Danyelle (Trucker Barbie)

Just two hours outside of Alice Springs, along the Stuart Highway you’ll find a peaceful outback retreat called Athelle Hideaway. This hidden gem is home to Danyelle – a Territory local with a deep love for the land, the road, and the animals she shares it with.

A caravan park like no other

Athelle Hideaway isn’t your average caravan park – it’s an experience in itself. Surrounded by the raw beauty of the Central Australian landscape, this special place offers travellers a truly unique place to pull up and stay awhile. Whether you're in a van, towing a camper, or setting up a swag under the stars, Athelle is the kind of place where people come for one night and end up staying for three.

With wide open spaces, a backdrop of red dirt and oleander trees, and the soundtrack of outback life – from braying buffalos to bird songs– it’s a true Territory stopover. But perhaps the most surprising feature of all is the grass.

“Visitors love the grass,” Danyelle says. “It’s lush and green in the desert – they can’t believe it.”

It’s this mix of natural beauty, unexpected comfort, and warm Territory hospitality that makes Athelle Hideaway a must-visit caravan park near Alice Springs.

The stops along the way

The Northern Territory is full of quirky and unforgettable stops that make every road trip one to remember. Visit the Daly Waters Pub, one of Australia’s oldest and most iconic outback pubs, where bras hang from the ceiling and the walls are lined with travel memorabilia. Stop in at Wycliffe Well, the self-proclaimed UFO capital of Australia, or snap a photo with the giant Devils Marbles (Karlu Karlu) – ancient boulders balancing in the desert. Don’t miss the Pink Panthers at the Larrimah Wayside Inn, known for its pet crocodile and eccentric charm. From outback oddities to offbeat roadside attractions, the NT is packed with personality at every turn.

Off the beaten track

Danyelle knows the Northern Territory like few others. She’s travelled its length and breadth, often venturing well beyond the tourist maps. Her favourite NT destinations are the ones that are often missed – the quiet, off-the-beaten-track places where red dirt roads lead to secret waterholes, hidden gorges, and campfires under endless stars.

But even with all her adventures, there are two drives that still take her breath away – the Explorer’s Way and the iconic road trip the Outback Way which takes you from Alice Springs to Uluru . These legendary routes capture the raw beauty and vast scale of the NT, offering travellers a front-row seat to one of Australia’s most spectacular landscapes.