A road trip through Outback Australia is the ultimate drive you can do Down Under.

Nothing is so intrinsically, undeniably Australian than the Outback. This almost incomprehensibly vast area encompasses the entire interior of the Australian continent, characterized by endless desert plains, arid mountain ranges, almost no human presence, and mostly undisturbed natural landscapes.

Just because it’s so extremely remote, though, it’s critical to be prepared. Stock up on food and water, check your spare tire, and bring a couple of jugs of extra fuel. If you take care and prepare, an Australian Outback road trip will be one to remember!

The Best 5-Stop Road Trip Through Outback Australia

The classic Outback road trip takes travelers deep into the so-called Red Centre, the very heart of Australia home to the namesake red desert sand and rocks, as well as a few Australian icons.

On this particular road trip, you’ll drive from Adelaide in South Australia to Alice Springs in the Northern Territory. Alice Springs is the quintessential Australian Outback town, located basically in the middle of this enormous country, about halfway from Adelaide to Darwin.

Note: To follow this exact itinerary, you need a 4WD vehicle. The route includes most of the renowned Red Centre Highway, which features stretches of unpaved road. You can visit all stops on this itinerary by 2WD too, though. In that case, you’ll drive through Alice Springs first and visit numbers 4 and 5 below last.

Start: Adelaide

The capital of South Australia, Adelaide is the perfect starting point for a road trip through Outback Australia. Leaving Adelaide, you basically head straight north on A1, which eventually turns into A87 north in Port Augusta.

1. Flinders Ranges

Before you continue on A87, however, you’re strongly encouraged to make a short detour on B83, northeast toward Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park.

This epic national park preserves an area of arid hills, desert washes and canyons, mountain ranges and bushland. It’s centered on Wilpena Pound, a spectacular natural amphitheater home to St. Mary’s Peak, the highest point in the Flinders Ranges. Various hiking trails allow for up-close exploration.

Return toward Port Augusta the same way you came and head north on A87 toward Coober Pedy.

2. Coober Pedy

Possibly the strangest town in all of Australia, Coober Pedy lies in the heart of South Australia and is famous for its opal mining—it’s the world’s largest opal mining area. What makes this town so extraordinary, though, is that it lies almost entirely underground.

In addition to the subterranean mining operations, Coober Pedy’s population also lives underground in so-called “dugouts”. These residences make it possible to live relatively comfortably in this Outback environment, where the days are scorching hot.

Visiting Coober Pedy can be a surreal experience. People living in an underground desert mining town is something you might expect in movies about life after a major natural disaster. There’s nothing like Coober Pedy anywhere else in the world. And it lies directly on your Outback road trip route!

You can spend the night at an underground hotel, which is definitely a unique experience you won’t forget anytime soon.

3. Uluru

The longest stretch on this fantastic 5-stop Outback road trip itinerary is from Coober Pedy to Uluru. This section is 755 kilometers (469 miles) long and you should count on at least 9 hours to complete it—a full day of driving, in other words.

Uluru, formerly known as Ayers Rock, is the star attraction in the Red Centre, one of Australia’s natural icons. It’ll be a highlight on your Outback drive. This massive monolith is the centerpiece of Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, which is home to numerous hiking trails. Definitely consider hiking the Base Walk, a 10.6-kilometer (6.6-mile) loop around the rock’s base.

It’s worth spending a full day and at least one night at Uluru. The sheer magnificence of this towering rock is at its most apparent at sunset and sunrise, when the rising or dropping sun causes the rock’s colors to shift constantly. It’s a spectacular sight. There are various hotels, lodges and campsites to choose from—make sure to book ahead, though, since this is a super-popular place.

Additionally, you might also want to check out the park’s other half. At Kata Tjuta, also known as Mount Olga or the Olgas, you’ll find a collection of stunning domed rock formation. Hike the amazing 7.4-kilometer (4.6-mile) Valley of the Winds Trail or the shorter 2.6-kilometer (1.6 mile) Walpa Gorge Walk for a closer look.

4. Kings Canyon

After spending a couple of days exploring Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, head north toward Watarrka National Park, home to the majestic Kings Canyon. At this glorious park, you can either pitch a tent or get a room at Kings Canyon Resort, which is the nearest accommodation to the park.

The indisputable highlight here is Kings Canyon, one of the most spectacular river gorges in central Australia. It features everything from stands of cycads and permanent rock pools to Aboriginal rock art and fantastic hiking opportunities.

Arguably the best thing to do at Watarrka is hiking the Kings Canyon Rim Walk, a 6.4-kilometer (4-mile) hike along the canyon rim, providing superb views of the valley floor, surrounding desert landscapes, and spectacular cliffs.

5. West MacDonnell Ranges

The last destination on your road trip through Outback Australia is West MacDonnell National Park, situated northeast of Watarrka National Park, also on the Red Centre Highway. This beautiful national park lies just west of Alice Springs, occupying a long stretch of the West MacDonnell Ranges.

About 250 kilometers (155 miles) long, it encompasses numerous tourist attractions, many of which are canyons and gorges. Spend a day exploring this majestic park and visit gorgeous places like Mount Sonder, Ormiston Gorge, Glen Helen Gorge and Simpsons Gap.

Finish: Alice Springs

Home to an airport and various other tourist facilities and services, this Outback town is the gateway to Uluru and several other natural landmarks in the Red Centre.

It’s a convenient place to return your rental car (if you have one) and catch a flight to another amazing destination in Australia. Alternatively, you can continue your epic Aussie Outback road trip north toward tropical Darwin.