Explorer's Way Promotion

The journey through the heart of Australia - from Adelaide to Darwin on the Stuart Highway - is one of the nation’s greatest driving adventures.

The Stuart Highway is, in every sense, Explorer’s Way. It follows the route of intrepid explorer John McDouall Stuart, who in 1862 became the first person to traverse the continent from south to north.

These days the trip is infinitely easier, with a high-quality sealed highway following Stuart’s 3,245-kilometre journey through South Australia and the Northern Territory. You’ll accomplish the route in seven days of relentless driving, but two weeks are recommended for a real insight into this breathtaking wilderness.

If you are looking for unique holiday experience, board The Legendary Ghan for the ultimate journey through the heart of Australia, where you will experience one of the most fascinating great train journeys of the world.

From Adelaide, head north in 1.5 hours and reach the Clare Valley, Australia’s premium cool climate wine region known for its Rieslings. Spend some time in this picturesque country enjoying the fine food and wine at its many cellar doors and restaurants.

Head to Port Augusta in the Flinders Ranges via Melrose, an historic town at the foot of Mount Remarkable. The national park here is an excellent place for walkers and cyclists to join the Heysen (walking) and Mawson (cycling) trails. Or stop for lunch at the historic North Star Inn at Melrose.

Travel on to Port Augusta, known as the Crossroads of Australia. It's an ideal base to take in many of the sights of the Southern and Central Flinders. Here you can visit the Arid Lands Botanical Garden – a showcase of the different arid zone environments incorporating the beautiful, hardy but delicate arid land flora, bird and animal life. Don’t miss the Wadlata Outback Interpretive Centre for a fascinating historical insight into the origins of the region or take a cruise to the very top of Spencer Gulf.

Drive onwards to Woomera. Established in 1947 as a joint project with the UK for testing experimental rockets and missiles, it still boasts the only rocket launching range in the southern hemisphere. Until 1982, Woomera was a prohibited area for visitors. But today the town’s history is on show at Missile Park and the heritage centre.

Overnight at Coober Pedy, the legendary South Australian Outback town that produces around 85 percent of the world’s opals and renowned for its underground lifestyle. Visit churches, bookshops, hotels, cafes and other businesses underground. Join a mine tour and ‘noodle’ for opals. Less than an hour’s drive from Coober Pedy is the Breakaways Reserve where cliffs and isolated rocks glow like a technicolour coastal scene without the sea. They’re at their most spectacular in the late afternoon. The region is rich in Aboriginal and European history and is home to an array of native fauna and flora, which have successfully adapted to one of the world’s harshest environments.
Nearby is the Moon Plain where films including Mad Max: Beyond Thunderdome and Ground Zero were shot.

Further up north passing the town of Marla which is the last town before the South Australia/Northern Territory border.

Head north on the Stuart Highway to Erldunda in the Northern Territory. Stop for a short break and get onto the Lasseter Highway for the World Heritage-listed Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park. Give yourself about 5½ hours for a leisurely drive and brace yourself for the most recognizable and spectacular natural icon of Australia – Ayers Rock or Uluru (aboriginal name).

Spend at least a night at Ayers Rock Resort to enjoy the monolith in all its glory at sunrise and sunset. Besides witnessing the amazing changing colours of reds, ochres and purples throughout the day, get up close and immerse yourself in one of the world's oldest living cultures by joining the guided tours conducted by the traditional landowners, the Anangu people.

Soak in some of the 90 rock art sites scattered around the base of Uluru, with paintings dating as far back as 8000 years, representing the history and ancestry of the Anangu people.

Complete your stay with Sounds of Silence, a truly unique Outback experience. It's an unforgettable evening with Uluru in the distance and a lone didjeridu echoing across the desert as you feast on an array of the Northern Territory's culinary delights. Then sit back and be mesmerized by the mystery of the desert at night as an astronomer takes you on a stargazing tour of the clear Southern night skies.

If you can bear to leave, head on back to Erldunda and on to Alice Springs, a vibrant town in the heart of Central Australia. Take a Camel to Dinner , enjoy a night of Aboriginal culture at Red Centre Dreaming, or catch a didjeridu concert at the Sounds of Starlight.

Alice Springs is also a great base from which to explore the surrounding natural wonders such as the West MacDonnell Ranges. Each of the West MacDonnell 's chasms and gorges has its own unique character and scenery. Simpsons Gap sports a permanent pool and rock wallabies live in the gap's rocky ridges. Standley Chasm lights up in fiery colours reflected by the overhead sun at midday. Enjoy a refreshing dip in one of the picturesque swimming holes, which offer the perfect spot for a picnic lunch.