Trek Home > All Treks > NT > Red Centre

Finke to Uluru via Old Gunbarrel

Start		Ayers Rock (Uluru)
Finish		Finke (Aputula)
Difficulty
Suitable For
Distance	538.24 km
Minimum Days	2
Average Speed	78.58 km/hr
Travel Time	6 hrs 50 mins

Article By: ExplorOz Team

Page Updated: 21 Feb 2020

Description

For many visitors to the Red Centre the drawcard of Ayres Rock pulls visitors year round from all corners of the country. For many self-drive adventurers in this region you're likely to be enjoying the dirt roads and camping experiences that got you this far. If your route has you passing through Finke, you can pick up this back route that will keep you away from those accessing Yulara from Alice Springs 'til you're almost there. You'll also get to follow an old stock route, stand at the planimetric centre of Australia, and drive a short section of the Old Gunbarrel Highway before intersecting with the main road into Yulara, which is the Lasseter Highway.

How to Use this Trek Note

If you'd like to download this Trek there are two options:

Purchase our app ExplorOz Traveller. This Australian-made GPS & Navigation app will allow you to download all the ExplorOz Treks to your GPS enabled smartphone/tablet/iPad or laptop and enable active route guidance along the route as per the Directions shown on this page. The app enables offline navigation and mapping and will show where you are as you travel along the route. The app also allows you to edit/customise the route. Viewing the Trek in the Traveller app also includes all the words, images and POIs exactly as on the website (excludes Wildflowers). For more info see the ExplorOz Traveller webpage.

Alternatively, if you already have another raster mapping software program (or an HN7 device) you can try downloading the route line data files via the Download Trek button shown below the map on this page (OR purchase EOTreks Route Files). Be aware that this doesn't include maps or text just the route line.

TIP	To purchase our maps for offline use, you will need to purchase an EOTopo map licence (available either in App Version, or Raster Version).

TrekID: 42

Preparation

MUST READ: You are strongly encouraged to read the following articles prepared by the knowledge experts at ExplorOz for your safety and preparation before undertaking any published ExplorOz Trek - Outback Safety, Outback Driving Tips, Outback Communications, and Vehicle Setup for the Outback.

Permits

Uluru - Kata Tjuta National Park entry fees apply.

Fuel Usage

Diesel	ULP	LPG
4cyl 76 litres	4cyl 87 litres	4cyl 108 litres
6cyl 83 litres	6cyl 87 litres *	6cyl 95 litres
8cyl 83 litres	8cyl 89 litres

Usage is averaged from recorded data (* specific to this trek) and calculated based on trek distance.

Best Time To Visit

June - November

Closest Climatic Station

Kulgera

Distance from Trek Mid Point 64.53km SE

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Mean Max. °C	36.9	35.5	32.1	27.9	22.6	18.9	18.9	22.0	26.9	30.2	33.2	35.0
Mean Min. °C	22.0	21.5	18.1	13.8	8.9	5.3	4.9	6.7	11.2	14.9	18.2	20.3
Mean Rain mm	28.8	36.8	31.5	13.4	12.3	16.2	12.4	8.9	15.9	22.1	25.0	32.8

Map

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Directions

Ayers Rock (Uluru) to Lasseter Hwy/Uluru Rd & Kata Tjuta Rd

Driving: 11.4 km

Heading: 322°

Avg Speed: 82.8 km/hr

EST Time: 08:15

Lasseter Hwy/Uluru Rd & Kata Tjuta Rd to Yulara

Driving: 8.06 km

Heading: 344°

Avg Speed: 72.91 km/hr

EST Time: 06:37

Yulara to Curtin Springs

Driving: 83.6 km

Heading: 96°

Avg Speed: 102.83 km/hr

EST Time: 48:46

Curtin Springs to Lasseter Hwy & Mulga Park Rd

Driving: 11.44 km

Heading: 113°

Avg Speed: 102.83 km/hr

EST Time: 06:40

Lasseter Hwy & Mulga Park Rd to Mulga Park

Driving: 66.25 km

Heading: 197°

Avg Speed: 102.83 km/hr

EST Time: 38:39

Mulga Park to Victory Downs

Driving: 141.44 km

Heading: 94°

Avg Speed: 93.97 km/hr

EST Time: 01:30:18

Victory Downs to Stuart Hwy & Old Gunbarrel Hwy

Driving: 24.73 km

Heading: 90°

Avg Speed: 4.81 km/hr

EST Time: 05:08:28

Stuart Hwy & Old Gunbarrel Hwy to Kulgera

Driving: 19.81 km

Heading: 30°

Avg Speed: 53.75 km/hr

EST Time: 22:06

Kulgera to Central Australian Railway, Kulgera Finke Rd

Driving: 12.87 km

Heading: 113°

Avg Speed: 81.77 km/hr

EST Time: 09:26

Central Australian Railway, Kulgera Finke Rd to Umbeara Station Turn Off

Driving: 31.24 km

Heading: 96°

Avg Speed: 91.76 km/hr

EST Time: 20:25

Umbeara Station Turn Off to Bloodwood Bore

Driving: 64.32 km

Heading: 75°

Avg Speed: 91.58 km/hr

EST Time: 42:08

Bloodwood Bore to Lilla Creek Station Turn Off

Driving: 1.97 km

Heading: 43°

Avg Speed: 92.33 km/hr

EST Time: 01:16

Lilla Creek Station Turn Off to Lambert Centre

Driving: 28.03 km

Heading: 18°

Avg Speed: 60.86 km/hr

EST Time: 27:38

Lambert Centre to Kulgera Finke Rd & Lambert Centre Tk

Driving: 12.94 km

Heading: 141°

Avg Speed: 59.7 km/hr

EST Time: 13:00

Kulgera Finke Rd & Lambert Centre Tk to Finke (Aputula)

Driving: 20.14 km

Heading: 64°

Avg Speed: 84 km/hr

EST Time: 14:23

Distance is based on the travel mode shown (Driving, Straight, Cycling, Walking etc), Direction is straight line from start to end, Avg Speed & EST Time is calculated from GPS data.

What to See

Ayers Rock (Uluru) - NT

Mountain,Peak,Hill

Position: -25.34434 131.03514

Lambert Centre - NT

Marker,Sign

Position: -25.61011 134.35481

Facilities

Where to Stay

For those who still prefer to bush camp rather than take the luxury of the camp ground or more upmarket accommodation available in the tourist resort at Yulara you need to stay out of town a little and pick a spot off to the side. Ensure that you have passed the "No Camping Allowed" zone that is clearly signed along the Lasseter Highway and follow any of the tracks off the main road until you find a site you like.

Curtin Springs - NT

Population - Station,Homestead

Position: -25.31482 131.75635

Services & Supplies

Curtin Springs - NT

Population - Station,Homestead

Position: -25.31482 131.75635

Wildflowers

Nearby ExplorOz Treks

Related Travel Journals

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