Erldunda ↔ Alice Springs

Erldunda ↔ Alice Springs

This stretch of the Stuart Highway, running between Erldunda Roadhouse and Alice Springs, forms part of the iconic North–South corridor linking Adelaide to Darwin, with the Ghan Railway running parallel for much of the way. The road is fully sealed, making for a smooth and scenic journey.

Points of Interest

Along the route, several key stops offer chances to rest or explore:

• Desert Oak Rest Stop – a peaceful place to stretch your legs beneath distinctive native trees.

• Stuarts Well Roadhouse – a friendly stop for fuel, food, or a quick break.

• Rainbow Valley – with its vibrant sandstone cliffs, this is a must-see. While it sits closer to Erldunda, it has access is from the north, and many day tours depart from Alice Springs to visit Rainbow Valley and the nearby Chambers Pillar.

Finke Bio-region & Seymore Range

North of the Palmer River, the highway cuts through the dramatic Seymore Range and Mount Breaden, forming a natural pass. This area’s rugged, moonscape terrain, with its sparse vegetation and flat-topped ranges, is part of the Finke Bio-region. While visually stunning, there is no off-highway access through this section.

Alice Springs & the MacDonnell Ranges

Alice Springs is nestled in the heart of the MacDonnell Range Bio-region, surrounded by spectacular ridges, rocky outcrops, and dissected valleys covered in spinifex grasslands, acacia shrubland, and woodlands. These ancient ranges stretch 400 km east and west, framing Alice as the spiritual heartland of the Arrernte people and the Dreamtime stories.

Exploring from Alice

Use Alice Springs as a base for memorable day trips through the East and West MacDonnell Ranges, visiting gorges, waterholes, and chasms that tell stories of deep time.

As a fully serviced regional hub, Alice Springs offers everything a traveller or resident might need. It’s the perfect place to recharge, restock, and reflect in a town rich with culture, history, and desert beauty.