Perth to Alice Springs road trip guide: Driving distance & best stops
Perth to Alice Springs road trip: The last stage
On the South Australian leg of the Coober Pedy to Alice Springs drive, there’s really not much to see or do. The main highlight is just north of Coober Pedy.
You can stop for petrol and snacks at the Cadney Homestead and Marla in South Australia before crossing the Northern Territory border.
On the Northern Territory section of the drive, the options are the Kulgera Roadhouse, Erldunda Roadhouse and Stuarts Well. The latter is home to Camel Tours NT, which lets visitors go for short camel rides.
Best Alice Springs accommodation choices
These are the best Alice Springs accommodation picks:
- For a solid, relatively affordable motel: Elkira Court Motel.
- For villas, gardens and a lagoon-style pool: Desert Palms.
- For backpackers: Alice’s Secret Travellers Inn.
- For a kid-friendly holiday park: Discovery Parks Alice Springs.
- For business-friendly serviced apartments: Quest Alice Springs.
Activities worth booking in Alice Springs include a West MacDonnell Ranges day trip, an early morning hot air balloon flight and a nocturnal visit to the Alice Springs Desert Park.
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.
5 great day trips from Perth – make your visit special
- Rottnest Island ferry transfer – with bike hire and snorkelling gear. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
- The Pinnacles desert – with koalas 🐨 and sandboarding.
- Wave Rock day tour – with wildflowers & Aboriginal culture.
- Margaret River wineries experience 🍷 – with tastings, caves & Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse.
- Full day Swan Valley wine tour 🍷– with lunch.