Darwin to Uluru road trip guide: Best stops, distance & time
Top stops on a Darwin to Uluru road trip itinerary include Katherine Gorge, the Devils Marbles and Alice Springs. The drive to Uluru from Darwin covers a 1,964km distance in around 20h4m.
A Darwin to Uluru road trip covers most of Australia’s Northern Territory. But there’s a massive distance between the NT capital and the Territory’s main tourist attraction. If you’re planning a road trip itinerary between Darwin and Uluru, you’re going to need to build some stops in along the way.
This once-in-a-lifetime dune-top dinner experience, with special stargazing session included, is our top Uluru recommendation.
Darwin brings schooner cruises, airboat tours and cage-swimming with massive crocodiles. To search for the best Darwin accommodation deals, head here. To check out the full range of tours and experiences available, go here.
Uluru experiences include a lavish dune-top desert dinner with stargazing, a guided walk around the perimeter full of Aboriginal cultural stories and a sunrise tour to the perfect photo stop. To browse a wide array of memorable Uluru experiences, head here. For the best Uluru accommodation deals, search here.
This guide should help you pick out the best places to visit on your epic Darwin to Uluru drive.
Darwin to Uluru distance and driving time
The distance from Darwin to Uluru by car is 1,964km. That makes for a driving time of 20 hours and four minutes.
The first leg of this journey is the 317km drive from Darwin to Katherine.
7 great Darwin experiences to book before arriving
- Swim face to face with an enormous crocodile in the Cage of Death.
- Enjoy the romance of Darwin Harbour on a sunset dinner cruise aboard a traditional fishing ketch.
- Explore Darwin’s food and art scenes on a 3.5 hour walking tour – with lunch or dinner included.
- Flit between Darwin’s top attractions with a hop-on, hop-off bus tour.
- Combine a wildlife tour with the famous jumping crocodiles cruise.
- Get a history fix on a Bombing of Darwin WWII tour and harbour cruise.
- Get the adrenalin pumping on a high speed airboat or jetski tour.
The best places to stay in Darwin
You can check out deals on a wide range of Darwin accommodation options. But these are some of the best choices.
- For luxury on a special occasion: The superior suites with direct lagoon pool access at the Mindil Beach Casino Resort.
- For the buzziest location at the Waterfront: Adina Apartment Hotel Darwin Waterfront.
- The one with the best guest ratings: Hudson Parap.
- For affordable city centre apartments with a pool: City Gardens Apartments.
- For the magic combo of quality, price and location: Travelodge Resort Darwin.
It’s well worth exploring Litchfield National Park on the way down. Highlights here include the Buley Rockhole swimming hole, Wangi Falls and the huge Magnetic Termite Mounds.
You can also visit Edith Falls on the way into Katherine.
Darwin to Uluru road trip: Katherine attractions
Katherine is arguably the main highlight of the Darwin to Uluru drive. It’s best known as the gateway to Katherine Gorge in Nitmiluk National Park, but there are plenty of other attractions around the town, too.
Highlights include the Katherine Hot Springs, Katherine Museum, Katherine Outback Experience, Mimi Aboriginal Arts and Crafts and the Godinymayin Yijard Rivers Arts & Culture Centre.
For understanding Indigenous culture, the two hour, immersive Top Didj Cultural Experience is arguably the best bet.
Katherine experiences to book in advance
- Two gorge boat cruise through Nitmiluk National Park – with commentary on nature, wildlife and Aboriginal Dreaming stories.
- Half day Nitmiluk Gorge canoe hire – get closer to nature, paddling through at your own pace.
- Outback show with live music, horse and working dog demonstrations.
- Top Didj Aboriginal cultural experience – learn about ancient customs and feed baby wallabies.
- Cutta Cutta Caves guided tour – spot bats and birds in the limestone cave system.
Best Katherine accommodation
The best Katherine accommodation choices are:
- For a pool-based resort: Knotts Crossing Resort.
- For location next to Katherine Gorge: Nitmiluk Chalets.
- For really good value: Pine Tree Motel.
- For a solid holiday park: Big4 Breeze or Discovery Parks – Katherine.
- For glamping with a view: Gorge View Bush Retreat.
Click through for the next section: Mataranka and Tennant Creek.