Adelaide to Darwin on the Stuart Highway

The Stuart Highway runs from Port Augusta to Darwin, 2,720 km on its own, with Adelaide to Port Augusta adding about 300 km. It crosses desert, passes Coober Pedy's opal fields and Alice Springs, then climbs into the tropical Top End. Speed limits are high and distances huge, so plan fuel and rest carefully.

The stops

1. Start

   Adelaide

2. Town

   Port Augusta

   Gateway to the outback

3. Town

   Coober Pedy

   Opal mining town with underground homes

4. Landmark

   Erldunda

   Junction for Uluru

5. Town

   Alice Springs

   Central Australia's hub

6. Landmark

   Devils Marbles

   Granite boulders at Karlu Karlu

7. Town

   Tennant Creek

   Mid-way services

8. Town · Overnight

   Katherine

   Katherine Gorge and hot springs

9. City

   Darwin

   End of the road

10. Finish

    Darwin

Where to stay

• Night 1

  Coober Pedy

  Underground hotels and camping

• Night 2

  Alice Springs

  Caravan parks and hostels

• Night 3

  Tennant Creek

  Roadhouses and caravan parks

• Night 4

  Katherine

  Caravan parks near the gorge

When to go

May to Sep (dry and cooler); the wet season brings storms and flooding in the Top End

On the road

Sealed; speed limits up to 130 km/h in the NT; the road crosses the Woomera Prohibited Area, so do not leave the road. Road trains common.