Get ready to embark on a one-of-a-kind road trip through the heart of Australia. A drive also known as the ‘Explorer Highway’ will take you on a remote journey through spectacular wide-open landscapes. Stop at quirky places along the way, meet the friendly locals, learn more about the fascinating history and visit an assortment of natural wonders. This epic adventure is guaranteed to leave an everlasting impression.
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The Stuart Highway is one of Australia's major highways and longest roads. It stretches 2834 kilometres across the heart of the Australian continent. From Port Augusta in South Australia through Central Australia to Darwin in the Northern Territory.
The south to the north has proven to be the most popular route. Many people travel between Adelaide, 300 kilometres south of Port Augusta, and Uluru/Kata Tjuta National Park. The road further north takes you from the arid desert to the lush tropics in the Top End.
The highway is named in honour of explorer John McDouall Stuart. In 1862, he became the first man to successfully cross Australia from south to north and make it back alive. Stuart’s journey remains one of the most incredible achievements in the history of exploration.
Considering he did it on foot without a permanent source of running water for 2415 kilometres between Port Augusta and the Katherine River in the far north. His expedition took nine months going north and another five months getting back to Adelaide. Approximately 150 years later, even driving along the paved road that roughly follows his route feels like an epic challenge and is one of Australia’s most remarkable roads.
Following the same route as Stuart Highway is the Old Ghan Train Route. On 25th November 1980, the Old Ghan train stopped running which marked the end of a significant chapter in South Australia's and the Northern Territory's railway history. Today, you can visit The Old Ghan Heritage Railway and Museum in Alice Springs. Or stop at special sights on The Old Ghan Railway Heritage Trail and soak up the history along the way.
This unique route was also used to establish the Telegraph line (providing a connection between the outback and the outside world). You can visit the Tennant Creek Telegraph Station in Tennant Creek, 500 kilometres north of Alice Springs. Situated along the Stuart Highway, this country town is famous for being one of the last gold rush sites in Australia, during the 1930s.
Today, Flying doctors even use some parts of the Stuart Highway as a runway if they have to land nearby for an emergency. Every day, the Royal Flying Doctor Service helps around 100 patients in Central Australia.
Today, the Stuart starts 305 kilometres north of Adelaide from the town of Port Augusta. From Adelaide, you can choose to take a detour through the stunning Flinders Ranges or travel along Port Wakefield Road through the fruitful vines of Clare Valley.
Pimba
Discover the first settlement along the Stuart Highway, Pimba. It was established as a worker's camp for the Transcontinental Railway in the early 20th century. Today, travellers onboard the Ghan or Indian Pacific can stop here upon request. One of the highlights is the scenic salt lake Island Lagoon, found 15 kilometres south of Pimba.
Travel along the route known as the Explorers Way
It is also the gateway to Woomera, Andamooka and Roxby Downs. On Borefield Road, you can travel all the way through the Oodnadatta Track from Roxby Downs on a well-maintained sealed road. Andamooka is renowned for its high-quality crystal seam opal, opalised fossils, and stargazing Approximately 50 kilometres past Pimba, keep an eye out for the famous Lake Hart lookout and admire one of South Australia’s salt lakes.
Approximately, 181 kilometres north of Port Augusta, and 7 kilometres from Pimaba is Woomera. Set up in 1947 as a military town, its vast swathes of land around it – including the stretch that the Stuart Highway passes through – are still used for weapons testing and space research by the Australian government and private companies.
Located 592 kilometres north of Adelaide, Glendambo is an important place along the Stuart Highway. It is the last place where you will find any more facilities if you are travelling the 255 kilometres further to Coober Pedy. With only 30 people living here, you can find a petrol station, caravan park, hotel, a restaurant, and a general grocery store.
Uncover an Australian town filled with quirkiness in the sun-baked outback of South Australia. Renowned for being the opal capital, it is estimated that 70% of the world’s opals come from Coober Pedy. With the majority of the town living underground, this unique place is a must-visit during your time on the Stuart Highway. Be sure to stop by the Umoona Opal Mine and learn more about this fascinating part of the world and the opals found here.
Approximately 150 kilometres north of Coober Pedy, you will find the Cadney Homestead Roadhouse. The gateway to the Painted Desert offers a great place to spend the night after a long day of driving.
Would you like to feel like a pioneer? Take a detour from the highway and conquer the Oodnadatta Track. Used for centuries by the Indigenous people of Australia, this is the original road John Stuart took and the route of the Old Ghan Railway. Although a 4WD is recommended, it’s one of the easiest outback tracks to drive, with solid gravel roads and a lot of things to see. You can enter the Oodnadatta Track from Marla, 235 kilometres north of Coober Pedy on the Stuart Highway.
Breakaways
The border crossing
Ghan
Standley Chasm
Uluru
Covering approximately 15,000 hectares of arid landscapes is the Kanku-Breakaways Conservation Park. Located approximately 25 kilometres north of Coober Pedy. The land is owned by Antakirinja Matu-Yankunytjatjara Aboriginal Corporation.
Ghan is a locality in the Northern Territory of Australia located about 1470 kilometres south of the territory capital of Darwin at the intersection of Lasseter Highway and Stuart Highway. Ghan offers the perfect base to spend the night, and revive.
Known as Angkerle Atwatye, meaning ‘Gap of Water’ by Indigenous Australians, Standley Chasm is a natural wonder set amongst the West MacDonnell Ranges.
Located halfway between Adelaide and Darwin, is the gateway to the Red Centre of Australia. Alice Springs is the biggest town on the route and is located approximately 450 kilometres from the iconic Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park. Discover red sand deserts, tropical rainforests, impressive rock formations, deep ravines, and waterfalls.
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Sign up for our newsletterKarlu Karlu - The Devils Marbles
Barkly Tablelands
Tjoritja/ West MacDonnell Ranges
Tennant Creek
Formed over millions of years, the Devils Marbles are a sacred site known as Karlu Karlu in the language of the traditional owners, the Warumungu people. Located 105 kilometres south of Tennant Creek and 393 kilometres north of Alice Springs. These gigantic boulders have become an internationally recognised symbol of Australia's outback and are best seen at sunrise and sunset.
Located 1234 kilometres south of Darwin and stretching 161 kilometres west of Alice Springs is the Tjoritja/ West MacDonnell Ranges. Here you can discover waterholes, mystical waterfalls, and thermal pools. Are you feeling active? Conquer the 223-kilometre Larapinta Trail.
The Barkly Tableland covers 283,648 square kilometres, stretching from the eastern part of the Northern Territory to western Queensland. Featuring a rolling plain of grassland and some of the best beef cattle grazing country in Australia. With the lowest population of any region in the Northern Territory, most people live in the main towns of Tennant Creek and Renner Springs.
Located approximately 1000 kilometres south of Darwin, and 500 kilometres north of Alice Springs is Tennant Creek. Here, you can visit the Tennant Creek Telegraph Station Historical Reserve. The traditional land owners of this area are the Aboriginal Warumungu people.
Elliot
Dunmarra Roadhouse
Daly Waters Pub
Birdum
Mataranka thermal pools
Katherine
Nitmiluk National Park
Approximately halfway between Darwin and Alice Springs on the Stuart Highway is the township of Elliot. Here, you can find a petrol station and accommodation for an overnight stay.
In the Northern Territory, the best Aussie tucker comes from the Daly Waters pub in the town of Daly Waters. Its take on surf and turf, a beef and barramundi barbecue, is almost as legendary as the pub itself. This classic Outback watering hole is covered in banknotes, T-shirts and underwear donated by travellers from all over the world.
Approximately 420 kilometres southeast of Darwin, is the tiny town of Mataranka. A great place for travellers to stop and revive with an assortment of things to do and see. Especially the sandy-bottomed, crystal clear thermal pool in Elsey National Park, which is a must-visit!
Katherine is located 320 kilometres, southeast of Darwin and lies on the banks of the Katherine River. The perfect blend of the outback and the tropics! Katherine Gorge can be found in the Nitmiluk National Park, a system of canyons that have been carved by the Katherine River over hundreds of years.
Litchfield
Kakadu
Adelaide River
Berry Springs
Darwin
Uncover the mystery of a water wonderland and outdoor playground, Litchfield. Located approximately 100 kilometres southwest of Darwin, this fascinating place covers 1500 square kilometres. Discover an ancient landscape and national park that has been shaped by water. A favourite hangout for the locals, here you can swim in natural swimming pools, trek through monsoon forests and learn more about the oldest culture on the planet.
Renowned for its rich concentration of wildlife, the Adelaide River crosses the Stuart Highway and the township of Adelaide River. The scenic village is located 114 kilometres south of the capital city of the Northern Territory. And is an ideal place to stop between Darwin and Katherine.
Just before you reach Darwin, be sure to stop at Berry Springs. Enjoy a picnic and take a refreshing swim in the Berry Springs Waterhole.
Take a detour off the Stuart Highway from Pine Creek and explore Australia’s largest national park. Covering an area of over 20,000 square kilometres, Kakadu National Park is on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Welcome to the gateway of the Top End of Australia. A vibrant and friendly place with many attractions and an abundance of natural wonders. Take a trip to Arnhemland, Tiwi Islands, Litchfield and of course Kakadu National Park is a must-visit.
Before you leave on this great adventure, you need to ensure that you fully prepare your car for the trip. Here is some information to help you get ready for a trip of a lifetime.
In case of a breakdown, always stay close to your car. It is easier to spot a car than a person. Your car also offers protection from the sun.
Be sure to have some basic knowledge about car mechanics such as changing a tyre, checking fuel and water, and controlling tyre pressure. There aren’t many car repair garages in the Outback.
Make sure you let someone know where you are and where you are heading in advance.
Four litres of drinking water per person per day.
Make sure you have enough water supply for at least three days.
Fill up your water at every possible opportunity.
Please also bring a sufficient amount of food. There are not many restaurants or shops in the Outback.
Carry your own petrol can when driving long distances. The petrol stations are spread apart by large distances, so make sure you plan ahead
Avoid driving at dusk or dawn, as this is when animals are their most active and can unexpectedly jump in front of your car - especially sheep, cows and kangaroos. Drive slowly, so you can react and see animals faster. If you happen to encounter an animal, reduce your speed and wait until the animal has gone.
Have you ever seen road trains? These massive trucks pull three or more trailers. They don’t move aside for you! This means if you come across one of these, give them some room! Take your time if you want to overtake them.
The road is long and you will have to drive for hours! Even though the scenery is stunning, it can feel like the same view for hundreds of kilometres. Make sure to stop regularly to avoid fatigue. Take a break, stretch your legs, enjoy a snack and switch drivers if possible.
The best time to plan your trip on the Stuart Highway is from May to September, in the Australian winter. During this period, it is dry and the temperatures are mild and enjoyable. You can take as long as you want to drive up or down the Stuart Highway, but we advise you to take at least two weeks, especially if you also want to explore Uluru.
At TravelEssence, we focus on small-scale accommodation hand-selected by us. Run by friendly hosts who love to share local tips you won't find in a travel guide. A unique spot to experience the hidden gems of Australia and meet the locals. This is the greatest way to discover Australia.
Your travel specialist will match you up with accommodation along the Stuart Highway route that suits your wants and needs. We have found the perfect places for you to have the absolute best Aussie road trip.
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