Most travellers first outback adventure starts when they head north of Adelaide and travel through the Flinders Ranges, then up to Alice Springs via Coober Pedy and the Red Centre.
This link of Adelaide to Alice Springs includes the trip into Alice Springs via the West MacDonnell Ranges:
Road Trip Map – Adelaide to Alice Springs
All you need to do when the map appears is remove whatever places you decide to skip and the route will automatically adjust.
Also if possible use Curtin Springs as your base while exploring Uluru & the Olgas has they provide a free campsite and also they only charge a couple of dollars for a hot shower, compared to the $20 per person that the Ayers Rock camp ground charges for camping.
When you leave Kings Canyon you head via the Mereenie Loop and then through the West MacDonnell Ranges to Alice Springs.
You will need an access permit to travel the Mereenie Loop. Currently it is about $5 per vehicle and can be obtained from the Kings Canyon Resort.
For more information click on this link Mereenie Loop Permit Details
On the way you will see:
- Mereenie Valley Glen Helen Gorge
- Redbank Gorge & Mt Sonder
- Glen Helen Gorge
- Ormiston Gorge
- Ochre Pits
- Serpentine Gorge
- before reaching your final destination of Alice Springs.
FREE CAMPING SITES ON YOUR MEREENIE LOOP ADVENTURE
Ginty’s Lookout (40 kms after Kings Canyon)
Once you are finished your Kings Canyon journey Ginty’s Lookout is only a short drive from Kings Canyon and as the campground at Kings Canyon is $20 per person, it’s worth moving on to Ginty’s Lookout.
2 Mile (opposite the turn off to Glen Helen Gorge)
It’s a typical bush camp along various tracks of the river bank of the dry river beds. Beware first sections of this camp area are accessible by 2WD, but it quickly becomes 4WD.
Free Roadside Camping (107kms from Alice)
Just before the turn-off to Serpentine Chalet (about 2kms) this free campsite hasa water tank, a shaded shelter and picnic tables). It’s a great place to watch the sunset on Mt Sonder.
Serpentine Chalet (105km from Alice)
A bush camp that’s pretty basic, but hey it’s FREE
There are camping facilities at Ellery Creek Big Hole, Ormiston Gorge, Glen Helen Resort, however fees do apply.
These other links will give you all the information that you will need to start your outback trip: