Canberra to Uluru road trip: Distance, driving time & best stops
Canberra to Uluru drive: Mildura to Port Augusta
The Mildura to Port Augusta driving route follows the Sturt Highway over the South Australian border, skirting the northern edge of the Murray Sunset National Park.
The first sizable town in South Australia is Renmark, which is the gateway to the Murray River Walk and the Riverland region. You can also visit the 23rd Street Distillery and stay at the Riverbend Caravan Park.
The Riverland region is home to several lakes that gather around the Murray River, and each one offers something different. You can go kayaking on Loch Luna or camping by Lake Bonney, for example.
The Mildura to Port Augusta drive then joins the Goyder Highway at Monash, following the Murray River until it turns for the south at Morgan.
Burra and the Clare Valley
The route continues to Burra, where you can build in a slight detour to the rugged landscapes of the Red Banks Conservation Park.
Burra accommodation picks
The best Burra accommodation options are:
- For plenty of space and homeliness: Paxton Square Cottages.
- For heritage and charm: Burra Railway Station Bed and Breakfast.
- For decent rooms and relatively cheap rates: Burra Motor Inn.
After Burra, the drive skirts the top of the Clare Valley, and if you want to stock up on quality Rieslings, you can take a detour south.
The route then joins National Highway 1 at Crystal Brook.
From here, the road trip itinerary heads past industrial Port Pirie and through Mambray Creek, which is the gateway to the Mount Remarkable National Park and Alligator Gorge.
Click through to the next section: Port Augusta to Coober Pedy.