The Ghan

The Ghan is a famous passenger train that has been operating since 1929. The line runs through the desert between Adelaide and Darwin, stopping in Alice Springs. Depending on which service you take, this may give you the opportunity for a stopover in Coober Pedy or Katherine. 

There are various travel classes to suit any budget, so if you have plenty of time to spare this is a great add-on to your outback adventure. 

Travelling times vary depending on which Ghan service you choose to join. Current timetables can be found here.

Driving

Driving to Alice Springs can be a true adventure, but not one that should be taken lightly. Distances between towns are long, mobile phone coverage is patchy at best and temperatures out in the desert can reach incredible extremes both high and low. 

If you do decide to drive to Alice Springs, ensure that you have ample emergency supplies of food and water and a reliable, well-maintained vehicle. Make sure a friend or family member knows your planned itinerary, and avoid driving at dawn or dusk when animals are most active.

The below is a rough guide to driving times from major cities across the country - this does not include time required for rest stops. NRMA recommends taking a rest stop of least 15 minutes for every two hours of driving. Click here to read more about avoiding driver fatigue.

Bus

As an alternative to driving, bus services are also available with many operators such as Greyhound. Most buses run North and South along the Stuart Highway between Darwin and Adelaide, via Coober Pedy or Katherine.