The Northern Territory is a land of vast, majestic desert plains and ancient Dreamtime stories. Unlike anywhere else on Earth with its sparse population and unique landscapes, the Northern Territory draws visitors from all over. A road trip from Alice Springs to Darwin is one of the best ways to experience this incredible region, offering a blend of quirky outback towns, stunning natural wonders, and rich cultural experiences.
Wondering where to stop between Darwin and Alice? In this Alice Springs to Darwin road trip itinerary, SIXT Magazine looks at just a few unique outback towns of note on the long and epic Alice Springs to Darwin drive. You never know – you may find yourself passing through one of these true-blue Aussie towns on one of your future road trips!
If you need car hire in Alice Springs, look no further than SIXT. Located at the airport, our team will help you get what you need to explore the great Outback. Whether you’re looking for a family car, truck, 4WD, or anything else, there’s plenty of choice at SIXT.
Driving in the Outback
Before you get into the thick of it, there are a few things to be aware of. The distance covered in the Alice Springs to Darwin drive is bigger than most people realise. The journey itself is just under 1500 kilometres, which will take around 16 hours to complete. You’ll mostly be driving on the Stuart Highway, which is sealed all the way, making the drive less challenging compared to off-road adventures. However, you should still make sure you’ve got plenty of water, fuel, and somewhere to rest along the way. Whether you decide to stop in one of the outback towns or camp along the route, preparation is key.
Alice Springs to Darwin Road Trip Itinerary
View the full Alice Springs to Darwin road trip itinerary on Google Maps.
Alice Springs
If you’re taking off from the gateway to the “Red Centre”, spend a couple of days here first. As there’s so much going on, it’s difficult to decide what to do in Alice Springs! Our top recommendations include visiting the Aboriginal art galleries throughout the city and exploring the West MacDonnell Ranges that stretch hundreds of kilometres on each side of Alice Springs. A drive out to Simpsons Gap improves your chances of a black-footed wallaby sighting, and you can visit one of several natural gorges en route. If you want to stretch your legs before you start your drive from Alice Springs to Darwin, consider trekking some of the Larapinta Trail – a 223-kilometre trail with 12 sections that can be walked in part or in full.
If history’s more your thing, you can learn about the town’s past at the Alice Springs Telegraph Station and the Royal Flying Doctor Tourist Facility. Or head up Anzac Hill, a spot that offers a 360-degree view of the town and a place to pay respects to fallen soldiers. And if you’re visiting in July, the Alice Springs Camel Cup is a spectacle not to be missed.
Alice Springs to Tennant Creek (508km)
The first waymarker on your Alice Springs to Darwin drive is Tennant Creek, just off the Stuart Highway and the famed site of Australia’s 1830s gold rush. The distance between the two is no mean feat, so we suggest a few pit stops along the way:
Ti Tree
When you drive into Ti Tree, 193 kilometres north of Alice Springs, you are smack-bang in the geographical centre of Australia – and that’s something to tick off the travel bucket list! A small settlement, the population of Ti Tree itself hovers around 150. Indigenous communities bordering the area boost the region’s population, and the locals are exceptional artists.
If you need to stock up the car or refuel your tank, you’ll be pleased to know that Ti Tree has a hotel, petrol station and police station. It’s also renowned for its fruit and vegetable production, so be sure to try some local offerings before you set off!
Wycliffe Well
Beyond Ti Tree is Australia’s UFO capital, Wycliffe Well. This fun and unusual spot features a range of amenities and even the opportunity for a UFO sighting – if you’re lucky.
Barrow Creek
You’ll stumble across Barrow Creek after 280 km of straight driving on the lonely Stuart Highway from Alice Springs. If you thought Ti Tree was tiny, this is something else. Not only does Barrow Creek have a population of just 11 people, but it is also only home to a single roadhouse – built in 1926 and still with its original bar.
This pub is a popular place to pull up from the highway, and it’s filled with an amazing collection of memorabilia for travellers to check out.
If you’ve always wanted to see a real, tiny outback town reminiscent of the iconic Aussie film Crocodile Dundee, Barrow Creek is for you. With an average temperature reaching the high 30s in summer (and only dropping to 22 in winter) it’s the ideal spot to stop for a refreshing drink before finishing the day driving the remaining 200km to Tennant Creek. Or, break up the drive by visiting the Devil’s Marbles (Karlu Karlu), an impressive geological formation.
Tennant Creek to Daly Waters (406km)
Just over 400km beyond Tennant Creek is Daly Waters, an arid hotspot in the heart of the Northern Territory outback. As with many isolated desert towns, the main attraction of this town is its watering hole, The Daly Waters Pub. This historic landmark is famed for its Aussie charm and is a popular oasis in the heart of the Outback. It’s a great place for a feed, with cold beer and delicious barbecues. Once inside, you’ll see an impressive collection of clothing items left by visitors wishing to leave their mark. What kind of clothing items, you ask? You’ll have to go and see for yourself!
Daly Waters to Katherine (276km)
The next pitstop on your Alice Springs to Darwin road trip itinerary is Mataranka, just 168km or 1 hour 45 minutes drive away. Mataranka is known for its two thermal pools, Mataranka Hot Springs and Bitter Springs, offering a refreshing dip to weary travellers needing to rest their eyes from the vast stretch of road behind them. After a period of cooling off, you can continue your drive to Katherine.
Katherine is likely the first large town you’ll come across on your drive from Alice Springs to Darwin, home to around 6,000 residents. There is lots to see and do around Katherine, most notably Nitmiluk National Park. The area around Nitmiluk is gorge-ous (see what we did there?), with towering sandstone cliffs framing the Katherine River to form a 13-gorge system with exploring and croc-spotting opportunities abound. Etched into the walls you can see Aboriginal artworks dating back to 40,000 years ago. Nearby, there’s the beautiful Edith Falls or the Katherine Hot Springs if you fancy a quick dip.
Litchfield National Park
Around 120km from Darwin is Litchfield National Park, another must-see in our books. Here, you can visit Florence and Wangi Falls, which offer viewing points, swimming spots and walking trails to peruse. Or, if you’re feeling adventurous, Buley Rockhole has natural rock slides and cliff jumps you can enjoy, croc-free.
We recommend pencilling out two or three days to enjoy the scenery between Katherine and Darwin.
Katherine to Darwin (320km)
Humpty Doo
As you near your final port of call, Darwin, you’ll find the outback Northern Territory town of Humpty Doo. Not only is it fun to say, but Humpty Doo – 40 kilometres south of Darwin and with a population of just over 5,000 residents – actually has a thriving tourism industry year-round.
You can visit the Big Boxing Crocodile (one of many ‘big things’ to see around Australia) just off the Arnhem Highway. Or you can simply stop off, like many visitors do, on their way to Kakadu National Park. There are a couple of petrol stations so you can fill up your tank and various places to grab a quick bite.
Exploring Darwin
At last, you’ve reached the final destination on your Alice Springs to Darwin road trip – Darwin! The city has it all: a tropical climate, rich history and vibrant markets. You can easily stay a few days at the end of your trip to Darwin to tick off the surrounding national parks or local attractions. Fannie Bay is worth a visit, and an excellent way to learn about the area’s extensive military history in the Military Museum and Fannie Bay Gaol. In the evening, hop over to the Mindil Beach Sunset Market to enjoy street food, music, and a beautiful sunset, if you’re around on a Thursday or a Sunday.
Book Your Hire Car Today
The Outback is a must-see for any serious Australian explorer, and SIXT makes discovering everywhere on the Alice Springs to Darwin drive easy and convenient with car hire locations across the Northern Territory, with primary locations at Alice Springs and Darwin and their respective airports.
The Alice Springs to Darwin road trip is just one of many of Australia’s destination driving routes. Discover our list of the best road trips in Australia for more ideas and inspiration. So, start your Alice Springs to Darwin road trip planning today and prepare for the drive of a lifetime. If you’re thinking of driving from Darwin to Uluru, check out our itinerary, or get in touch with the team to see how we can make your road trip dreams a reality.
