Clare

Clare is a tiny, off-the-beaten-track settlement on the Lasseter Highway, serving as a gateway to the remote wonders of Australia’s Red Centre. Surrounded by spinifex plains and red desert, it’s a place where the silence is palpable and the night sky blazes with stars. Travellers usually stop here for fuel, supplies, and a taste of authentic outback hospitality before heading deeper into the Northern Territory’s iconic national parks.

Highlights & What to See

• Mount Connor Lookout – Just east of Clare, this viewpoint offers a stunning panorama of the flat-topped Mount Connor, often mistaken for Uluru from a distance. The colours at sunrise and sunset are mesmerising.
• Lasseter Highway scenic drive – The road itself is an attraction, cutting through endless red plains with occasional glimpses of the Petermann Ranges. Keep an eye out for wedge-tailed eagles and wild camels.
• Outback stargazing – Clare’s remote location means zero light pollution. Pull over anywhere along the highway for a celestial show that includes the Milky Way and shooting stars.
• Kata Tjuta dune viewing area – A short detour from the highway, this spot provides a sweeping view of the domed rock formations of Kata Tjuta, especially dramatic in the late afternoon light.

Suggested Time to Spend

Clare itself is a brief stop – 15 minutes is enough to refuel and stretch your legs. However, the surrounding landscapes deserve at least half a day if you plan to visit the Mount Connor Lookout and the Kata Tjuta viewing area. Most travellers combine a stop here with a full day’s drive between Uluru and Kings Canyon, so budget 30–60 minutes for the Clare area plus time for photography and short walks.

Nearby Areas Worth Combining

• Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park – About 90 minutes west, home to the iconic Uluru and the domes of Kata Tjuta, with world-class walks and cultural experiences.
• Kings Canyon (Watarrka National Park) – A 2.5-hour drive north-east, featuring the dramatic Rim Walk and lush Garden of Eden.
• Yulara – The resort town near Uluru, offering accommodation, dining, and the Field of Light art installation.
• Erldunda – A roadhouse and camel farm at the junction of the Lasseter and Stuart Highways, great for a quirky pit stop.
• Petermann Ranges – Rugged mountains visible from the highway, with remote 4WD tracks for adventurous explorers.

Please check official sources for current details.