Day 1
Alice Springs to Chambers Pillar
Distance 160km - Driving Time 3 hours
Collect your Britz 4WD, stock up on supplies, and head south on the Old South Road. The country opens to red sand plains and low spinifex as you approach the towering sandstone monolith of Chambers Pillar. This track includes sandy sections and corrugations, so drop tyre pressures, select 4WD where recommended, and take it steady. Ensure you have Britz written permission for Chambers Pillar before departing.
Where to stop between Alice Springs and Chambers Pillar
Napwerte / Ewaninga Rock Carvings Conservation Reserve: A short detour to see ancient petroglyphs etched into low sandstone boulders. Respect cultural significance and keep to marked areas. Maryvale (Titjikala) Store: A practical pause for last-minute supplies and local road updates before the sandy approach to the reserve.
Things to do in Chambers Pillar
Settle in and explore the short walking tracks to Castle Rock and the Pillar Lookout. As the sun drops, the 50 metre sandstone column blazes with reds and oranges for an unforgettable sunset. After dark, the outback sky becomes a glittering dome, perfect for stargazing.
Where to stay in Chambers Pillar
Chambers Pillar Campground offers basic facilities in a spectacular desert setting. Sites are unpowered and you will need to bring your own water. Caravans and motorhomes are not permitted, and spaces are limited, so book in advance and arrive early to secure a flat spot with a view.
Day 2
Chambers Pillar to Rainbow Valley
Distance 95km - Driving Time 2.5 hours
Retrace your route to the Old South Road and continue toward the Stuart Highway before turning off to Rainbow Valley. This is a classic Red Centre driving day with wide horizons, red earth, and the occasional camel sighting. The final access road is unsealed and can be sandy in places.
Where to stop between Chambers Pillar and Rainbow Valley
Maryvale (Titjikala) Store: Top up on fuel if available and check track conditions. Stuarts Well rest area: A convenient leg stretch and a chance to recheck your tyre pressures before the Rainbow Valley turnoff.
Things to do in Rainbow Valley
Walk the Mushroom Rock loop to see delicate arches and wind-sculpted formations, then wander the claypan for reflections of the striped sandstone bluffs. The light is at its best at sunrise and sunset, when the formation glows in bands of ochre, yellow and white. Stay alert for perentie tracks, zebra finches, and wedge-tailed eagles riding the thermals.
Where to stay in Rainbow Valley
Rainbow Valley Campground is simple and peaceful, with basic facilities and fire pits. There is no drinking water available, so arrive prepared. The night sky here is superb.
Day 3
Rainbow Valley to Alice Springs
Distance 105km - Driving Time 2 hours
Enjoy a slow morning in the soft desert light before rolling back to Alice Springs. With a shorter drive, you have time to add a cultural stop and an easy walk among the ranges on the way into town.
Where to stop between Rainbow Valley and Alice Springs
Napwerte / Ewaninga Rock Carvings Conservation Reserve: If you missed it on Day 1, this is a worthwhile detour for a deeper connection to Country. Emily Gap and Jessie Gap: Short walks to watercourses flanked by red walls and sites of cultural significance with rock art.
Things to do in Alice Springs
Stretch your legs in the Olive Pink Botanic Garden, visit the Telegraph Station to learn how this remote town connected to the world, or browse the town’s outstanding Aboriginal art galleries. Sunset from Anzac Hill offers a sweeping view across the MacDonnell Ranges.
Where to stay in Alice Springs
Discovery Parks Alice Springs is a well-equipped base with powered sites and easy access to town. Alternatively, Heritage Caravan Park offers shaded sites on the southern edge of Alice.
Day 4
Alice Springs to Finke Gorge National Park (Palm Valley)
Distance 138km - Driving Time 3 hours
Head west on Larapinta Drive, passing red-ridged ranges and desert oaks before reaching Hermannsburg. From here, a 4WD-only sandy track follows the ancient Finke River into Palm Valley. Obtain Britz written permission before travel if required for your route and only proceed if you have high clearance and 4WD driving experience. Allow extra time for slow creek crossings and soft sand.
Where to stop between Alice Springs and Finke Gorge
Hermannsburg Historic Precinct: Explore the mission buildings, learn about renowned artist Albert Namatjira, and visit local art centres. Finke River day-use areas: Pause beneath river red gums for a picnic and watch for birds along the watercourse.
Things to do in Finke Gorge National Park
Palm Valley is a true desert oasis and home to the rare red cabbage palms. Take the Arankaia Walk for a close look at palms and cycads, or the longer Mpulungkinya Walk through sculpted sandstone and palm-fringed gullies. Kalaranga Lookout near the campground is a superb sunset perch.
Where to stay in Finke Gorge National Park
Palm Valley Campground sits beside the river with shade, BBQs and basic facilities. Book ahead. Mobile coverage is limited or absent. Drinking water and showers are available in the campground, but you should carry extra water, plenty of fuel and recovery gear.
Day 5
Finke Gorge National Park
Distance 20km - Driving Time 1 hour
Spend a full day unhurried in the park. Mornings are cool and ideal for walking. Watch for black-footed rock wallabies on boulder slopes and listen for zebra finches chattering in river red gums. Respect any track closures after rain. Do not attempt the Boggy Hole 4WD track in a rental, as this route is prohibited for Britz vehicles. Slow afternoons invite a shaded siesta by the river followed by a golden hour stroll to Kalaranga Lookout.
Things to do in Finke Gorge National Park
Complete the Mpulunniitinya Walk if you did not do it yesterday, explore the short palm valley loops, and take time to enjoy the sense of remoteness that makes this park so special.
Where to stay in Finke Gorge National Park
Stay a second night at Palm Valley Campground to fully experience the park’s walks and changing light.
Day 6
Finke Gorge National Park to Hermannsburg
Distance 18km - Driving Time 1 hour
Ease out along the sandy access track and return to Hermannsburg for an afternoon dedicated to culture and history. It is a short day behind the wheel, balanced by meaningful time on Country with Traditional Owner stories and local art.
Where to stop between Finke Gorge and Hermannsburg
Kalaranga Lookout: A final panoramic look over sandstone amphitheatres before you leave the park. Finke River viewpoints: Pull in beneath the red gums to spot birds and enjoy the shade.
Things to do in Hermannsburg
Walk through the restored historic precinct, visit the gallery that celebrates the Hermannsburg School of watercolour landscape painting, and look in on the Hermannsburg Potters studio if open. A short stroll beside the river completes a relaxed cultural day.
Where to stay in Hermannsburg
Ntaria Caravan Park (Hermannsburg) offers simple, convenient sites close to the historic precinct and is a good springboard for tomorrow’s eastbound run.
Day 7
Hermannsburg to Trephina Gorge
Distance 210km - Driving Time 3 hours
Cross back through Alice Springs then follow the Ross Highway into the East MacDonnell Ranges. The scenery changes subtly, with broad sandy creek beds, ghost gums and red quartzite bluffs opening out as you approach Trephina Gorge.
Where to stop between Hermannsburg and Trephina Gorge
Simpsons Gap: An easy, short walk to a dramatic gap and waterhole where rock wallabies are often seen at dawn and dusk. Standley Chasm: A privately managed chasm with a short walk into a sheer-sided cleft that glows at midday. Corroboree Rock: A striking dolomite outcrop and quick loop walk just off the Ross Highway.
Things to do in Trephina Gorge
Stretch out on the Trephina Gorge Walk along the sandy creek bed beneath towering walls, or climb to the Ridgetop Walk for wide views across the ranges. The Ghost Gum Walk is shorter and leads to a viewpoint above the river. If conditions allow, a late afternoon dip at a rock hole is a refreshing way to finish the day.
Where to stay in Trephina Gorge
Choose one of the Trephina Gorge campgrounds set among river red gums. Sites are unpowered with basic facilities and must be booked in advance. The John Hayes Rockhole campground is 4WD access only, not suitable for caravans or motorhomes, and suits those seeking a quieter bush setting.
Day 8
Trephina Gorge Nature Park
Distance 30km - Driving Time 1 hour
Trephina rewards a slower pace. Begin with sunrise on the ridge, when the cliffs shift from grey to deep orange. Spend the day walking a second trail, birdwatching along the creek, or resting in the shade with a book. If you have a capable 4WD and the track is open, the short trip to John Hayes Rockhole offers a rocky pool and a rougher taste of the East Macs. Always check current conditions and only drive 4WD tracks you are comfortable with.
Things to do in Trephina Gorge
Mix a longer walk with an easy creekside amble, keep an eye out for perentie tracks and budgerigar flocks, and enjoy the classic outback stillness that defines this park.
Where to stay in Trephina Gorge
Stay a second night at your chosen Trephina campground to make the most of the walks and the evening light.Day 9
Trephina Gorge to Ormiston Gorge
Distance 220km - Driving Time 3 hours
Return through Alice Springs and head west on Namatjira Drive into the West MacDonnell National Park. Red walls rise higher, spinifex thickens on the slopes, and the road threads a chain of famous waterholes, each a tempting place to stop.
Where to stop between Trephina Gorge and Ormiston Gorge
Emily Gap: A quick walk into a site of cultural significance at the eastern edge of Alice Springs. Ellery Creek Big Hole: One of the region’s most accessible swimming spots, framed by towering cliffs. Ochre Pits: A short stroll to colourful ancient quarries used for ceremonial pigments.
Things to do in Ormiston Gorge
Cool off with a swim in the permanent waterhole, then walk to the Ghost Gum Lookout for commanding views over the gorge. If time and weather permit, the Ormiston Pound Walk is a Red Centre classic, weaving across a broad basin and finishing through a gorge floor.
Where to stay in Ormiston Gorge
Ormiston Gorge Campground has a spectacular setting near the waterhole with basic facilities and bookable sites. It is an ideal base for walking and swimming without needing to move the camper.
Day 10
Ormiston Gorge to Alice Springs
Distance 135km - Driving Time 2 hours
Enjoy a relaxed morning and a final swim. As you drive east, the familiar outline of Alice Springs returns on the horizon. Take your time and add one last stop for a lingering view or a picnic beside a red river gum.
Where to stop between Ormiston Gorge and Alice Springs
Redbank Gorge: An early short walk and cool paddle into a narrow, shaded chasm. Standley Chasm or Simpsons Gap: Choose one last easy walk to farewell the West Macs.
Things to do in Alice Springs
Refuel and restock, then enjoy a final wander through galleries or a sunset view from Anzac Hill. If you are returning your Britz camper today, aim for a mid to late afternoon drop off.
Where to stay in Alice Springs
If you are staying on, Discovery Parks Alice Springs remains a reliable, well-located choice for powered sites and good facilities.
Best time and preparation recap: Travel in the cooler months from April to September for pleasant daytime hiking and crisp, starry nights. Britz branches in the Northern Territory are closed 1 December to 31 March, and park tracks may close after heavy rain at any time. Most visitors will need an NT Parks Pass for these parks, and NT Parks campgrounds must be booked online before arrival. For Britz and other thl rentals, written permission is required for Chambers Pillar and some routes in Finke Gorge, and the access roads to both are suitable only for high clearance 4WDs driven by experienced 4WD drivers. Plan your days carefully, carry extra water, food and spare fuel, and consider hiring a satellite phone from the Britz Alice Springs branch because reception is limited. Always check current road and weather conditions before setting out.
Ten days in the Red Centre lets you slow the pace, feel the hush of a gorge at dawn, and watch the ranges glow as the light changes. When you are ready, you can easily book your Britz camper online and pick it up from your closest Britz branch before hitting the road.