Through the Heart of Australia

Total Distance 3030km
Average Drive Time 31h
Recommended Days 3 Nights +
← Back to all trips

Your stays

Choose a property, room type and dates for each night of your trip.

Stop 1

Explore Adelaide

Stay Quest Innaloo UAT 1 Night
Free WiFi Fully equipped kitchen Laundry facilities Parking 24/7 reception
Stop 2

Explore Alice Springs

Select a property
Stay Quest Mascot 1 Night
Free WiFi Fully equipped kitchen Laundry facilities Parking 24/7 reception
Stop 3

Explore Darwin

Select a property
Stay Quest Innaloo UAT 1 Night
Free WiFi Fully equipped kitchen Laundry facilities Parking 24/7 reception

Your Route

What to bring

For this epic journey from Adelaide through the Red Centre to the tropical north, pack light and smart – the climate changes dramatically from outback desert to monsoonal tropics.
The outback demands preparation: breathable, light-coloured clothing for Alice Springs's desert heat, plus a warm layer for cold desert nights. As you head north to Darwin's tropical warmth, switch to lightweight shorts and shirts. Closed-toe shoes are essential for desert walks like Standley Chasm. Sunscreen, a wide-brimmed hat and quality insect repellent are non-negotiables across all three stops.

Explore Adelaide

Adelaide is easy to explore when you're based at one of four Quest Apartment Hotels spread across the city: Quest Port Adelaide, a short drive from Semaphore Beach; Quest King William South, in the heart of the CBD's dining scene; Quest on Franklin, steps from Adelaide Oval; and Quest Mawson Lakes, the ideal jumping-off point for a Barossa Valley day trip. All four properties are accessible-accredited, and Adelaide's walkable streets, beloved markets and celebrated food culture make for a stay that's hard to cut short.
Explore Adelaide
Adelaide Central Market, Adelaide City Cultural Tour, Hahndorf village, Waterfall Gully to Mt Lofty Trail hike, Seamore's at Henley Beach, Bird in Hand winery Adelaide Hills, Press Food & Wine, Dolphin Sanctuary Kayak Tours

Explore Alice Springs

Accredited for accessible use and with 68 bright, spacious apartments, Quest Alice Springs is a cool oasis a short distance from where galleries, bars and boutiques cluster under the shade of eucalypts in the outback sun. You're a short distance from Epilogue Lounge & Rooftop Bar, where a frosty schooner is the perfect afternoon pastime, while back at Quest you can take advantage of the pool and BBQ area. The ancient wonder of Standley Chasm, the cultural significance of Araluen Arts Centre and the wildlife of Alice Springs Desert Park are all within easy reach.
Explore Alice Springs
The Goods coffee, Standley Chasm, Araluen Arts Centre, Alice Springs Desert Park nocturnal tour, Bella Alice restaurant

Explore Darwin

Accessible-accredited and pet-friendly, Quest Palmerston means fur-babies can come along for the holiday as well. Every Friday night throughout the dry season (end of April to end of October), the Palmerston Markets are held just two blocks down the street – a twilight meander brings you to a hub of fresh produce, local arts and crafts, food trucks and live entertainment. The Mindil Beach Sunset Market, Darwin Sailing Club and George Brown Darwin Botanic Gardens are all close by.
Explore Darwin Explore Darwin
Ray's Cafe and Patisserie, Darwin Sailing Club, Mindil Beach Sunset Market, George Brown Darwin Botanic Gardens, Berry Springs Nature Park and Territory Wildlife Park

Journey Home

Darwin is not the kind of city you leave in a hurry, so make the most of your last morning before the journey home. Whether you are flying or driving, the far north has a way of slowing you down – and that is the point. Stop at the markets if timing allows, and take a last look at that extraordinary sky from the Darwin Sailing Club before you go. The rest of Australia feels a world away up here, which is exactly why you came.
Journey Home Journey Home
Mindil Beach Markets final visit, Darwin Sailing Club farewell, tropical sunset, Darwin Airport departure