Stuart Highway
Australia
Australia’s legendary north-south spine, the Stuart Highway runs from Adelaide’s fringe to Darwin through red desert, relentless highway horizons, and iconic outback stops. It links Alice Springs, Tennant Creek, and Katherine, delivering a practical road trip through the country’s most expansive inland landscapes.
Explore on the interactive map →Stops along the route
- Adelaide
South Australia's capital and the southern gateway to the Stuart Highway. Stock up here before the long run into the outback.
- Port Augusta
A windswept junction city where the highway truly turns north. It is a practical last stop for fuel, food, and supplies.
- Coober Pedy
An opal town carved into the desert, with dugout homes and moonlike streets. It feels like a frontier outpost in every direction.
- Alice Springs
The Red Centre's best-known hub, ringed by ochre ranges and desert light. It breaks up the drive with shops, galleries, and services.
- Tennant Creek
A small mining town in the heart of the Territory. It is a useful overnight stop between the big outback distances.
- Katherine
A warm northern town where river country begins to replace desert. It is the last major stop before the Top End.
- Darwin
The tropical finish on the Timor Sea, far from the dry interior you just crossed. Palm trees and waterfront sunsets mark the end of the haul.
Where to Eat
- The Highway InnAustralian pub meals
A classic road-stop pub on the edge of Adelaide for a final meal before heading north. Expect big portions and familiar comfort food.
- Blue Moon Cafecafe and breakfast
A popular Coober Pedy stop for coffee, breakfast, and a break from the desert heat. It is a handy refuel in the opal fields.
- Overlanders SteakhouseAustralian steakhouse
A long-running Alice Springs favorite for steaks and hearty outback dinners. It fits the route's big-road, big-appetite mood.
- Eldorado Motor Inn Cafecafe and motel dining
A simple Tennant Creek stop for sandwiches, coffee, and traveller meals. It is a practical pause in the middle of the highway stretch.
- Nitmiluk Cafecafe and regional meals
A scenic Katherine-area stop that works well before or after a gorge visit. The setting makes an easy lunch break on the way north.
Things to Do
- Umoona Opal Mine and Museummuseum
Go underground in Coober Pedy to see how locals beat the desert heat. The displays explain the town's opal rush history.
- The Australian Arid Lands Botanic Gardengarden
Explore native desert plants and wide harbor views in Port Augusta. It is a calm contrast to the highway's long empty stretches.
- Alice Springs Desert Parknature park
See desert wildlife, birds, and plant communities in one place. The cultural and landscape exhibits make the Red Centre easier to understand.
- Devils Marbles Conservation Reservenature
Walk among giant rounded granite boulders near Tennant Creek. The sunrise and sunset light makes the rocks glow red.
- Nitmiluk National Parknature
Take in Katherine Gorge by boat, canoe, or walking track. It is one of the route's best rewards after days of open road.
Travel advisory
This is a long remote outback drive: carry extra water, fuel, and a tire repair kit, and avoid night driving because kangaroos, cattle, and road trains are common. Phone coverage can be patchy for long stretches, so download maps and check road conditions before departure.