# Stuart Highway

> The Stuart Highway is the sealed backbone of the Northern Territory, crossing it from tropical Darwin to the red desert at Alice Springs along the line of the

Source: https://camping-spirit.com/destinations/au-stuart-highway/

The Stuart Highway is the sealed backbone of the Northern Territory, crossing it from tropical Darwin to the red desert at Alice Springs along the line of the old Overland Telegraph.

- **Road:** A87
- **Length:** About 1,500 km from Darwin to Alice Springs (2,834 km to Port Augusta)
- **Suggested time:** 4 to 7 days
- **Best season:** May to September
- **Speed limit:** Up to 130 km/h on signed open sections

## Before you go

- Roadhouses can be up to 250 km apart in the south, so fill up at every chance and carry spare water.
- Avoid driving at dawn, dusk and night, when kangaroos and cattle are on the road, and give way to road trains up to 53.5 m long.
- The wet season, November to April, can flood sections around Katherine and cut the road for days; dry-season travel is much more reliable.

## The route in stages

From Darwin, the road passes Adelaide River and Pine Creek to Katherine, about 320 km. Mataranka and Daly Waters follow, then the long Barkly stretch to Tennant Creek. South of the Devils Marbles it continues about 400 km to Alice Springs, around 1,500 km in all from Darwin.

## Outback stops worth making

Warm thermal pools at Mataranka, the pub at Daly Waters, the junction memorial at Three Ways and the granite boulders of Karlu Karlu are all roadside. Aboriginal land lies on both sides in places, so stay on the road corridor and observe signs.

## FAQs

**How long does it take to drive Darwin to Alice Springs?**
About 1,500 km, roughly 16 to 17 hours of pure driving. Most travellers take four to seven days, using Katherine, Mataranka, Daly Waters or Tennant Creek as overnight stops.

**Is the Stuart Highway safe to drive in a campervan?**
Yes, it is fully sealed and busy with caravans in the dry season. Plan fuel and water, avoid night driving and pull well off the road for road trains rather than stopping on the edge.

## Places to see

- [Nitmiluk (Katherine) Gorge](https://camping-spirit.com/places/au-nitmiluk-gorge/)
- [Daly Waters Historic Pub](https://camping-spirit.com/places/au-daly-waters-pub/)
- [Karlu Karlu / Devils Marbles](https://camping-spirit.com/places/au-devils-marbles/)
- [Katherine Hot Springs](https://camping-spirit.com/places/au-katherine-hot-springs/)
- [Edith Falls (Leliyn)](https://camping-spirit.com/places/au-edith-falls/)
- [Cutta Cutta Caves Nature Park](https://camping-spirit.com/places/au-cutta-cutta-caves/)
- [Mataranka Thermal Pool](https://camping-spirit.com/places/au-mataranka-thermal-pool/)
- [Bitter Springs](https://camping-spirit.com/places/au-bitter-springs/)