Alice Springs Explorer's Way

Journey Through The Outback

Adelaide to Alice Springs

Adelaide - Clare Valley - Flinders Ranges

Adelaide to Clare Valley is an easy two hour drive, and when you arrive there’s a long list of wineries to visit, why not jump on a bike and ride the Riesling Trail. Visit the Burra Visitor Centre Pick to pick up a Burra Heritage Passport which includes a key to unlock many of Burra’s historic buildings and museums.

Travel north from the Clare Valley and you’re on your way to the famous Flinders Ranges. Enroute visit Alligator Gorge in Mount Remarkable National Park, you can reach the gorge in ten minutes along a walking trail. Visit the Pichi Richi Railway in Quorn, there’s a museum and regular heritage train journeys to and from Port Augusta along the old Ghan railway line. At Hawker visit internationally-acclaimed artist Jeff Morgan’s gallery which features 360 degree panorama paintings of the Flinders Ranges. Rawnsley Park Station and Wilpena Pound Resort both provide accommodation for all tastes – from camping to luxury eco-villas. Activities such as four-wheel drive tours, walking tours and scenic flights can also be booked.

Wilpena Pound is a magnificent natural amphitheatre and the centrepiece of the Flinders Ranges National Park. It is home to native wildlife including emus, kangaroos, birds and the Yellow-footed Rock wallaby. Other highlights include Bunyeroo Gorge and Stokes Hill Lookout at sunset, as well as Aboriginal art sites at Arkaroo Rock and Sacred Canyon. Brachina Gorge is an important refuge for the Yellow-footed Rock wallaby as well as species of birds and reptiles. It has some of the oldest rock formations in the world.

Port Augusta - Coober Pedy

North of Wilpena Pound is Blinman, a historic mining town, where visitors can enjoy an underground mine tour experience. Bookings are recommended. Pass through Parachilna Gorge towards The Prairie Hotel in Parachilna, big on country hospitality the restaurant is renowned for its native Australian ‘feral food’. Then travel to Port Augusta via Hawker and Quorn.

Port Augusta to Coober Pedy is a long drive, but there’s plenty to see along the way to break up your journey. Before you leave Port Augusta, the Wadlata Outback Centre is a major attraction and an accredited visitor information centre. About two hours north of Port Augusta is Woomera and the fascinating Woomera Interactive Rocket Range Museum.

Coober Pedy is the opal capital of the world, so make sure you take an opal mine tour. The Coober Pedy Opal Fields Golf Club is the only club in the world with reciprocal rights to Saint Andrews in Scotland, the home of golf. Players carry their own piece of artificial grass due to the arid conditions! The Breakaways are one of South Australia's outback gems, these flat-topped mesas are spectacular at sunset. For a unique experience, sleep underground at a number of accommodation options.

Alice Springs

Last stop before you leave South Australia on your way to Alice Springs is Marla – population 70, give or take. It’s primarily a service town and is visited twice a week by The Ghan passenger train.

If you want to add some extra adventure to your trip, consider these itinerary alternatives.

Flinders Ranges to Arkaroola via Leigh Creek

North of Wilpena Pound is Blinman, a historic mining town, where visitors can enjoy an underground mine tour experience. Bookings are recommended. Pass through Parachilna Gorge towards The Prairie Hotel in Parachilna, big on country hospitality the restaurant is renowned for its native Australian ‘feral food’.

Leigh Creek is a coal mining town on the northern edge of the Flinders Ranges. Tourists can visit the coal mine and there is also good four wheel driving, bush walking and rustic outback pubs. Arkaroola is a private sanctuary, established by Reg Sprigg in the 1960s, offering access to some of the most spectacular landscapes in Australia.

Arkaroola to Marree

Arkaroola Wilderness Sanctuary runs a Ridgetop Tour in an open sided four-wheel drive. Passengers see some of the most spectacular and remote country on earth. On the way to Marree is the town of Farina. Its population peaked at about 600 in the late 1880s, today many stone ruins remain and have been restored by a group of keen enthusiasts. Marree is an important railway town for The Ghan passenger train.

Marree to William Creek

Just out of Marree on the Oodnadatta Track, you will come across the Mutonia Sculpture Park with some unique sights such as Plane Henge. At the Wabma Kadarbu Mound Springs Conservation Park, discover where crystal clear water from the Great Artesian Basin filters to the surface providing amazing springs in the desert environment.

With a population of ten, William Creek is one of the smallest towns in Australia. It’s located on the world's largest working cattle station – Anna Creek Station. It’s a great place to have a drink at the pub or take a scenic flight over Lake Eyre or the Painted Desert. The Painted Desert is an area of spectacular and colourful hills emerging from the desert landscape.

William Creek to Coober Pedy

Drive from William Creek to Coober Pedy - through Anna Creek Station which is larger than Texas! Arrive in Coober Pedy with time to settle in, why not sleep underground for a unique experience. A must do in Coober Pedy is a tour at one of the opal mines and museums such as The Old Timer’s Mine Museum and Umoona Opal Mine & Museum. The Breakaways are one of South Australia's outback gems, these flat-topped mesas are spectacular at sunset.

Coober Pedy to Alice Springs

Last stop before you leave South Australia on your way to Alice Springs is Marla – population 70, give or take. It’s primarily a service town and is visited twice a week by The Ghan passenger train.

This road trip was provided by South Australia Tourism.

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