Road from Adelaide to Alice Springs

Road from Adelaide to Alice Springs

Stuart Highway

Hi, as we are using a hire vehicle, is the road sealed, or are we better off with a 4WD vehicle?

Comments for
Road from Adelaide to Alice Springs

Mar 03, 2011

Stuart Highway
by: Rita

Hi,

The road from Adelaide to Alice Springs is called Stuart Highway. As you can see in the photo, it is a good sealed road, no need to hire a 4WD.

The roads to Uluru/Ayers Rock, and the MacDonnell Ranges are sealed as well, so you can visit the best attractions of Central Australia with a normal car.

Related pages in the Outback Guide:
Stuart Highway main page
Uluru Tours
Alice Springs

Reader's FAQ & tips
Epic trip to Uluru and the follow up by the same author
Bush flies in the Australian Outback
Stuart Highway - Adelaide to Alice Springs
Driving Sydney to Uluru in September

Have a great time,
Rita

Mar 04, 2011

Adelaide to Alice Springs
by: Tony B

If you have the time, (and the money), you could hire a 4WD and head up through Port Augusta, Hawker, Parachilna, Marree, William Creek and Oodnadatta, then turn West and go via the Painted Desert to Cadney Park, (back on the bitumen), Marla and Alice Springs. (Find a good map and you'll see what I mean). The road from Marree to Oodnadatta is now known as the Oodnadatta Track. It used to be the main road from Port Augusta to Alice.

This way you will see some awesome outback country, including the Western Side of the Flinders Ranges, Lake Eyre, the Mound Springs near Marree, the Painted Desert and many relics of the old Ghan railway.

It's all dirt roads from south of Marree to Cadney Park. About 650Km at a guess. Fuel is available at all of the places mentioned above.

As always, you should check road conditions via the SA Government website, and it's especially worthwhile checking with the owner of the Pink Roadhouse at Oodnadatta. He knows the area very well.

(Do NOT attempt the Painted Desert road in a standard vehicle).

Do your planning and you'll have a great trip.

Mar 05, 2011

Great advice
by: Rita

Hi Tony,

I really agree with what you said. If someone has time and doesn't mind the extra costs to hire a 4WD vehicle it is a great option to include the backroads.

We did a similar trip - from Adelaide to the Flinders Ranges, along the Oodnadatta Track to Marla, then Uluru and Alice Springs.
On the way back we detoured from Cadney Park via the Painted Desert to Coober Pedy.

We stayed at several places 2, 3, or 4 nights, so we did it really slow. The entire round trip took 4 weeks. I wouldn't have been bored to spend 5 weeks or more on this.

Rita

Nov 30, 2011

4wd for the detour?
by: Lee

Rita,

you mentioned "we detoured from Cadney Park via the Painted Desert to Coober Pedy."

Is it possible to do this detour in a hired 2wd car? and how about in late December?

Thanks for the help.

Cheers,
Lee

Nov 30, 2011

Painted Desert Detour
by: Rita

Hi Lee,

The detour from Cadney Park via the Painted Desert to Coober Pedy is beautiful, but I would not recommend to do it in a hired 2WD car.

It is about 270 km on an unsealed road, and car hire companies just won't allow it. So in case you get in trouble, damage the car or whatever, you would lose your insurance, and perhaps risk a fine.

December will be certainly hot in Central Australia, so don't forget to drink plenty of water while you do sightseeing.

Rita

Click here to add your own comments

Need a map?

Hema offers the most comprehensive range of Australian maps and road atlases.
Find a map.

Are you looking for accommodation in Australia?

Compare major booking services and book your hotel at the best rate.

Back to Australian Outback Homepage