Tours From Alice Springs to Cairns

Highlights of our road trip from the red centre near Alice Springs to the tropical north of Queensland included Uluru and Kata Tjuta, Kings Canyon, the Devil’s Marbles, the plains of the Tablelands, Kronosaurus Korner, the gold mining town of Charters Towers, the Reef HQ Aquarium in Townsville, and the wonders of the Great Barrier Reef.

Day 1:

Alice Springs – Uluru

Do make sure you keep on the look-out for Mount Conner which will become visible after around 4.5 hours on the road. Mount Conner looks a lot like Uluru but it’s a different monolith altogether many travellers get confused by that. When you arrive at Uluru head straight to the National Park. Then Park your camper van and enjoy your dinner with the amazing view of Uluru at sunset.

Day 2:

Uluru – Kings Canyon

Spend the cool morning hours exploring the wonders of Uluru, the caves, the rock drawings, the waterholes, and much more. Then drive for 30-40 minutes to Kata Tjuta for another walk, for example, the half-way walk to the Valley of the Winds or into the Walpa Gorge. In the early afternoon hours, make your way to Kings Canyon so that you arrive before sunset.

Day 3:

Kings Canyon – Alice Springs

At Kings Canyon, you have two walks to choose from. Either you stay at the base and walk deep into the canyon for some lovely views of the Australian bush and the native flora. Or you attempt the climb up Heartbreak Hill to walk along the rim of the canyon past amazing rock formations and along enchanting outback scenery. Take a short helicopter flyover, probably one of the best experiences you will ever have.

Day 4:

Alice Springs – Wycliffe Well

From Alice Springs you head north on the well-travelled Stuart Highway. You can plan your stops along significant landmarks along the way, for example, the Tropic of Capricorn, the Aileron Roadhouse with the enormous statue of an Aboriginal warrior, the Red Centre farm and the Barrow Creek Hotel. Stop for the night at Wycliffe Well.

Day 5:

Wycliffe Well – Barkly Homestead  

Just a couple of clicks north of Wycliffe Well you will get to one of Australia’s most famous landmarks: the Devil’s Marbles. These huge round boulders are placed right next to the highway and cannot be missed. At the end of the day turn into Barkly Homestead with its rusty farm machinery in the front, the painted camel on the front building and the dusty plains.

Day 6:

Barkly Homestead – Mount Isa  

As you leave Barkly Homestead be prepared for another rather dragging journey along a long stretch of bitumen. In the meantime have fun spotting the termite mounts on the side of the road that previous travellers have dressed up in t-shirts and road workers’ clothes.

Day 7:

Mount Isa – Richmond  

Mount Isa is a big regional centre and a booming mining town. There are a few things you can do here such a visit to the Riversleigh Fossil Centre or Outback at Isa, great places to learn more about the rich heritage of the area.

As you are getting closer to Richmond the theme changes. This is dinosaur country. In prehistoric times the area used to be an ocean. This means that the number, completeness and quality of dinosaur bones that have been found here make this area one of the most exciting in the world of paleontologists. A visit to Kronosaur Korner in Richmond is a must.

Day 8:

Richmond – Townsville

Hughenden is, similar to Richmond, deeply rooted in dinosaur territory; you may want to set out to explore some of the pre-historic stories in Hughenden. Pretty Charters Towers should definitely be a place where you would want to stop. Founded as a result of the mad gold rush that transformed this area significantly, the city still had some wonderful heritage buildings that line the main streets.

Day 9:

Townsville – Cairns

There are many things to you can do and see in Townsville. With the Great Barrier Reef right off-shore a visit to the Reef HQ Aquarium is a must.  Dominating the city is the pink monolith of Castle Rock from which you will have the most amazing views of the city and the coast. With this, you make your way up north towards Cairns.

Cairns is a fantastic all-year-round holiday resort. If you are planning on staying here for a while, make sure you head out to the reef either on a diving or snorkelling trip or fly over in a helicopter or seaplane. Enjoy a dip in the Esplanade Lagoon or head to the Northern Beaches to spend some days in one of the luxury apartments and hotel complexes.

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