SEEING Australia on four wheels is not new, but driving from Adelaide in the south to Alice Springs in the north, covering all of 3,016km in seven days, is an adventure few can boast of.

Typically, the journey begins at Adelaide. After an hour-and-a-half on the road, you reach Clare Valley, a wine region famous for its cellar doors and restaurants. While there, indulge in fine dining at the Magpie and Stump in Mintaro, which has tempted many a tastebud.

On the way to Port Augusta in the Flinders Ranges, you will arrive at the foot of the historic town of Mount Remarkable. The national park here is an excellent place for walkers and cyclists. Not to be missed is the Arid Botanical Gardens with its exotic plants that will leave you in awe.

Up ahead is Woomera, which, until 1982, used to be prohibited to visitors. Established in 1947 as a joint project with the United Kingdom for testing experimental rockets and missiles, it still boasts the only rocket launching range in the Southern Hemisphere.

What greets you next is Outback town Coober Peddy, producer of 85 per cent of the world's opals. The town's underground lifestyle is its selling point. Imagine visiting churches, bookshops, hotels and cafes - all under the ground!

Less than an hour's drive from Coober Peddy is the Breakaways Reserve, a region rich in Aboriginal history, and home to an array of native fauna and flora.

You know you are almost at the end of the journey when you see the iconic Ayers Rock or Uluru (Aboriginal name). Most people choose to spend the night at Ayers Rock Resort to enjoy the monolith in all its glory at sunrise and sunset. This is also your chance to get up close and immerse yourself in one of the world's oldest living cultures, by joining the guided tours conducted by the Anangu people.

The final stop at Alice Springs should give you cause for cheer. This is a great base from which to explore the surrounding natural wonders such as the West MacDonnell Ranges, and you will find yourself lost in the world of chasms and gorges.

Article contributed by the South Australian Tourism Commission. Visit www.explorersway.com for more information on self-drive holidays in Australia.

Photos: South Australia Tourism Commission