Alice Springs to Adelaide 12 days on sealed roads in a 2wd campervan or RV motorhome rental
a suggested motorhome itinerary from Alice Springs to Adelaide that includes stops at the Western MacDonnell Ranges, Uluru, Kings Canyon, Kata Tjuta, Coober Pedy, Quorn, Barossa Valley, and Adelaide, while backtracking from the Western MacDonnell Ranges to Uluru:
Day 1: Alice Springs to Western MacDonnell Ranges
(about 128 km, approximately 2.5 hours)
Drive from Alice Springs to the Western MacDonnell Ranges, a series of stunning mountain ranges and gorges.
Allow extra time for attractions eg Standley Chasm I spent 3 hours there
Stop at attractions such as Simpsons Gap, Standley Chasm, Ellery Creek Big Hole,. Stay the night must book ahead at Glen Helen Homestead camp ground.
Day 2: Western MacDonnell Ranges to Glen Helen
Stay explore Ormiston Gorge and/or Glen Helen time permitting.
Explorer to Glen Helen, a picturesque gorge with stunning rock formations and hiking trails.
Day 3: Glen Helen to Alice Springs
Travel back to Alice Springs (about 128 km, approximately 2 hours)
Visit the Alice Springs Desert Park
Day 4 Alice Springs to Uluru
Alice Springs to Uluru is just 450km/5.5 hours on fully-sealed roads.
Allow 6 hours
Uluru, the iconic red rock formation in the heart of the Australian outback. Take your time exploring the area, including watching the sunset over Uluru and enjoying the Field of Light art installation.
Day 5: Uluru to Kata Tjuta
(about 50 km, approximately 1 hour)
Drive from Uluru to Kata Tjuta (also known as the Olgas), a group of ancient rock formations that are sacred to the Anangu people. Take a guided tour or hike the Valley of the Winds trail for breathtaking views.
Day 6: Kata Tjuta to Kings Canyon
3 hr 34 min (349.9 km) allow 5 hours via State Route 4 and Luritja Rd/State Route 3
The Kings Canyon Rim Walk is a 6-kilometer circuit that takes you around the edge of the canyon, offering stunning views of the canyon floor and surrounding landscape. The Kings Canyon Creek Bed Walk, also known as the Canyon Walk, is an easier 2-kilometer walk that takes you down into the canyon and past the towering rock formations known as the Lost City.
Day 7: Kings Canyon to Curtin Springs
2 hr 14 min allow 3.5 hours (217.3 km) via Luritja Rd/State Route 3
https://www.curtinsprings.com/wayside-inn/accommodation/campground/
Powered sites in Central Australia are usually in very high demand and should be booked in advance.
Offering a mosiac of experiences for visitors to Central Australia, Curtin Springs has:
Curtain Springs Station
– the basis of our home is a million acre cattle station.
Curtain Springs Station Wayside Inn
– providing 27 accommodation rooms, campground, fuel, store and great homestyle meals for visitors when they are exploring the region.
Curtain Springs Paper
– we showcase our amazing landscape by making handmade paper from the native grasses on the station.
Curtain Springs Walks
– step gently into our landscape with our private guided walks.
Day 8: Curtin Springs to Coober Pedy
6 hr 25 min (648.0 km) via Stuart Hwy allow 8 hours
Curtin Springs to Coober Pedy (755 km, approximately 8 hours)
Start your journey from Curtin Springs and head north on the Lasseter Highway, then turn right onto the Stuart Highway. Follow the Stuart Highway all the way to Coober Pedy, a quirky outback town known for its opal mines and underground homes. Take a tour of an opal mine or visit one of the many underground attractions.
Along the way, you can make a stop at the following attractions:
Marla: A small town located at the intersection of the Stuart Highway and the Lasseter Highway. It has a fuel station, a convenience store, and a roadhouse where you can grab a bite to eat.
Cadney Homestead: A roadhouse with a restaurant and accommodations, located about 200 km north of Coober Pedy.
Woomera: A former military testing site that is now a museum and tourist attraction. It has exhibits on the history of rocket testing and other military activities in the area.
Breakaways Conservation Park: A scenic reserve located about 30 km north of Coober Pedy, known for its striking sandstone formations and colorful landscapes.
This itinerary covers a total distance of approximately 755 km and takes about 8 hours to complete, assuming an average driving speed of 90 km/h and stops for sightseeing and other activities. Keep in mind that travel times and distances may vary depending on road conditions, weather, and other factors, so be sure to check local conditions before setting out.
Day 9: Coober Pedy to Quorn
(about 310 km, approximately 3.5 hours)
The Quorn Wilmington Road is a sealed road in South Australia.
Drive from Coober Pedy to Quorn, a historic railway town located at the base of the Flinders Ranges. Explore the town's historic buildings and take a ride on the Pichi Richi Railway.
Day 10: Quorn to Barossa Valley
(about 230 km, approximately 2.5 hours)
Drive from Quorn to the Barossa Valley, one of Australia's premier wine regions. Take a wine tour or visit one of the many wineries in the area, and enjoy the region's fine dining and picturesque scenery.
Flinders Ranges
https://flindersandoutback.com.au/regions/flinders-ranges/
Where else can you discover a beautifully rugged and colourful landscape in a timeless land of history and wonder?
Experience the geological grandeur forged over more than 540 million years. Ancient gorges invite exploration, beauty reveals itself at every turn, and sunsets look like they have been painted on to the uninterrupted horizons. Welcome to the majesty of the Flinders Ranges.
Long regarded as one of the most magnificent destinations anywhere in the world and certainly near the top of many bucket lists, the Flinders Ranges offers visitors a seemingly endless range of experiences.
See the map here
https://flindersandoutback.com.au/regions/flinders-ranges/
Southern Flinders Ranges
https://flindersandoutback.com.au/regions/southern-flinders-ranges/
Just two hours from Adelaide, our southernmost region feels like a lifetime away from the hectic pace of the big city.
The region stretches from Spalding and Yacka in the south to Orroroo and Carrieton in the north. Port Pirie and Port Germein mark the western edge, and Peterborough in the east.
Explore the quaint country towns to find intriguing local history, art galleries and outstanding country bakeries. Venture into the scenic surroundings to discover your new favourite wineries, and bring the bikes and hiking boots to explore the stunning trails.
The incredible diversity of this region can only be described as a feast for the senses.
Day 11: Barossa Valley to Adelaide
(about 70 km, approximately 1 hour)
Drive from the Barossa Valley to Adelaide, the capital of South Australia. Take time to explore the city's many attractions, including the Adelaide Botanic Garden, the Art Gallery of South Australia, and the Adelaide Central Market.
This itinerary covers a total distance of approximately 2,062 km and takes about 9 days to complete, assuming an average driving speed of 60 km/h and stops for sightseeing and other activities. Keep in mind that travel times and distances may vary depending on road conditions, weather, and other factors, so be sure to check local conditions before setting out.
Day 12: Adelaide and beaches
Glenelg Beach
Start your day at Glenelg Beach, one of Adelaide's most popular and iconic beaches. Take a stroll along the jetty or relax on the sand, then head to one of the many cafes or restaurants in the area for lunch. In the afternoon, visit the Bay Discovery Centre to learn about the history of Glenelg and the surrounding area.
Or Henley Beach
Head to Henley Beach, another popular beach located just 10 km west of Adelaide's city center. Take a dip in the water or try your hand at windsurfing or kiteboarding, then grab a bite to eat at one of the beachfront cafes or restaurants. In the evening, head to the nearby Henley Square for live music and entertainment.
Or Semaphore Beach
On your final day, head to Semaphore Beach, a family-friendly beach located about 14 km north of the city. Take a swim or walk along the long sandy beach, then head to the Semaphore Jetty for great views of the coast. If you're visiting on a Sunday, be sure to check out the Semaphore Beach Market for local crafts, food, and live music.
Along the way, you can also make stops at other nearby attractions, including:
Adelaide Oval: Home to major sporting events and concerts, the Adelaide Oval is located in the heart of the city and offers tours of the stadium and grounds.
Adelaide Botanic Garden: A beautiful park located in the city center, with a wide range of plant species from around the world and several themed gardens.
Port Adelaide: A historic port town located about 12 km north of the city, with a rich maritime history and several museums and galleries.
This itinerary covers a total distance of approximately 40 km and takes about 30 minutes to an hour to travel between each beach, assuming light traffic. Keep in mind that travel times may vary depending on road conditions and other factors, so be sure to check local conditions before setting out.
Image courtesy NT Tourism
Google Map is only direct route Alice to Adelaide.