Explorer's Way

The Explorer's Way is probably the most beautiful route for a road trip that Southern Australia has to offer. It winds through the breathtaking nature of the Outback, passing by hot spots in South Australia, such as Wilpena Pound - an incredible natural spectacle that I want to tell you about today.

Are you eager to explore the beauty and diversity of Southern Australia? What better way to do it than on a road trip? You're sitting in the car while the unbelievable landscape passes by your window, and you can stop whenever and wherever you want along the way. The Explorer's Way, a 3,000-kilometer route between Adelaide and Darwin, cuts right through the center of Australia and is thus the perfect opportunity to see as much as possible during your journey. The southern part of the route takes you past picturesque vineyards, the stunning cliffs of the Flinders Range, and the Australian desert, leading all the way to the world-famous Ayers Rock - an indescribable experience! I will now introduce you to all the stations you will pass along the way.

In the city center or at the airport of Adelaide, you can equip yourself with a rental car that will accompany you on your road trip. With sufficient planning, you can easily set out on your own. However, if you prefer, you can also book a guided tour. Depending on how long you wish to stay at each station, a tour through South Australia, as I am presenting to you today, takes about five days. Of course, you can also extend your trip by a few days if you choose to continue heading north.

When traveling through the remote Outback, it is important to observe certain precautions, no matter how beautiful it is. Keep in mind that normal cell phones may not have reception, and it would be wise to carry a satellite phone in case of emergencies. For serious situations, having a small supply of food, water, and fuel aboard is also sensible. It goes without saying, but you must stay on designated roads during your drive. Lastly, especially in the warm months, adequate sun protection in the form of hats, sunglasses, and sunscreen is a must. You can find tips against sunburn in my travel magazine.

The South Australian metropolis Adelaide has already been extensively introduced in my travel magazine. How convenient that your road trip starts here, allowing you to spend a few days in this beautiful city before heading off into the wilderness. The first leg of your trip takes only about two hours, and you'll already reach Clare Valley, one of the best wine regions in Australia.

What better way to take a break for lunch than to enjoy a delicious glass of wine produced right here in the region? I recommend Skillogalee Winery and Restaurant for an excellent meal. Even if you are not a wine connoisseur, you should not miss out on a small taste of the regional specialties during your trip to South Australia.

After another 3.5 hours, you will reach the Flinders Range, a nearly 500-kilometer-long mountain range that truly has everything anyone could hope for from a road trip through Australia, from high peaks and deep gorges to a unique flora and fauna. The Flinders Range also includes the unmatched highlight of the Explorer's Way: Wilpena Pound. Over millions of years, a natural basin has formed here, measuring around 100 kilometers in diameter.

Such natural spectacles are truly what makes South Australia so unique! One can probably only fully admire Wilpena Pound from an aerial tour. However, there are many options to explore Wilpena Pound and its surroundings for free. The region features excellent hiking trails that lead you to the edge of the crater. In the presence of this immense wonder, you will feel very tiny. It's an experience that etches itself into your memory and will stay with you for a long time.

It's worth staying for two nights and making the most of this opportunity to be in the midst of unique nature. The region has even more highlights to offer, such as Lake Eyre. This is actually the largest lake in Australia. But it is only technically, because it rarely fills completely. During dry periods, salt residue remains in its bed, making it a beautiful attraction. Sometimes the residues are tinted pink and sometimes as bright white as to reflect sunlight, just like the image below - an incredible sight, isn't it?

The landscape north of Wilpena Pound, through which you will continue after your stay at the Flinders Range, is shaped by its mining history. An approximately eight-hour drive will take you through the Outback to Coober Pedy. In this town, everything revolves around opals, which are mined here and are uniquely found in such high quantities nowhere else in the world. In the museum, you can learn more about the history of this extraordinary town. And if you like, you may even search for gemstones yourself in one of the still-active mines and thus actively participate in a significant piece of South Australian history.

Regardless of whether you're interested in opals or not, you should definitely pay a visit to Coober Pedy. What makes this town so unique are not just the valuable gemstones, but also the underground living caves where the residents live to escape the heat aboveground. Life in Coober Pedy is virtually entirely underground. Even when searching for suitable accommodations, you will frequently come across the so-called 'Dugouts.' So don't miss the chance to experience life underground for yourself!

From Coober Pedy, it's another nine hours until you reach Ayers Rock, the iconic landmark of Australia. Even though technically it is no longer located in South Australia but in the Northern Territory, you should not miss a visit when you get so close along the Explorer's Way. The Uluru, as it is originally called, is one of those places that everyone should see at least once in their life! It is hard to put into words, but the sight of the glowing orange tones at sunset has something magical about it. Detailed tips on how to respectfully behave toward the Australian Aboriginal people, for whom the Uluru is sacred, and more interesting information can be found in my report about Australia's Outback.

If you decide that you're not ready to end your journey yet and continue heading north, the Explorer's Way will take you past many more sights, such as King's Canyon and the city of Alice Springs, through incredibly beautiful national parks and the seemingly endless desert of the Outback, until you finally reach the town of Darwin, and you've crossed the entire continent from the southern to the northern coast - quite an impressive distance covered on a road trip along the Explorer's Way! I might tell you more about the journey toward Darwin in detail another time...

Would you like to hop on a plane right away to explore the beautiful south of Australia on a road trip along the Explorer's Way? Or are you still undecided if this is the best way to travel for you? Then check out my travel magazine for more inspiration about South Australia - and if wanderlust has struck you, take a look at my deals that can get you to Down Under at a budget-friendly price.

Cover image: © John Montesi