How far is Alice Springs to Darwin?
Written by: Cameron Ward
Published: 12/11/2018
Reading time: 4 mins
Alice Springs is a remote town, sitting snug in the middle of Darwin and Adelaide. It is flooded with red dirt and stunning mountain ranges, known as the beating heart of Australia’s Red Centre.
The outback range in between Alice Springs and Darwin is well worth the visit, offering you a range of adventures along the way. Regardless of whether you’re looking for a relaxing break amongst the stunning scenery or a more upbeat adventure, the route from Alice Springs to Darwin has you covered.
How far is it?
The total distance from Alice Springs to Darwin is roughly 1500Km, which can take up to 15 hours of driving. As this is a huge amount of time, it isn’t recommended to do it in all one go. Instead, pacing it out in a few days will give you a chance to relax as well as sightsee all the incredible stops along the way.
What to do along the Way
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The Devils Marbles
The first stop on your journey is to see the fantastic Karlu Karlu, also known as the Devils Marbles. This 1800-hectare conservation reserve is filled with hundreds of geological wondrous rocks. Forming millions of years ago, this iconic site will certainly not disappoint you.
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Daly Waters Pub
Take a step back in time as you visit the historic Daly Waters Pub. Back in the 30s, it was home to a mass number of shootings, murders, and cattle stampedes. Today, there are no longer any incidents, with the pub issuing a new tradition in the 80s. Visitors since then have had a tradition of leaving behind an item to mark their visit. The items range from clothes, souvenirs, to sentimental objects. It first began as a drinking bet between a coach driver stating that his busload of female passengers couldn’t drink a certain amount of beers. After the women lost, they took off their bras and hung them from the bar. A sight which you can still see today.
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Mataranka Hot Springs
Just South of Katherine is the small town of Mataranka. The town is famous for its superb natural thermal pools and bitter Springs midst the lush environment. The incredibly blue waters are said to heal aches and pains, which is ideal if you’ve spent the last few days in the car seat. The Mataranka Thermal Pool is filled with fresh spring water from the Daly and Georgina basins, being around 34 degrees at most times. The bitter springs are a break from the warm waters, curling around the native bushland to reach the Mataranka Falls. This stop is well worth the visit as it is ideal for blissed-out breaks with your partner or posse.
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Katherine
The town of Katherine is where the Aussie Outback meets the tropic lands. Step into the spectacular environment at Katherine Low-Level Nature Park, filled with unique animals, refreshing swimming spots, and gorgeous plant life. Learn about the land’s history and stop in at the Godinymayin Yijard Rivers Arts and Culture Centre. Here you can watch videos of the local aboriginal people sharing their stories and traditions as you wander the halls scattered with their beautiful art.
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Waterfalls
Darwin is nearby to an array of waterfalls to choose from. Once you’ve gotten close to your end destination, venture to the lush region of the Nitmiluk National Park to visit the popular waterfall of Edith Falls. Plunge into these waters to cool off from the scorching hot sun blazing down from above. The refreshing waters are surrounded by lush Australian natives and are a perfect place to spot some unique wildlife.