Lasseter Highway

Striking west from the Stuart Highway near Erldunda, the Lasseter Highway is the red-dirt artery that leads into the heart of Australia's Red Centre. This sealed, two-lane road cuts through vast spinifex plains, mulga scrub, and low rocky ranges, offering a raw, outback drive that culminates at the iconic Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park. The highway itself is a journey—an ever-changing palette of ochres and deep blues under an endless sky, where wedge-tailed eagles soar and kangaroos bound across the roadside. It's the essential link for anyone exploring the region's ancient landscapes and Aboriginal cultural sites.

Highlights & What to See

• Mount Conner (Attila) – A flat-topped mesa visible from the highway, often mistaken for Uluru from a distance; its sheer size and layered geology are mesmerizing.
• Curtain Springs – A working cattle station and roadhouse with a small museum of outback memorabilia; a great spot for a cold drink and a photo of the iconic 'Welcome to the Red Centre' sign.
• Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park – The highway ends at the park entrance, where you can witness Uluru at sunrise or sunset, walk the base, and explore the domes of Kata Tjuta.
• Yulara – The purpose-built resort town just outside the park, offering accommodation, dining, and the Field of Light art installation.

Suggested Time to Spend

Allow at least half a day to drive the 244 km from the Stuart Highway to Yulara, including stops. Most travellers spend 2–3 days based at Yulara to fully experience Uluru and Kata Tjuta. If you're driving straight through, budget 3–4 hours plus time for photo stops. The highway is easily done as a day trip from Alice Springs (4.5 hours one way), but an overnight stay is recommended to catch the light shows. Fuel up at Erldunda or Curtin Springs; services are sparse.

Nearby Areas Worth Combining

• Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park – The obvious destination, with world-famous rock formations and cultural walks.
• Kings Canyon (Watarrka National Park) – A 2.5-hour drive north via the Luritja Road, offering dramatic canyon rim walks and permanent waterholes.
• Watarrka National Park – Home to Kings Canyon and lesser-known gorges; combine with the Lasseter Highway for a classic Red Centre loop.
• Alice Springs – The regional hub, 4.5 hours east, with the Royal Flying Doctor Service, School of the Air, and the West MacDonnell Ranges.
• West MacDonnell Ranges – A series of stunning gorges and waterholes (Ormiston Gorge, Glen Helen) on the way to or from Alice Springs.

Please check official sources for current details.