Stuart Highway -
 Adelaide to Alice Springs

A journey to the red centre of Australia


Once known as "The Track", the Stuart Highway was named after explorer John McDouall Stuart who discovered a route through Australia's inland on several excursions in the 1850s and 1860s.

The modern track doesn't follow Stuart's original route in it's southern parts. Stuart surveyed the region west of Lake Eyre on his second and third excursion which became later the route for the Overland Telegraph, the Old Ghan railway line, and finally known as the Oodnadatta Track.

The rugged mole hills around Coober Pedy and a road sign on the Stuart HighwayJunction to Coober Pedy on the Stuart Highway


Today the Stuart Highway begins in Port Augusta, 305 km north of Adelaide. The total distance to Darwin is 2711 km. This is a very long drive through the different climate zones of Australia.

The tourist route marketed as the Explorer's Way describes the entire journey from Adelaide to Darwin (3016 km).
Travellers have various choices to drive from Adelaide to Port Augusta, along Port Wakefield Road, through Clare Valley (my favourite route), even doing a detour through the lovely Flinders Ranges.

Whichever route you choose, the Explorers Way takes you from the southern farmlands through the central deserts to the tropical north and its magnificent wetlands. Along the way, explore Coober Pedy, the opal capital of Australia.

It is a journey of contrasts and natural beauty. Enjoy one of the best long distance drives in the world.
Let me take you on an epic journey to Australia's red centre, the first section of the famous Stuart Highway.

Stuart Highway - A quick overview

Important - please read!

When you plan a trip along the Stuart Highway, please be aware that the road crosses the Woomera Prohibited Area. There are different access zones and occasional road closures, click here to see the zones.

The Department of Defence announces closures on their website. They also offer links to more information.
Even the green zone will be affected from closures from time to time. Closures will occur between September 8th and October 5th 2019.

This is the summary of the entire route from Adelaide to Alice Springs.

Click on a link below for a quick jump to the entry on this page, with info about accommodation and places of interest in this area. Fuel is available at all roadhouses & towns on the list.

Distances shown are from one place to the next, e.g. Glendambo - 113 km means Glendambo is 113 km from Pimba and 252 km lie ahead of you to reach Coober Pedy.

South Australia

Northern Territory

Welcome to South Australia sign on the Stuart HighwayAt the Northern Territory / South Australia border

Port Wakefield Road - Adelaide to Port Augusta - 305 km

Port Wakefield Road is the quickest route from Adelaide to Port Augusta as it bypasses all the small country towns.

If you have a little extra time at hand, you can also use the Main North Road which is more scenic, and invites you to explore picturesque Clare and wineries in the Clare Valley, Gladstone, Melrose and Wilmington. You can even make a detour to the Flinders Ranges before you go on the long track northwards.
Although this is not the real Australian Outback, South Australia's Mid North region is a beautiful rural area with charming country towns. It's an area worth to stay a couple of days.

Port Augusta - Gateway to the Outback

Port Augusta - population ~15,250 is on the edge of the South Australian Outback. It's here where the Stuart Highway begins its long journey up to Alice Springs and further north to Darwin, right across the red centre.
Port Augusta offers all major services, shopping facilities and accommodation. Click here to read more about the city on top of Spencer Gulf.

Eyre highway is another major Outback route that starts in Port Augusta, leading across the Nullarbor plain into Western Australia.
But we're heading north now.

Port Augusta to Coober Pedy - 536 km

As you leave Port Augusta, enjoy the panorama of the Flinders Ranges to the east. It won't take long until the country becomes fairly flat with shimmering salt lakes on the horizon, or sometimes, close to the road.

Pimba - population ~35

Pimba is a small settlement on the junction to Woomera, Roxby Downs and Andamooka.
Established as a worker's camp for the Transcontinental Railway in the early 20th century, both the Indian Pacific and the Ghan stop on request in Pimba.

Facilities: The late Spud Murphy started Spud's Roadhouse in 1969. The roadhouse offers Outback atmosphere, fuel, take-away food, drinks and dinner daily. Accommodation (hotel, caravan park and backpackers) is available at Woomera which is only 7 km away.

Detours from Pimba: Leave the Stuart Highway at Pimba and explore Andamooka, an unique opal mining town, about 110 km east of the highway. While you are there, don't miss to stop by at the Andamooka Yacht Club, the new tourism hub & cafe.
On the way you'll pass by Woomera and Roxby Downs.
From Roxby Downs, the Borefield road connects with the famous Oodnadatta Track. You can drive a section on the track, and return to the highway at Coober Pedy or Marla.
These detours can be done with a sturdy car in dry conditions.

An Outback road house in the evening sunGlendambo Pub


Back on the Stuart Highway, don't miss the Lake Hart lookout and rest area about 50 km past Pimba. Lake Hart is one of these glistening salt lakes South Australia is famous for.


Glendambo - population ~30

Glendambo came into existence when the main highway was realigned in 1982 which left Kingoonya 44 km off the main road.

Facilities: Hotel/motel with bar & bottle-shop, 60 air-conditioned motel units. Camping facilities, powered sites, bunkhouse. There is a BBQ area, and a laundry for guests.
The licensed Woolshed restaurant offers tasty food, it is a place I can recommend, we had a fantastic dinner there.
There is also a fuel station and general store.

Detours from Glendambo: A fairly good unsealed road leads to Kingoonya, 44 km west of Glendambo. Once a thriving railway town, Kingoonya became nearly a ghost town when the highway was relocated.
From Kingoonya a track goes south to the Mount Ive Station. It is a lonely but interesting drive, and a great shortcut if you come from the north and want to go to the Gawler Ranges or the Eyre Highway.

Back to the Stuart Highway, from Glendambo to Coober Pedy you'll face the longest stretch without any facilities, 265 km. Don't forget to refuel before your leave.
Although the road is a bit boring, we enjoyed seeing lots of wedge-tailed eagles along the route.

A person on a motor bike is leading a flock of sheep across a roadSheep crossing Kingoonya road


Coober Pedy - population ~3,500

It is worth to stop for a night and explore Australia's opal capital.

Facilities: Coober Pedy has a wide range of accommodation, both underground and above ground. Shopping facilities include a supermarket, opal shops, cafes and restaurants. Click here to read my article about Coober Pedy.

Detours from Coober Pedy: The Breakaways north of Coober Pedy are a beautiful area of arid hills and mesas. Follow the highway 20 km north of town. A lookout is 10 km off the highway, accessible by conventional cars.

If you have enough of the bitumen, you can escape to the Oodnadatta Track from Coober Pedy also. There's a road to William Creek, and another dirt road to Oodnadatta, crossing the desolate moon plain.

Sign on the highway - it is a long way to AdelaideFlowers on the roadside - travelling Stuart Highway

Coober Pedy to Northern Territory border - 397 km

The Stuart Highway continues through flat landscapes with little vegetation. Every now and then you'll see low ranges on the horizon.

Cadney Homestead - population ~16

Cadney Homestead is a small roadhouse with typical Outback flair. Walk around the complex, see the Central Australia Railway line, breathe pur Outback air.

Facilities: 6 modern motel rooms, budget cabins, caravan and camping facilities. The roadhouse has all types of fuel and offers puncture repairs. A small general store has basic groceries. Enjoy a hearty meal in the fully licensed restaurant, or drop in for a drink at the happy hour.

Detours from Cadney: A day-tour to the painted desert, also known as Arckaringa Hills, is very worthwhile. Stay until late afternoon for the best views. The colours of the hills are marvellous then.
You can also reach the Oodnadatta Track from Cadney via the painted desert.

A railway line that disappears into the far horizonThe new Ghan railway line near Cadney Park


Marla - population ~243

Marla is a small town with a huge roadhouse, Marla Travellers Rest, right on the junction of Stuart Hwy and the Oodnadatta Track. It is usually a busy place, especially with trucks. A good place if you want to take a photo of the famous Australian road-trains.

Facilities: Motel and camping facilities, drive-thru caravan sites. The complex has a restaurant, take-away food, post office and banking facilities, fuel and repair services, and a supermarket.

Detours from Marla: Mintabie is a small opal town about 40 km west of Marla. The township is on Aboriginal lands, so you need a permit from the police station at Marla if you want to visit.

As you travel further north on the Stuart Highway, you'll notice a change of colour in the landscape. Yes, you're approaching the beautiful red centre!

SA / NT border to Alice Springs - 284 km

There is not much to see on the border, apart from a small "Welcome to the Northern Territory" sign. If you're driving southwards from Alice Springs or Yulara, the South Australian welcome sign is by far bigger.

However, I think crossing the border is a reason to get off your car and stretch your legs. :) There are tables, water, toilets and an info bay.

Kulgera - population ~20

Kulgera is a small town only 19 km north of the border. The roadhouse is the most visible feature in town. The pub at the roadhouse is the centre most pub in Australia. That's a reason to stop for a drink, isn't it?

Facilities: Motel accommodation, camping, restaurant, fuel, small shop, public toilets, rest area.

Detours from Kulgera: If you have a 4WD you can drive to Finke/Apatula, 148 km east of Kulgera, and then continue on the track along the old Ghan railway line north to Alice Springs.

On this route you'll also have access to Chambers Pillar, one of the well-known landmarks in the Northern Territory. John McDouall Stuart was the first European who saw this landmark in 1860.

Sign at the roadhouse in ErldundaErldunda Roadhouse at the junction of Stuart & Lasseter Highway


Erldunda - population ~50

Erldunda is a great spot to stay for a night. Situated on the corner of Stuart Highway & Lasseter Highway, it is a great place to relax from your long trip.

Facilities: 47 motel rooms, backpacker accommodation, swimming pool, dining room, shop and fuel.
The camping and caravan area has trees for shade, and a BBQ area. I enjoyed the bird life during the day, but not the quarrel a few Galahs had in the tree next to our camp at 1 am. But then, this is nature!
I camped twice at Erldunda, and I have font memories of a great place surrounded by beautiful desert landscapes.

Detours in the area: Erldunda is the place where you have to make decisions! Continuing on the Stuart Highway, you'll reach Alice Springs in two hours / 200 km.

The alternative? Turn west and follow the Lasseter Highway to Yulara, the village on the edge of Uluru / Kata Tjuta National Park.


Stuarts Well

Although you have nearly reached Alice Springs now, it is worth to stop at the Stuarts Well Roadhouse to enjoy some real Australian Outback atmosphere.
Also known as "Jim's place" to the locals, Jim Coterill has many stories to tell. Don't miss Dinky, the singing dingo, although his performance might sound a bit strange for your ears. :)

Facilities: Wide range of budget accommodation, from cabins to bunkhouse and caravan/camping facilities.

Beautiful red cliffs with a blue skyColourful rocks at Rainbow Valley


Detours from Stuarts Well
: 14 km north of Stuarts Well leads a dirt road to the Rainbow Valley Conservation Reserve. The 24 km track can be managed with a conventional car in dry weather.
The main attraction are stunning red sandstone cliffs with rainbow-like bands of coloured rocks. The rocks are especially attractive in the early morning and late afternoon light. But even at noon it is worth to do the detour.

Alice Springs - population ~27,500

Finally, after a long drive along the Stuart Highway, you'll arrive in the largest town of central Australia.

Alice Springs, the Alice, or just Alice, these are the common names for the city in the heart of central Australia.

Alice Springs offers heaps of attractions to its visitors, too many to list them all in this place. So here are just a few of my favourites:

  • Alice Springs Desert Park - presents the plants, animals and landscapes of Australia's deserts. A must see place.
  • The Old Telegraph Station - where white settlement began
  • Anzac Hill - lookout over Alice & the surrounding MacDonnell Ranges
  • Adelaide House - designed by Rev. John Flynn, it was opened as a hospital in 1926
  • Royal Flying Doctor Service - visit the institution which changed the life for Outback folks to the better
  • Alice Springs general cemetery is well worth a visit. It is valued as the last resting place of many individuals who played an important role in the Northern Territory. Albert Namatjira, one of Australia's great artists and Aboriginal painter, is one of them.
View of Alice Springs to towards the MacDonnell RangesAlice Springs - view from Anzac Hill


Historical places fascinate me a lot, you'll find plenty of them in Alice. Stroll along Todd Mall, explore the first hospital (Adelaide House). Of course, there are also plenty of shops and galleries with Aboriginal art.

Facilities: In a town of Alice Springs' size you won't miss anything! Choose from wide range of accommodation.

The Heavitree Gap Outback Resort is a great place that offers motel rooms, cabins and a caravan park. It is at the entrance of Alice Springs, nestled at the base of the MacDonnell Ranges. Their biggest attraction is that visitors can feed wild wallabies on the foot of the rocks right behind the resort.

Explore the Outback along the Stuart Highway


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