Lasseter Highway

Striking west from the Stuart Highway just south of Alice Springs, the Lasseter Highway is the red-dirt artery that carries travellers into the heart of the Red Centre. Named after Harold Lasseter, the prospector who claimed to have discovered a fabulously rich gold reef, this 244-km sealed road delivers you straight to the iconic Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park. Driving it is an experience in itself: the landscape unfolds in ever-changing hues of ochre, spinifex, and mulga, with distant flat-topped mesas shimmering on the horizon. By day, the light is fierce; at dawn and dusk, the desert glows. This is classic outback Australia — sparse, grand, and utterly compelling.

Highlights & What to See

• Mount Connor Lookout – Just off the highway, this view of the flat-topped mesa (often mistaken by first-timers for Uluru) is a stunning photo stop, especially in late afternoon light.
• Curtin Springs Station – A working cattle station and roadhouse where you can refuel, grab a cold drink, and even take a short walk to see the historic homestead and birdlife around the claypans.
• Kata Tjuta (The Olgas) – The turn-off to Kata Tjuta is clearly signposted; don’t miss the Valley of the Winds walk among these 36 domed rock formations, just 40 km past the highway’s end.
• Uluru at Sunrise/Sunset – The highway brings you to the Uluru–Kata Tjuta Cultural Centre and the sunset viewing area; the rock’s colour changes are mesmerising.
• Erldunda Roadhouse – Where the Lasseter Highway begins at the Stuart Highway; a good spot to fill up with fuel and stock up on supplies before heading west.

Suggested Time to Spend

Driving the Lasseter Highway from end to end takes about 2.5 hours without stops, but you’ll want to allow at least half a day to pull over at lookouts and explore side trips. Most travellers combine it with two or three days in the Uluru region. If you’re heading from Alice Springs, plan a full day for the drive plus sunset at Uluru. The highway is sealed and well-maintained, but services are sparse — fill your tank and carry water.

Nearby Areas Worth Combining

• Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park – The obvious destination, with the mighty monolith and the domes of Kata Tjuta.
• Kings Canyon (Watarrka National Park) – A 3-hour drive from the Lasseter Highway via the Luritja Road; the Rim Walk is one of the best day hikes in the outback.
• Alice Springs – The gateway town, 4.5 hours east; combine with a trip down the highway for a classic Red Centre loop.
• Finke Gorge National Park – Near Alice Springs, this park offers the rugged Palm Valley 4WD track and ancient cycads.
• West MacDonnell Ranges – A series of spectacular gorges and waterholes west of Alice Springs, perfect for hiking and swimming.

Please check official sources for current details.