Northern Territory | Red Centre Way from Alice Springs to Uluru: An Iconic Outback Adventure

Day 1:  Alice Springs to Erldunda – ease into the Outback

Distance: 200 km
Driving time: 2.5-3 hours 

Your trip begins in Alice Springs, where you’ll collect your Apollo camper, and do a final stock-up before you head into more remote territory. Once you’re on the Stuart Highway, the town quickly drops away and the landscape opens into classic Red Centre scenery with wide skies, long horizons, and that unmistakable sense that you’re properly on an Outback adventure.

Optional stops in Alice Springs (before you hit the highway)

• Alice Springs Desert Park: a brilliant “set the scene” stop for understanding the desert ecosystem and local wildlife.

• Alice Springs Telegraph Station: a quick hit of history at one of the most important early sites in town.

• Anzac Hill: an easy climb for panoramic views over Alice Springs and the ranges beyond.

• Araluen Arts Centre: worth it if you’re keen on contemporary and Aboriginal art in a curated space

Stops on the way

• Stuarts Well Roadhouse: a classic Outback stop for fuel, food, and a stretch. It’s the kind of place that feels like part of the Northern Territory road trip story.

• Kings Creek Station (optional detour): if you want a quirky lunch stop, it’s known for its camel burger option, with a unique station vibe.

Things to do in Erldunda

When you reach Erldunda Roadhouse, you’ve arrived at the official “Centre of the Centre” of Australia; a proper roadhouse stop that’s geared around the simple pleasures: refuel, reset, and enjoy the novelty of being in the middle of absolutely nowhere (in the best way).

• Emu farm: Erldunda is home to its own emu farm, and it’s a fun, low-effort stop once you’ve parked up. Have a wander, check out the birds, and grab a few photos.

• Chill by the pool: after the first day on the road, the pool is genuinely one of the best parts of staying here. It’s a great way to cool down, and slow the pace before tomorrow’s bigger icons.

Where to stay

Erldunda Roadhouse / Desert Oaks Resort campground: it has powered and unpowered sites, plus the convenience of food, fuel, basic supplies and facilities all in one place. It’s an easy overnight base for this route.

Image: Tourism Northern Territory

Day 2: Erldunda to Uluru – first National Park day

Distance: 244 km
Driving time: 3 hours

From Erldunda, you’ll turn onto the Lasseter Highway and head toward Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park. The scenery out here is all about scale, with huge plains, deep red earth, and those moments where the road feels like it runs straight into the horizon.

Stops on the way

Mount Conner Lookout: often mistaken for Uluru from a distance, Mount Conner is a brilliant photo stop with views across the surrounding salt lakes and desert plains.

Things to do in Uluru when you arrive

• Uluru-Kata Tjuta Cultural Centre: make this your first stop to understand why this landscape is so significant, and to get practical info on conditions, cultural guidance, and track updates. (It’s also the best place to orient yourself before you start walking.)

• Uluru Base Walk (10.6 km): if you’re ready for a walk, this is the most immersive way to experience Uluru up close, including its textures, caves, and culturally significant areas. If you’re not doing the full loop today, you can still tackle a shorter section and save the full walk for tomorrow. 

• If you want something different from walking, a cycling tour is a memorable way to see Uluru from a new perspective. 

Where to stay

Ayers Rock Campground (Ayers Rock Resort, Yulara): it has campervan-friendly sites with access to resort facilities like restaurants, a small supermarket, pool, showers and laundry, making it a handy base when you’re travelling in the Red Centre.

Image: Tourism Northern Territory

Day 3: Uluru and Kata Tjuta

Distance: 40 km (moving between sites)
Travel time: 45-60 minutes 

Today is about giving Uluru and Kata Tjuta the time they deserve. With two nights based in Yulara, you can explore without rushing and build your day around the walks that suit your energy levels and weather conditions.

Things to do in Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park

Uluru experiences (choose your pace)

• If you didn’t do the full base walk yesterday, today is ideal for it.

• Alternatively, you can choose shorter walks and viewing areas around Uluru if you’d prefer something lighter on the legs.

Kata Tjuta (The Olgas)

• Valley of the Winds Walk is the standout for many travellers. It’s a more substantial hike with changing views as you move deeper into the domes. It’s also one of those walks where the scenery feels completely different from Uluru, even though you’re in the same national park.

• If you’d rather keep it shorter, there are easier options like the 2.6km Walpa Gorge Walk, that still give you a strong sense of the landscape.

Where To Stay

Spend a second night at Ayers Rock Campground. Staying put will allow you to focus on exploring the park rather than packing up and moving your camper.

Image: Tourism Northern Territory

Day 4: Uluru to Kings Canyon and Watarrka National Park

Distance: 300 km (via the sealed route)
Travel time: 3.5 hours

Rather than heading straight back to Alice Springs in one go, today turns the return journey into part of the adventure. You’ll leave Yulara behind and travel toward Watarrka National Park and Kings Canyon, which is one of Central Australia’s most impressive landscapes with sheer sandstone walls, shady pockets of vegetation, and walking tracks that deliver big views.

Things to do in Kings Canyon and Watarrka National Park

• Kings Canyon Rim Walk: for those up for the challenge, this is the headline hike here, with expansive views across the canyon and distinctive features like the “Lost City” rock formations and the Garden of Eden area. This is the one people talk about afterwards; just allow plenty of time and carry more water than you think you’ll need - the walk will take approximately 3 - 4 hours.

• Kings Creek Walk: a gentler alternative if you’d prefer to stay on flatter ground and still experience the canyon environment.

Where to stay

Discovery Resorts - Kings Canyon: a large caravan park with powered sites, it’s easily one of the most picturesque campgrounds in Australia. It’s also an easy run into Watarrka for tomorrow’s plans.

Image: Tourism Northern Territory

Day 5: Kings Canyon to Alice Springs and West MacDonnell Ranges highlights

Distance: 330 km (plus short local detours)

Travel time: 3.5-4 hours to Alice Springs

Head back to Alice Springs, then use the remainder of the day (or the next morning, depending on your flexibility) to explore the West MacDonnell Ranges (Tjoritja) — a brilliant finale because the stops are relatively close together and you can choose short walks, swim spots, or scenic lookouts without committing to a longer walk today.

West MacDonnell Ranges: optional stops

• Simpsons Gap: one of the easiest, most rewarding stops close to Alice Springs, with a short walk and classic range scenery.

• Standley Chasm (Angkerle Atwatye): a standout gorge stop with visitor facilities, and a great option if you want somewhere that feels substantial without being a full-day mission.

• Ormiston Gorge (if you’re keen to detour a bit further west): excellent walks and dramatic scenery, and a strong option if you want a bigger “end of trip” nature hit.

If you’re finishing your trip today, you can then head back into town and return your camper to the Apollo Alice Springs branch. Prefer to slow things down? Stay an extra night in Alice Springs and make the most of a relaxed final evening. It’s a great chance to enjoy a proper meal, restock, and fit in any last sights you missed before you return back home.

FAQs and quick answers

1. How long does it take to drive from Alice to Uluru?
   The direct route via the Stuart Highway and Lasseter Highway is roughly 450 km and typically takes around 4.5–5 hours in normal conditions, not including stops.

2. Can you do a day trip from Alice Springs to Uluru?
   It’s technically possible, but we would not recommend it as it would be at least a 9 hour return drive. If you went from Alice Springs to Uluru as a day trip, you would not have meaningful time for walks, the Cultural Centre, or Kata Tjuta. Breaking the trip up into multiple days gives you time to really take in the sights along the way and make the most of the experience without feeling rushed.

3. What’s the best month to go to Uluru?
   The cooler months are generally considered the most comfortable time to visit — May to September is popular because daytime temperatures are more manageable for outdoor exploring. While the summer months have their perks (hello outback beaches!) temperatures can reach into the 40 degrees celsius range. If you’re travelling in the shoulder seasons be sure to pack lots of water and keep up to date with any park closures. Note: Apollo branches in the Northern Territory are closed 1 December - 31 March for the wet season. 

4. Do you need a 4x4 to drive to Uluru?
   Uluru is accessible on sealed roads (Stuart and Lasseter Highways), so a standard 2WD campervan is suitable for this itinerary. You’d would however need a 4WD for certain unsealed routes and detours (e.g., some outback tracks).

Ready to plan your Alice Springs to Uluru campervan trip?

This Red Centre loop delivers some of the Northern Territory’s biggest icons in just five days with Uluru and Kata Tjuta, the dramatic walls of Kings Canyon, and a flexible day to enjoy the swim holes and gorges of the West MacDonnell Ranges, so you can choose your own adventure right to the end. 

Book your Apollo campervan in Alice Springs, lock in your key overnights at Erldunda, Yulara and Kings Canyon, and build in a little breathing room. In the Red Centre, the best days often come from small choices — taking the detour viewpoint, doing the walk you weren’t sure about, or staying put long enough to really understand where you are.