The Explorers Way From Adelaide to Darwin in a 4x4

We are from Adelaide on our way to Darwin over the legendary Explorers Way. We leave South Australia behind and arrive in The Red Centre around Alice Springs.

Uluru

We are near Uluru, also called Ayers Rock, one of Australia's icons, and it is raining. We are in the desert, one of the driest landscapes in the world, and it is raining. I would love to take a classic photo of Uluru standing out against the blue sky but we are driving through fog. As we eat away our disappointment at the visitor center with lamingtons (a delicious Australian cake), we are told that this is just a very special time to visit Uluru. As the water from the giant rock makes its way down, the slots of Uluru turn into waterfalls. We put on our rain gear and then indeed see impressive waterfalls cascading down from the red walls. The next morning we drive back anyway for a photo of Uluru in fine weather.

Alice Springs and surroundings

I am amazed by the beautiful scenery around Alice Springs. Uluru is of course the famous attraction everyone comes for, but I find out there is so much more to see in this amazing area. The hike over the rim of Kings Canyon consists of spectacular views and beautiful rock formations interspersed with tropical oases. The beauty of a 4x4 is that it gives more options. For example, we can drive from Kings Canyon over the Mereenie loop to Glen Helen, instead of having to drive all the way back to Alice Springs first. The hike through Ormiston Gorge, which is near Glen Helen, is breathtaking. Alice Springs has the MacDonnell Ranges running on both sides, in which in addition to Ormiston, there are dozens of other beautiful gorges to explore. Trephina Gorge and Ellery Creek Big Hole are other gems. Some of these gorges can only be reached by 4x4. In Alice itself, the Royal Flying Doctor Service Museum and the Alice Springs School of the Air give a good impression of what it is like to live in the outback.

Classic outback stops

Then the journey continues north through the outback. The quote, "It's not about the destination, it's about the journey," is appropriate here. There are a number of classic outback stops: Devils Marbles, the historic Daly Waters Pub and Wycliffe Well, Australia's UFO Center. These stops are hard to describe; they must be experienced. It feels safe to be in a higher 4x4: after all, a kangaroo might just jump across the road. Another phenomenon where a little body is also nice are the road trains. These are trucks that are dozens of meters long and exciting to overtake or run into. What stayed with me the most are the beautiful sunsets over the outback, viewed from the camp chair. If you have the opportunity, this is something to experience once in a lifetime. The grey nomads (retired Australians who travel their own country for months or sometimes years in gigantic RVs) we meet at the camping spots are curious and always up for a chat. As the miles pass beneath us, we see the landscape slowly changing and becoming tropical. In the next part we will continue in the tropical north.