Uluru to Darwin Self Drive Itinerary

On arrival at Ayers Rock Resort, collect your car and drive the short distance to the dual World Heritage-listed Uluru – Kata Tjuta National Park.

Field of Light
As darkness falls and Uluru is thrown into silhouette, Field of Light illuminates. As far as the eye can see gentle rhythms of colour light up the desert.  The exhibition, aptly named Tili Wiru Tjuta Nyakutjaku or 'looking at lots of beautiful lights' is overwhelming in size, covering more than seven football fields. It invites immersion in its fantasy garden of 50,000 spindles of light, the stems breathing and swaying through a sympathetic desert spectrum of ochre, deep violet, blue and gentle white.

Accommodation: Uluru - 2 Nights

Rise early to experience a majestic Red Centre Kata Tjuta sunrise tour while sipping a warming cup of tea or coffee. 

After a tour of the base of Uluru, you may like to take either a self-guided walk around its 11km perimeter or a shorter guided walk to Mutitjulu Waterhole,  Your guide will explain the significance of the ancient Aboriginal rock paintings you’ll encounter and the culture of the traditional owners, the Anangu people.

This afternoon’s journey to the superb Kata Tjuta, a series of 36 magnificent domes of orange-hued sedimentary rock, where you can toast the magnificent sunset with a glass of sparkling wine.

Included Meals: Breakfast

Awe-inspiring Kings Canyon is your destination today. You have the option to stop for a lunch break at Kings Creek Station, the largest exporter of wild camels in Australia. 

Hear the intriguing story of owners Ian and Lynn Conway and their dedication to Aboriginal children in the region’s remote communities.

Continue to Kings Canyon, a spectacular natural formation whose sheer sandstone walls soar to a height of over 100 metres (328 ft). A 6km (3.7 miles) ‘rim walk’ around the canyon will reward you with marvelous views of Watarrka National Park. An easier walk along the canyon’s boulder-strewn creek bed is another option.

Included Meals: Dinner

Approximate Distance: 325 km | 202 miles   Total Driving Time: 3 hours 30 mins

Accommodation: Kings Canyon - 2 Nights

Experience the breathtaking scale of Kings Canyon from above on a scenic 30-minute helicopter flight, soaring over the ancient 440-million-year-old canyon and remote landscapes of the Red Centre. 

Glide across the George Gill Range to Petermann Pound, with possible sightings of camels and wild brumbies, before returning via Back Canyon. As evening falls, step into the magical Light Towers installation at Discovery Resorts, where 69 glowing towers by artist Bruce Munro illuminate the desert. Guided through this immersive display of light and sound, enjoy a truly unforgettable experience beneath the vast outback sky.

Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Located in the heart of Australia, Alice Springs is the gateway to the Red Centre’s most iconic landscapes. Framed by the rugged MacDonnell Ranges, it offers dramatic gorges, desert plains, and rich Indigenous art and culture. 

Despite its remote setting, the town is vibrant and unforgettable. As night falls, join a guided Desert Park experience, where small groups explore a predator-proof sanctuary by torchlight. Encounter rare nocturnal wildlife such as bilbies, mala, and echidnas, while learning about their behaviour and conservation, revealing the hidden rhythms of the desert in an immersive and memorable way.

Included Meals: Breakfast

Approximate Distance: 470 km | 292 miles   Total Driving Time: 4 hours

Accommodation: Alice Springs - 2 Nights

Experience the breathtaking beauty of Central Australia’s Red Centre on an unforgettable full-day journey through the magnificent West MacDonnell Ranges. 

Departing from Alice Springs, this immersive day tour explores spectacular natural and cultural landmarks including John Flynn’s Grave, Simpsons Gap, and the vibrant Ochre Pits. Enjoy a relaxed sit-down lunch at Ormiston Gorge, surrounded by towering red cliffs and a permanent waterhole, with free time to walk or simply take in the scenery. On the return journey, stop at Ellery Creek Big Hole, where guests can cool off in the warmer months. This immersive tour showcases the very best of the outback’s landscapes, stories, and spirit in one remarkable day.

Included Meals: Morning tea, Lunch

Before leaving Alice Springs this morning, visit the School of the Air to witness a classroom lesson broadcast over 1.3 million square kilometres to children living in remote locations. 

Then travel north, stopping to visit Karlu Karlu, an intriguing group of precariously-balanced granite boulders.

Later, settle into your accommodation at the former gold-mining town of Tennant Creek.

Approximate Distance: 470 km | 292 miles   Total Driving Time: 5 hours 15 mins

Accommodation: Tennant Creek - 1 Night

The Stuart Highway follows the route which was the Overland Telegraph line which was built from 1870 – 1872. 

The telegraph line was constructed between Adelaide and Darwin and connected with a submarine cable that connected with Java in Indonesia and was used until the late 1970s. This road is more than suitable for 2WDs.

Traveling north, visit the quirky Daly Waters Pub (located 273 km, 170 mi, 3:25 hrs southeast of Katherine) before continuing to Mataranka, where a swim in the warm, crystal-clear waters of the thermal springs is a must-do. Tonight is spent in Katherine.

Mataranka Thermal Pools are lushly vegetated natural hot springs located in the Elsey National Park near the town of Mataranka which is a 109km (68 mi) drive southeast from Katherine.

Approximate Distance: 705 km | 438 miles   Total Driving Time: 7 hours 30 mins

Accommodation: Katherine - 2 Nights

Begin your day exploring the remarkable Cutta Cutta Caves Nature Park, just south of Katherine, where ancient limestone formations reveal a hidden underground world. Discover rare bat species and vibrant birdlife while learning about the park’s unique ecological and cultural significance. 

As evening approaches, transition to the breathtaking Nitmiluk Gorge for a scenic cruise through towering cliffs and tranquil waters. At sunset, enjoy a candlelit three-course dinner featuring fresh local produce, accompanied by sparkling wine. With stories of Jawoyn culture, starlit skies, and serene surroundings, this unforgettable experience perfectly blends nature, culture, and indulgence.

Included Meals: Dinner

This morning drive to the World Heritage Listed Kakadu National Park.

Kakadu National Park is a great mix of culture and natural beauty. Here you can learn about Aboriginal culture from the traditional owners and view Aboriginal rock art up to 20,000 years old. Around a third of Australia's bird species are located in the National Park, and migratory birds flock to the wetlands in their millions.

Recommended: Warradjan Aboriginal Cultural Centre
Just 1km from your Kakadu accommodation, the Warradjan Aboriginal Cultural Centre is well worth a visit. Named after Warradjan, the Pig-Nosed Turtle, the Centre offers a remarkable insight into the Aboriginal who have lived in Kakadu for thousands of years.

Approximate Distance: 335 km | 208 miles   Total Driving Time: 3 hours 45 mins

Accommodation: Jabiru - 2 Nights

Visit fascinating Ubirr with its superb Aboriginal rock art dating back over 20,000 years and considered to be among the best in the world. 

Traditionally, people would camp under the cool, rocky shelters of Ubirr, relying on the plants and animals from the nearby floodplain and East Alligator River for their food, tools, and medicine. The smooth stone surfaces provided an ideal canvas for their paintings. Marvel at the intricate layers of paintings and then, climb to the top of the rocky outcrop for majestic views over the floodplains and escarpment country.

Journey to Litchfield National Park, stopping to marvel at the fascinating magnetic termite mounds before continuing to Florence Falls, where a refreshing swim awaits beneath cascading twin waterfalls. Continue to Wangi Falls, another stunning natural pool perfect for a relaxing dip, before returning to Darwin. 

This evening, step aboard the Charles Darwin for a memorable sunset harbour cruise. Enjoy a Territory-style buffet dinner featuring fresh local produce as golden skies reflect across the water. With iconic views, relaxed ambiance, and optional beverages, this experience offers the perfect farewell to the Top End.

Included Meals: Dinner

Approximate Distance: 410 km | 255 miles   Total Driving Time: 4 hours 30 mins

Accommodation: Darwin - 1 Night

Say farewell to Darwin today as you board your onward flight, taking with you the magical memories of a truly exceptional Australian experience. 

We know you will enjoy your 13 Day Uluru to Darwin Self Drive vacation and we hope you will return soon to discover even more highlights of this incredible continent.