7D6N Driving Up Downunder

There is a choice of routes to take to Port Augusta today. The most direct way is through Port Pirie. This is quite a pleasant drive and will take around 4 hours. A more scenic drive is via Clare. The wineries around Clare are well worth a visit. From here travel on to Gladstone, the small town of Wilmington and to Port Augusta, the last major centre along the road linking Western Australia with South Australia

Travel north on the Stuart Highway into the real outback and desert of Australia. Travel on to the unique township of Coober Pedy where most of the population live underground in dug-outs to protect them from the severe summer temperatures, often reaching 45C.

Explore Coober Pedy before leaving, continue travelling north on the Stuart Highway and pass through Cadney Homestead and onto Marla, which marks the start of the famous Oodnadatta Track.

Continue travelling through Kulgera, and then to Erldunda and then turn off to Ayers Rock and Yulara Resort. This afternoon head out to the Rock, we suggest taking a slow drive around it before heading to “Sunset Strip” to see the famous Uluru.

Spend the day at leisure to explore all that the region has to offer. Take a walk around the Rock, a visit to the Cultural Centre, a Harley ride around the Rock or a scenic flight. Try a picnic lunch at the Olgas and a walk through the Valley of the Winds with the view of the spectacular sunset.

This morning is at leisure to explore more of Ayers Rock. You may wish to rise early to experience the beautiful sunrise over Uluru or take a walk into the majestic Olga Gorge. Leave Ayers Rock on Lasseter Highway and pass by the majestic flat topped mountain, Mt Conner. Turn left and take the Luritja Road to Kings Canyon. Skirt the rim of the Canyon and hold your breath as you gaze 300 metres down to the valley floor. The soaring sandstone walls frame the “Garden of Eden”, a unique waterhole surrounded by palms and ferns. The best time of day for the Kings Canyon Rim Walk is early in the morning when it is cool.

We recommend taking the Rim Walk at Kings Canyon early this morning, but it will be a very early morning to allow you enough time to drive onto Alice Springs. Depart Kings Canyon and return to the Lasseter Highway and turn left. Pass the Henbury Meteorite craters, formed around 4,700 years ago. Take the Stuart Highway north to Alice Springs. Spend the rest of the day exploring this beautiful part of the Australian Outback. Your vehicle will need to be return tomorrow by the same time it was collected on Day 1, to avoid additional charges.