Sydney to Uluru road trip guide: Distance, time & best stops

Sydney to Uluru drive: South Australian leg

Next comes the drive from Mildura to Port Augusta, which takes around five hours and 45 minutes. This goes through Renmark in South Australia, then Burra – which is close to the red cliff and wildlife-packed 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.

The Red Banks Conservation Park near Burra in South Australia was once home to giant wombats. Photo by Isaac Forman, Serio.

The best stop, however, involves a slight detour to the south of the quickest route. The Clare Valley is one of South Australia’s finest wine regions, and is well known for its Rieslings.

Once suitably stocked up on wine, you’ll join the Augusta Highway near Port Pirie, then pass through Mambray Creek on the way to crossroads town Port Augusta.

Port Augusta accommodation picks

Port Augusta accommodation tends towards the functional. Few people stay here more than one night. Booking site Wotif lists options for from $89, if you’d like to check what’s available.

However, these Port Augusta accommodation choices are particularly worth looking at:

For heritage and character: Pampas Motel.
For green credentials: Crossroads Ecomotel.
For overall quality: Majestic Oasis Apartments.
For cheap rates and a pool: Discovery Parks – Port Augusta.

Into the outback

Port Augusta is where the Sydney to Uluru road trip joins the notorious Stuart Highway through the middle of Australia. You don’t have to drive too far north to hit true outback.

It’s 540km from Port Augusta to Coober Pedy, which should take around five hours and 40 minutes. The best stops on the way are once-secret military and space exploration town Woomera and the Lake Hart salt lake.

Lake Hart salt lake in South Australia, just off the Stuart Highway — From the Lake Hart rest area on the Stuart Highway near Woomera, it’s a short walk to one of South Australia’s most impressive salt lakes. Photo by David Whitley/ Australia Travel Questions

Marvellously bizarre Coober Pedy is the classic outback town, where most people live underground. It’s worth taking time to do an opal mine tour.

Best Coober Pedy accommodation choices

The most interesting places to stay in Coober Pedy are:

For gloriously weird underground rooms in a former opal mine: Comfort Inn Coober Pedy Experience.
For (usually) the cheapest rates: The Underground Motel.
For pool, playground and apartments: Big4 Stuart Range Outback Resort.
For above ground rooms made from rammed earth, with merciful air-conditioning: Mud Hut Motel.

Click through to the next section: Northern Territory.

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