Best Outback Australia Road Trips

Outback Australia isn’t one single place – it’s a vast, shifting landscape that stretches across state borders, climates and cultures. It’s red dirt and endless horizons, but it’s also ancient gorges, tropical savannah, opal mining towns and desert nights so clear you can see the Milky Way stretch across the sky.

From major city hubs, the highways eventually narrow, the towns grow smaller, and the sky feels infinitely bigger. Forget about ticking off landmarks quickly – an outback road trip is all about going the distance, taking your time, and soaking in the stories woven into the landscape.

Whether you have a week to explore the Red Centre or two weeks to cross from tropical north to desert heart, the Australian outback rewards travellers who plan well and embrace the scale of the journey. If you’re looking for an outback road trip itinerary, you’ll find four of the best below.

Hiring a Campervan for Outback Australia Road Trips

A campervan is one of the most practical ways to take an outback road trip, especially when starting from major depots in Perth, Darwin, Cairns, Brisbane, Sydney or Melbourne. Having your transport, accommodation and kitchen in one gives you independence in regions where towns can be hundreds of kilometres apart.

Flexibility matters when travelling through the Australian outback. You might adjust your plans around weather, road conditions or simply the desire to stay an extra night beneath the stars. With a campervan, you can overnight in well-equipped caravan parks in regional hubs or stay in designated bush campgrounds within national parks.

While some remote tracks require a 4WD, the outback road trips below are accessible via sealed highways and well-maintained roads, making them suitable for standard campervans when planned carefully.

Why Hiring a Campervan for an Outback Australia Road Trip is a Great Idea – Expert Advice

The Red Centre Way: Darwin to Uluru

Distance: ~1,9640 km one way
Duration: 10 days

This iconic outback road trip itinerary links the tropical Top End with Australia’s spiritual heart. Starting in Darwin, you’ll head south through vast cattle stations and desert landscapes before reaching the Red Centre’s most famous landmarks.

Highlights

• Nitmiluk (Katherine) Gorge – Cruise or paddle through the towering sandstone cliffs of Nitmiluk National Park, where the Katherine River cuts deep through ancient rock.
• Karlu Karlu (Devils Marbles) – The massive granite boulders of Karlu Karlu glow red at sunset, scattered across open country like giant marbles.
• Uluru & Kings Canyon – Stand before Uluru at dawn or dusk, then tackle the rim walk at Kings Canyon for sweeping desert views and hidden garden oases below.

Find more road trip inspiration in our collection of Darwin road trips.

Goldfields & Wheatbelt Loop: Perth to Kalgoorlie

Distance: ~2,370 km return
Duration: 8-10 days

Head east from Perth and the landscape gradually opens up. Golden canola fields and salt lakes mark the edge of the Wheatbelt before the scenery shifts to red earth, ghost towns and vast horizons in the Goldfields. This is classic inland Western Australia – big skies, long highways and towns built on gold rush ambition.

• Wave Rock (Hyden) – The 110-metre granite curl of Wave Rock rises unexpectedly from flat farmland, especially striking in early morning light when the colours deepen.
• Lake Ballard – Near Menzies, the salt-crusted expanse of Lake Ballard is dotted with Antony Gormley’s haunting “Inside Australia” sculptures – a surreal detour that feels otherworldly at sunset.
• Kalgoorlie-Boulder – In Kalgoorlie-Boulder, the Super Pit’s sheer scale is astonishing, while grand 19th-century buildings hint at the boom-and-bust history of WA’s gold rush era.

Travel further with our best WA road trips.

Savannah Way: Cairns to Darwin

Distance: ~2,990 km one way
Duration: 14-20 days

For travellers craving a true cross-border road trip, the Savannah Way stretches from tropical North Queensland across the Northern Territory to Darwin. It’s remote in places but unforgettable in scope.

Highlights

• Undara Lava Tubes – Near Cairns, explore the vast underground passages of the Undara Volcanic National Park, formed by ancient lava flows.
• Boodjamulla (Lawn Hill) National Park – The emerald waters and sandstone cliffs of Boodjamulla National Park are a lush surprise in the dry Outback.
• Kakadu National Park – Finish in Kakadu National Park, where wetlands, escarpments and ancient Aboriginal rock art sites showcase tens of thousands of years of living culture.

Explore more of the state with our Queensland road trips.

Sydney to Broken Hill & the Corner Country

Distance: ~2,530 km loop
Duration: 7-10 days

From Sydney, head west into far western New South Wales and the stark beauty of the desert fringe. This outback road trip itinerary blends mining heritage, art and big-sky landscapes.

Highlights

• Broken Hill – The historic mining town of Broken Hill combines grand 19th-century architecture with a thriving arts scene.
• Mungo National Park – In Mungo National Park, the eroded lunette formations known as the Walls of China glow pale against the desert at sunrise.
• Silverton – Once a bustling mining hub, Silverton is now a near-ghost town famous for its desert film sets and iconic outback pub.

Discover more Australian outback towns in our best Victoria and New South Wales road trips.

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