Melbourne to Alice Springs road trip: Distance, driving time & stops
The Melbourne to Alice Springs drive takes 24 hours to cover 2,245km. Turn it into a Melbourne to Alice Springs road trip and top attractions for the itinerary include the Grampians, the Adelaide Hills wineries and opal town Coober Pedy.
A road trip from Melbourne to Alice Springs is an epic undertaking that takes in some amazing outback scenery. It’s a drive that’s far too long to undertake in one stint, so you’re better off doing it over a few days, making a few stops along the way.
Before leaving, you may want to tick Melbourne Cricket Ground tours, Yarra River dinner cruises and cross-city hot air balloon flights off your Melbourne wish list. For a great range of Melbourne tours and experiences, explore here. To track down the best value Melbourne accommodation, come this way.
Alice Springs offers hot air ballooning over the rugged outback, spectacular adventures in the West MacDonnell Ranges and quirky camel rides. For a bigger range of Alice Springs activities, step this way, and for Alice Springs accommodation, book here.
Seven essential Alice Springs activities to add to your trip.
- See imposing red rock cliffs and stunning swimming holes – on a West MacDonnell Ranges day trip.
- Glide across the changing morning colours of the outback – on a hot air balloon ride.
- See how education works across the outback – at the School of the Air.
- Take in the epic outback scenery – on a scenic flight.
- See the outback wildlife come to life – on a Desert Park nocturnal tour.
- Try camel rides through the red dirt landscape – and learn the weird history of Aussie camels.
- See stunning, often unvisited outback sites – on a Palm Valley 4wd tour.
Melbourne to Alice Springs distance and driving time
The distance from Melbourne to Alice Springs by car is 2,245km, with a driving time of 24 hours.
👇 7 great day trips while you’re in Melbourne 👇
- Great Ocean Road tour – with koalas 🐨.
- Brighton Beach, Moonlit Sanctuary and Phillip Island tour – with penguins 🐧.
- Yarra Valley wine tour – with gin, cider and cheese 🍷.
- Grampians National Park tour – with bushwalks and LOADS of kangaroos 🦘.
- Mornington Peninsula tour – with hot springs bathing 🛀.
- Wilsons Promontory tour – with all manner of native wildlife 🦘🐨.
- Dandenong Ranges steam train ride – plus wildlife at Healesville Sanctuary and chocolate-tasting in the Yarra Valley.
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The quickest route is along the Western Highway, and Ballarat is the best place to make the first stop. Ballarat’s star attraction is the enormous open air museum Sovereign Hill, but other options include former Olympics venue Lake Wendouree and bizarre knight-themed Kryal Castle.
Melbourne to Alice Springs drive: Grampians and Little Desert National Park
After the Melbourne to Ballarat leg of the drive to Alice Springs, you’ll pass through Beaufort and near Lake Fyans. There’s a strong case for diverting into the Grampians. Here you can do bushwalks around wildlife-packed Halls Gap, and visit the Boroka Lookout, Lake Bellfield and Mackenzie Falls.
Back on the Western Highway, you’ll tick off Ararat, Stawell and the Giant Koala. You can also climb Mount Stapylton on the way to Horsham and Dimboola.
Top Horsham accommodation choices
The best places to stay in Horsham are:
- For central location: Comfort Inn Capital Horsham.
- For cabins by the Wimmera River: Horsham Riverside Caravan Park.
- For a solid, cheap motel: Best Westlander Motor Inn.
Dimboola and Nhill are the gateways to Little Desert National Park, a place for 4WDing, camping and desert walks.
The solid Motel Dimboola is the best bet for Dimboola accommodation.
Next section: Into South Australia.