Newbie Life Member

Definitely take longer if you can, long way to travel and so much to see and do!

Hello, I think you should head east from Alice Springs on the Great Central Road. It’s a desert track that takes you through the heart of Australia. Moreover, don't forget to visit El Questro Wilderness Park. This is a sprawling wilderness area with gorges, hot springs, and waterfalls. Don’t miss Emma Gorge and Zebedee Springs.

Hi Jam,

I seem to recall this question being raised on another platform. Heading from Alice Springs back to Sydney, you could take a couple of different outback highways, however, you would need to head north first.

The Plenty Highway.
Heading north from Alice Springs on the Stuart Highway, about 70 kms, turn right onto the Plenty Highway. Continue about 70 km. and you will come to Gemtree. This is a good place to stay, and spend a couple of days. The caravan park run fossicking tours where they will take you to the Garnet or Zircon gem fields where you can fossick for gemstones. They have all the gear you will need, and will even help you sort the quality stones from the “rubbish”.

From Gemtree continue East on the Plenty Highway to Jervois Station, then Boulia, then south to Bedourie and Birdsville. From Birdsville, you can go a couple of different ways, the Birdsville Developmental Road, other south to Innaminka, Cameron Corner, Tibooburra, Broken Hill, then through NSW back to Sydney. Or continue on the Birdsville Developmental Road through to Windorah, Quilpie, Cunnamulla, then through outback NSW to Sydney.

The Barkly Highway.
Heading North from Alice Springs, the Barkly Highway is around 533 kms North of Alice Springs, and is a much longer route as it takes you through northern Queensland through Mount Isa, Cloncurry, Winton, Longreach, Barcaldine, Blackall, and down to NSW.

Check both routes out on Google Maps, and see which way suits you best.

Macca.