Marla to Uluru drive: Distance, time & best road trip stops

The best road trip stops on the Marla to Uluru drive are the Northern Territory border sign and the Mount Conner Lookout. By car, the distance from Marla to Uluru is 522km, with a 5h23m driving time.

The drive from Marla to Uluru is not the most exciting one you’re likely to do in Australia. It’s a slog through the desert from the last roadhouse in South Australia to the most famous sight in the Australian outback.

Uluru offers a guided base walk around the rock, the Field of Light installation and clear sky skygazing after a memorable dunetop dinner. To explore a full range of Uluru tours and activities, come this way.

8 great Uluru experiences to book before you arrive

• 1. Understand Uluru’s caves, bulges, gullies and spiritual stories on a guided base walk.
• 2. Be awe-struck by the changing colours on a SUNRISE tour.
• 3. Eat great food on a dune top, and enjoy an expert-guided stargazing session during a once-in-a-lifetime desert dune-top dinner.
• 4. See an entirely different kind of dramatic outback scenery on Kings Canyon day trip.
• 5. Do a lap of Uluru by Segway.
• 6. See the big picture on an outback helicopter flight.
• 7. See Australia’s most spectacular light show – the Field of Light at sunrise.
• 8. Admire the colour-shifting giant rock domes on a Kata-tjuta sunset trip.

Marla to Uluru distance and driving time

By car, the distance from Marla to Uluru is 522km. That makes for a driving time of around five hours and 23 minutes. Most drivers won’t bother stopping overnight at Marla – they’ll take the full grind from Coober Pedy to Uluru in one day instead.

The main attraction on the drive from Marla to Uluru is the Northern Territory border sign. You might as well make a photo stop there as there’s not a lot else to come.

The first snack and fuel stop on the Northern Territory side of the border is the Kulgera Roadhouse. In practice, though, you’re better off holding on for the Erldunda Roadhouse, 200km south of Alice Springs. This is where you’ll find the turn-off for the Lasseter Highway, which will eventually take you to Uluru.

Marla to Uluru drive: The Lasseter Highway

The Lasseter Highway connects the Stuart Highway to Yulara, the hub town for Uluru. On the way, you’ll pass the Mount Conner Lookout. Don’t be fooled – as many have been in the past – into thinking that Mount Conner is Uluru. It’s similar on first glance, but it is a totally different inselberg.

Otherwise, the only realistic alternative stop on the Lasseter Highway is the Curtin Springs roadhouse.

Experiences available at Uluru include a dunetop dinner, scenic helicopter flights, camel tours, and Aboriginal dot painting workshops.

Once at the rock, you can do the Mala Walk, enjoy the rock art at the Mutitjulu Waterhole and marvel at the Wintjiri Wiru drone show.

Which Uluru accommodation should I book?

Let’s not sugar-coat it: Accommodation at Uluru is expensive. Specialist Australian accommodation website Wotif lists Uluru accommodation for from $300. Check the top deals page to search through the options.

However, if you stay for three nights rather than two, hefty discounts tend to kick in.

The Uluru accommodation options are designed with different target markets in mind. Book which one fits you best.

• For the lowest prices: Ayers Rock Campground.
• For best quality: Sails in the Desert.
• For families and self-caterers: Emu Walk Apartments.
• For mid-range solidity: Desert Gardens.

More Northern Territory travel

Where to stop on the Camooweal to Katherine drive.

What to see on a Longreach to Uluru road trip.

How long is the drive from Cloncurry to Katherine?

Are there any Kakadu tours during the wet season?

The best stops on a Winton to Darwin road trip.