Routes Home > All Routes > NT > Red Centre

Finke to Uluru via Old Gunbarrel

Start		Uluru (Ayers Rock)
Finish		Finke (Aputula)
Difficulty
Suitable For
Distance	540.41 km
Minimum Days	2
Average Speed	77.4 km/hr
Travel Time	6 hrs 58 mins 56 secs

Route By: ExplorOz Team

Page Updated: 17 Dec 2021

Description

For many visitors to the Red Centre the drawcard of Uluru & Kata Tjuta 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 Route

Open the route in the ExplorOz Traveller app to navigate with real-time positioning. Download the app from your device’s app store if you don’t already have it. See the ExplorOz Traveller webpage for more information.

TIP	ExplorOz Traveller now features the NEW EOTopo 2026 mapset!

RouteID: 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 Route- Outback Safety, Outback Driving Tips, Outback Communications, and Vehicle Setup for the Outback.

TIP	Please refer to Road Reports published by the local shire and/or main roads for the area you intend to visit. Road/Track conditions can change significantly after weather events. Travellers must be responsible for their own research on current conditions and track suitability.

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 88 litres *	6cyl 95 litres
8cyl 83 litres	8cyl 90 litres

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

Best Time To Visit

June - November

Closest Climatic Station

Kulgera

Distance from Route 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

Uluru (Ayers Rock) 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: 8.36 km

Heading: 345°

Avg Speed: 72.21 km/hr

EST Time: 06:56

Drive northwest on Uluru Road. for: 8.33 km time: 06:44
Make a sharp right toward Yulara Drive/Yulara. for: 0.03 km time: 00:12

Yulara to Curtin Springs

Driving: 85.26 km

Heading: 96°

Avg Speed: 95.58 km/hr

EST Time: 53:31

Drive east on Yulara Drive. for: 0.59 km time: 01:00
Enter the roundabout and take the 4th exit, onto Yulara Drive for: 0.66 km time: 01:11
Turn right at the end of the road, onto Lasseter Highway for: 83.89 km time: 50:41
Turn left. for: 0.12 km time: 00:39

Curtin Springs to Lasseter Hwy & Mulga Park Rd

Driving: 11.65 km

Heading: 113°

Avg Speed: 93 km/hr

EST Time: 07:30

Drive southwest. for: 0.12 km time: 00:37
Turn left onto Lasseter Highway/A4. for: 11.52 km time: 06:54

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: 20°

Avg Speed: 60.86 km/hr

EST Time: 27:38

Lambert Centre to Kulgera Finke Rd & Lambert Centre Tk

Driving: 12.94 km

Heading: 146°

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

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.

Services & Supplies

Wildflowers

Nearby ExplorOz Routes

Related Travel Journals

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