore. The surrounding regions of Clare Valley, Barossa Valley, Adelaide Hills, Fleurieu Peninsula, Kangaroo Island, Coorong National Park and the Murray River will keep you going for weeks.

Road Trips From Darwin & Adelaide

• The Darwin to Broome Drive
  
• The Darwin to Cairns Drive
• Adelaide to Perth Drive
• Adelaide to Melbourne Drive - the Great Ocean Road
• Adelaide to Sydney Outback Drive
• Full List of Iconic Australian Road Trips