Explorer's Way: Uluru to Darwin
Drive from south to north across the Northern Territory, traveling from the Red Centre all the way to tropical Kakadu and Darwin.
Drive along the Stuart Highway to traverse the Northern Territory, watching the landscape and climate shift from desert monoliths to tropical wetlands. The stretches around Tennant Creek involve long driving distances with basic accommodation. The final leg replaces Litchfield with Kakadu; if you wish to visit both, add an extra day. One-way car rentals may incur a drop-off fee. This route is ideal for those with plenty of time who enjoy long road trips.
The dry season in the north coincides with the cool season in the Red Centre, making this the most comfortable time for the journey.
Day by day
Day 1 · Arrive in Yulara for Sunset
Uluru-Kata Tjuta（Uluru-Kata Tjuta Cultural Centre、Uluru Sunset Viewing Area）
Pick up your car at the airport and drive 10 minutes to Yulara, then drive another 20 km into the park for sunset.
Stay: Yulara Resort
Day 2 · Uluru Sunrise & Kata Tjuta
Uluru-Kata Tjuta（Talinguru Nyakunytjaku Sunrise Viewing Area、Uluru Base Walk、Walpa Gorge Walk、Kata Tjuta Dune Viewing Area）
Self-drive within the park; spend the morning at Uluru and head to Kata Tjuta (about 50 km away) in the afternoon.
The park pass is valid for 3 consecutive days; hike in the morning to avoid the afternoon heat.
Stay: Yulara Resort
Day 3 · Transfer to Kings Canyon
Uluru-Kata Tjuta（Mount Conner (Artilla)） → Kings Canyon (Watarrka)（Kings Canyon Sunset Viewing Area）
Drive east along the Lasseter Highway and turn onto Luritja Road, about 320 km (3.5 hours).
Stay: Kings Canyon Resort
Day 4 · Rim Walk & Return to Alice Springs
Kings Canyon (Watarrka)（Kings Canyon (Watarrka National Park)、Lost City (Kings Canyon)、Garden of Eden）
Hike in the early morning, then drive about 475 km on sealed roads to Alice Springs in the afternoon (about 5 hours).
Be sure to arrive before sunset, as the risk of wildlife on the road increases significantly at night.
Stay: Todd Mall city centre
Day 5 · West MacDonnell Ranges Gorges
Alice Springs（Simpsons Gap、Standley Chasm (Angkerle Atwatye)、Ellery Creek Big Hole、Ochre Pits、Ormiston Gorge）
Drive west along Namatjira Drive for about 130 km, stopping at sights along the way, and return to Alice Springs for the night.
Stay: Todd Mall city centre
Day 6 · Rest Day in Alice Springs
Alice Springs（Alice Springs Desert Park、Royal Flying Doctor Service Tourist Facility、Alice Springs Telegraph Station Historical Reserve、Todd Mall）
Short drives around town; attractions are within 15 minutes of each other. Use this time to restock and service your vehicle.
Check your tires and spare tire, and fill up on fuel before heading north.
Stay: Todd Mall city centre
Day 7 · North to Karlu Karlu (Devils Marbles) & Tennant Creek
Karlu Karlu / Devils Marbles
Drive about 510 km along the Stuart Highway (about 5.5 hours), arriving at the rock formations in the afternoon.
This is the longest driving day of the trip; fuel stops are far apart, so fill up whenever you see a station.
Stay: Tennant Creek
Day 8 · Tennant Creek to Daly Waters
Battery Hill, Tennant Creek → Daly Waters
Drive north along the Stuart Highway for about 400 km, taking about 4 hours.
Stay: Daly Waters
Day 9 · Mataranka Thermal Pools to Katherine
Katherine & Nitmiluk（Bitter Springs、Mataranka Thermal Pool）
Drive north about 167 km to Mataranka, then another 106 km to Katherine, taking about 3 hours in total.
Stay: Katherine town
Day 10 · Nitmiluk Gorge Cruise
Katherine & Nitmiluk（Baruwei Lookout、Katherine Gorge (Nitmiluk Gorge)、Katherine Hot Springs）
Katherine town to the gorge is about 30 minutes; enjoy cruises and hikes during the day, and return to town for the hot springs in the evening.
Stay: Katherine town
Day 11 · Enter Kakadu via Edith Falls
Katherine & Nitmiluk（Edith Falls (Leliyn)） → Kakadu National Park（Warradjan Aboriginal Cultural Centre、Yellow Water Billabong Cruise）
Drive along the Stuart Highway to Pine Creek, then turn onto the Kakadu Highway to Cooinda, taking about 3 hours.
Jim Jim Falls is closed for the entirety of 2026; check park advisories before setting off.
Stay: Cooinda
Day 12 · Nourlangie Rock & Ubirr Rock Art
Kakadu National Park（Burrungkuy (Nourlangie Rock)、Bowali Visitor Centre、Ubirr Rock Art）
Drive north from Cooinda for about 60 km to Jabiru, then another 40 km to Ubirr, totaling about 2 hours of driving for the day.
Stay: Jabiru
Day 13 · Arnhem Highway to Darwin
Kakadu National Park（Mamukala Wetlands） → Darwin（Adelaide River Jumping Crocodile Cruise、Mindil Beach Sunset Market）
Jabiru to Darwin is about 250 km (3 hours), with stops along the way for wetlands and cruises.
The Mindil Beach Sunset Market runs on Thursdays and Sundays during the dry season; if it is closed, head to the Esplanade instead.
Stay: Cullen Bay and Mindil Beach
Day 14 · Wrap Up in Darwin
Darwin（Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory、Darwin Military Museum、Darwin Waterfront Precinct）
Short drives around the city; attractions are about 10 minutes apart. The airport is about a 15-minute drive after returning your car.