The Stuart Highway south from Darwin to Alice Springs, through Katherine, Mataranka, Daly Waters, Tennant Creek and Devils Marbles. Allow seven to ten days for hot springs, gorges and outback pubs.
Day 1
Darwin to Katherine
🚐 About 3.5 hours (around 320 km)
Drive south via Adelaide River and Pine Creek. Visit Edith Falls and Katherine Hot Springs. Leave Darwin early and head south on the Stuart Highway. Edith Falls is a good swimming stop. Katherine has a gorge cruise and hot springs.
Optional things to do
Edith Falls swim
Katherine Hot Springs
Nitmiluk Gorge cruise
Where to stay
Holiday parkKatherine Low Level Caravan Park
Close to the river.
National parkNitmiluk Gorge Campground
Camping close to the gorge.
Day 2
Katherine to Mataranka
🚐 About 1.5 hours (around 110 km)
Soak in the Bitter Springs thermal pools. Walk the Elsey National Park trails. Bitter Springs is a clear thermal stream under palms. Mataranka Thermal Pool is a quick dip. Elsey National Park has walking tracks.
Optional things to do
Bitter Springs float
Mataranka Thermal Pool
Elsey National Park
Where to stay
ResortMataranka Homestead Tourist Resort
Powered sites beside the pool.
Holiday parkBitter Springs Cabins and Camping
A park close to the springs.
Day 3
Mataranka to Daly Waters and Tennant Creek
🚐 About 5.5 hours (around 600 km)
A long driving day. Stop at Daly Waters Pub and Larrimah. A long day with many kilometres. Daly Waters Pub is a famous stop for a meal. Tennant Creek has fuel and a supermarket.
Optional things to do
Daly Waters Pub
Larrimah Pink Panther Pub
Renner Springs roadhouse
Where to stay
RoadhouseDaly Waters Historic Pub
Camping sites behind the pub.
Holiday parkOutback Caravan Park Tennant Creek
A handy overnight.
Day 4
Tennant Creek to Wycliffe Well
🚐 About 2.5 hours (around 170 km)
Continue south to Wycliffe Well. Visit the Devils Marbles (Karlu Karlu). The Devils Marbles are a short stop. Wycliffe Well has an unusual collection of alien memorabilia. Fill up with fuel.
Optional things to do
Devils Marbles sunrise
Wycliffe Well roadhouse
Battery Hill Mining Centre
Where to stay
RoadhouseWycliffe Well Holiday Park
Powered sites and a pool.
National parkDevils Marbles campground
Simple sites.
Day 5
Wycliffe Well to Alice Springs
🚐 About 4 hours (around 380 km)
Finish the run into Alice Springs. Return your van or continue on to Uluru. The final stretch passes Barrow Creek and Ti Tree. Arrive in Alice Springs and return your van. Spend the evening on Todd Mall.
Optional things to do
Alice Springs Desert Park
Anzac Hill lookout
Telegraph Station
Where to stay
Holiday parkBIG4 MacDonnell Range Holiday Park
Close to the town centre.
Holiday parkWintersun Gardens Caravan Park
Shaded sites and a pool.
Plan ahead
Fuel stops are 150 to 250 km apart.
Avoid driving at dawn and dusk.
The wet season from November to April can close roads.
Carry plenty of water.
Campsite rules, fees and availability change. Check the park or operator website before you go.