Lasseter Highway Scenic Lookouts

Stretching through the heart of the Red Centre, the Lasseter Highway connects the Stuart Highway to Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park. Along this 244 km route, several scenic lookouts offer sweeping views of the desert landscape, from ochre-red dunes to the distant silhouettes of Mount Connor and the Olgas. These stops are perfect for breaking up the drive and capturing the vast, otherworldly beauty of Australia's outback.

Highlights & What to See

• Mount Connor Lookout: About 80 km from the Stuart Highway, this viewpoint reveals the flat-topped mesa often mistaken for Uluru. The salt-encrusted Lake Amadeus stretches out in the foreground, creating a surreal panorama at sunrise or sunset.
• Kata Tjuta Dune Viewing Area: Located just before the Uluru-Kata Tjuta turn-off, this short boardwalk climbs a dune for a stunning vista of the 36 domes of Kata Tjuta (the Olgas). The light changes dramatically throughout the day, making it a photographer's dream.
• Erldunda Roadhouse Lookout: A quirky stop at the junction of the Stuart and Lasseter Highways. Climb the small hill behind the roadhouse for a 360-degree view of the surrounding plains and the chance to spot camels or emus.
• Yulara Lookout (optional): If you turn off to Yulara (the resort town), a lookout near the town centre offers a striking view of Uluru in the distance, especially at dusk when the rock glows red.

Suggested Time to Spend

Allow at least a full day to drive the entire highway and stop at the main lookouts. If you're heading to Uluru, plan to leave Alice Springs early (by 7 am) to make the most of the morning light at Mount Connor and arrive at Kata Tjuta by midday. A 30-minute stop at each lookout is sufficient, but sunset at Kata Tjuta Dune Viewing Area can easily stretch into an hour or more. For a relaxed pace, consider overnighting at Curtin Springs Station or Yulara.

Nearby Areas Worth Combining

• Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park – The ultimate destination, with the iconic rock formations and cultural walks.
• Kings Canyon (Watarrka National Park) – A 3-hour drive via the Luritja Road, offering dramatic gorge walks.
• Alice Springs – The gateway to the Red Centre, with museums, the Royal Flying Doctor Service, and the West MacDonnell Ranges.
• West MacDonnell Ranges – Stunning gorges and waterholes like Ormiston Gorge and Glen Helen, a scenic detour from Alice.
• Finke Gorge National Park – Home to the ancient Palm Valley, a unique oasis about 2 hours east of the highway.

Please check official sources for current details.