Depart Canberra after an early light breakfast at Ona Coffee (or your hotel). Load the car, check tyre pressure and fuel, and aim to get ahead of traffic for the first leg toward Hay.
Quick coffee and snack stop in Yass at Home Deli Yass; stretch your legs and top up the tank — this keeps the drive pleasant and on schedule for the Riverina route.
Arrive in Wagga Wagga for a short break at the Botanic Gardens; stroll the river views and visit the award-winning Lazy River Café for a mid-morning snack if needed.
Continue west toward Hay. Enjoy the changing scenery of sheep and wheat country; plan for a quick roadside photo stop near the Murrumbidgee River to capture the open landscape.
Lunch stop in Hay at The Royal Hotel or The Western Plains Hotel — try a pub-style meal and sample local produce to refuel before the longer afternoon drive.
Drive out of Hay toward Mildura. This stretch traverses classic Riverina countryside; swap drivers if possible and enjoy audiobooks or a curated road-trip playlist.
Arrive at the Mildura region; first stop at the Murray River precinct for a riverside walk and photos. If time permits, visit the Mildura Wharf and the paddle-steamer PS Marion (view from the wharf).
Check in at your Mildura accommodation — recommended options: The Sebel or Quality Hotel Mildura Grand — freshen up and relax before dinner.
Early evening wine-tasting and pre-dinner aperitif at DeBortoli Wines' Cellar Door (Mildura region) or a short drive to Trentham Estate for local wine and river views if you prefer vineyard ambience.
Dinner at Fifty-Six Restaurant (The Sebel) or The Laneway Kitchen & Bar — enjoy Murray River trout, locally grown citrus, or a modern Australian tasting plate to celebrate your first night on the road.
Evening stroll along the Murray River at the Mildura Riverfront; stop for a nightcap at iconic The Stables Bar or return to your hotel to review tomorrow's route toward Port Augusta.
Back at your hotel: lay out essentials for the longer desert drive tomorrow (sunscreen, hat, water, spare tyre), charge devices, and get a good night's rest for the early start.
Early wake-up and light breakfast at your Mildura hotel or Fifty-Six Restaurant; load the car, check tyre pressure, oil and coolant, and pack a refillable water supply for the long outback stretch.
Depart Mildura heading west on the Sturt Highway (A20) toward Renmark and the South Australian border — aim to cover as much distance as possible before the midday heat.
Coffee and fuel stop in Renmark at Riverland Coffee + Kitchen or Renmark Bakery; top up the tank and pick up sandwiches or snacks for later on the road.
Short riverside walk at Renmark’s riverfront boardwalk to stretch your legs and enjoy early-morning Murray River views before continuing the drive through Riverland orchards and vineyards.
Cross into South Australia near Paruna and drive through semi-arid farmland; stop briefly at a scenic pull-off to photograph the changing landscape and trade drivers if needed.
Arrive at Waikerie for a leg stretch and mid-morning coffee at The Riverwalk Café — consider a quick detour to the Waikerie Lookout for sweeping views of the Murray River.
Lunch in Loxton at Loxton Hotel Bistro or La Trattoria — enjoy a hearty meal using local produce and refill water before the longer, drier section toward Barmera and the Stuart Highway turnoff.
Resume driving west, leaving the orchard country behind as the landscape turns more open and arid; ensure phones, GPS and emergency contact details are set for the outback leg.
Fuel and comfort stop at Berri or Barmera (depending on timing) — grab ice, sunscreen, and extra water. Stretch and visit a local service station or bakery for a quick snack.
Join the A1 (Stuart/Princes/Barrier highways connection) and continue toward Port Augusta, noting longer distances between services — switch drivers and listen to a desert-themed playlist or audiobook.
Arrive at Port Pirie area; if time allows, take a short diversion to the Port Pirie Foreshore for a quick break and coastal views before the final leg into Port Augusta.
Reach Port Augusta and check in at your accommodation — recommended: Majestic Oasis Apartments or Quest Port Augusta — freshen up and prepare for dinner.
Dinner at The Beach House or The Lighthouse Tavern (Port Augusta) — sample regional beef or seafood and enjoy a relaxed meal reflecting on the day’s long drive.
Evening walk along the Port Augusta foreshore or a short drive to the Wadlata Outback Centre to view exhibits if open; otherwise relax at your hotel and review tomorrow’s early start toward Coober Pedy.
Back in your room: lay out desert gear (hat, high-SPF sunscreen, extra water bottles), check tyre pressure and spare tyre condition again, charge devices and get a good night’s rest for the long outback drive ahead.
Early wake-up at your Port Augusta hotel; have a light breakfast (try the buffet or a takeaway from a local café like The Beach House if open), top up water bottles and perform a final vehicle check (tyre pressure, coolant, spare tyre) for the long desert drive ahead.
Depart Port Augusta heading north on the Stuart Highway (A1); aim to cover the first, cooler hours of the day as you leave the Spencer Gulf and head into increasingly arid country.
Fuel and coffee stop at Port Pirie or Wilmington depending on fuel range; stretch your legs, refill the tank and grab sandwiches or snacks to keep you going through stretches with limited services.
Short photo and leg-stretch stop at the Remarkable Rocks/looking-glass pastoral scenery near Quorn (if time permits via a slight detour) or a roadside rest area to capture early-outback light and swap drivers.
Arrive at Glendambo for a substantive break: refuel, order a hot pie or burger at the Glendambo Roadhouse, top up water and sunscreen, and check tyre pressures again before the longest uninterrupted stretch to Coober Pedy.
Resume driving through wide, iconic desert plains; enjoy an audiobook or curate an outback playlist while scanning for wildlife at dawn/dusk times and appreciating the stark, changing landscape.
Quick pull-off at a designated rest area — take photos of red earth and saltbush country, rehydrate, and take a short walk to refresh; keep an eye on travel time as services thin out the closer you get to Coober Pedy.
Arrive at the outskirts of Coober Pedy; stop at the Big Winch and Umoona Opal Mine & Museum to get your first take on opal history and the unique underground lifestyle before checking into accommodation.
Check in at your Coober Pedy accommodation — recommended options: Desert Cave Hotel or Underground Motel — freshen up and take five to adjust to the outback heat and remarkable light.
Guided tour of an underground home or mine with a local operator (book ahead) to learn about opal mining techniques and see how residents shelter from heat in dugouts; Umoona Opal Mine tours are a good option.
Visit an opal shop along Hutchinson Street to browse rough and cut opals; chat with a dealer about buying tips and perhaps pick up a small souvenir or a set of opal-studded cufflinks or pendant.
Early dinner at John’s Pizza Bar & Restaurant or the Desert Cave Hotel restaurant — sample hearty outback fare like kangaroo, steak or a generous pizza while discussing tomorrow’s shorter drive to Alice Springs.
Sunset visit to the Breakaways Reserve or the Moon Plain lookout — the shifting colours of the landscape at dusk are spectacular; bring a lightweight jacket as desert nights cool quickly.
Return to town for an evening wander around the illuminated dugouts and the underground church or stop by the Opal Shop Gallery for any last-minute purchases; enjoy a hot drink at a local café if open.
Back at your underground accommodation: recharge devices, top up water containers for tomorrow, lay out warm layers for the cooler night, and review your route and fuel options for the early departure to Alice Springs.
Lights out: rest well after a long day of driving and exploring — be prepared for an early start to tackle the final leg through the Red Centre on December 23.
Wake early in your Coober Pedy dugout or Desert Cave Hotel room; have a light breakfast (toast, fruit, coffee) and top up all water containers, sunscreen and hats for the long desert stretch to Alice Springs.
Final vehicle check at your accommodation: tyre pressures, coolant, oil, spare tyre and ensure your fuel jerry can (if you have one) is secured — then depart Coober Pedy heading north on the Stuart Highway (A87).
Morning fuel and coffee stop at Marla Roadhouse (or a suitable roadhouse depending on timing); stretch your legs, buy sandwiches or snacks and check-in on road conditions for the remainder of the route.
Continue across classic Red Centre plains, watching the light change the colours of the landscape; take a short pull-off for photos of the saltbush country and rehydrate before the long middle section.
Quick rest stop at Kulgera Roadhouse (approximate, depending on route) to refuel, use facilities and pick up more cold drinks or ice — this is a key last-service point before approaching the Territory service network.
Enjoy a picnic-style lunch at a designated rest area (or the roadhouse if open) — choose a shaded spot where possible, eat early to avoid the midday heat, and top up all fluids and sunscreen before resuming.
Resume driving through the heart of the Red Centre; listen to an outback-themed audiobook or soundtrack and scan for wildlife along the roadside as you approach the Northern Territory border and changing sandstone vistas.
Arrive at the township of Erldunda (or a major roadhouse depending on route timing) — refuel, stretch and take photos of the MacDonnell Ranges on the horizon; this is a good last major stop before Alice Springs.
Drive the final leg into Alice Springs with increasing red-sand scenery and iconic desert scrub; call ahead to your accommodation (suggestions: DoubleTree by Hilton Alice Springs or Desert Palms Alice Springs) to confirm an early check-in if possible.
Arrive in Alice Springs and check in to your hotel; unpack, freshen up and take a short walk around Todd Mall to get your first impressions of town and pick up a bottle of water or a cool drink.
Visit the Alice Springs Telegraph Station Historical Reserve for late-afternoon history and a gentle stroll among the historic buildings with MacDonnell Range backdrops — a great introduction to the area's colonial and indigenous history.
Dinner at Epilogue Lounge or The Overlanders Steakhouse — choose modern Australian or hearty outback fare (kangaroo, camel or premium beef) and sample local flavours after your desert drive.
Optional evening experience: book a sunset-to-dark stargazing session or a short nocturnal tour (check local operators) to appreciate the clear outback sky; otherwise enjoy a relaxed drink on a hotel terrace and chat about highlights from the trip so far.
Return to your accommodation: lay out clothing for tomorrow’s activities, charge devices, top up water bottles and make a short plan for exploring Alice Springs (Desert Park, ANZAC Hill, local galleries) on the following day.
Lights out and rest after a long but rewarding drive; sleep well to recharge for exploring the Red Centre the next day.