Driving The Stuart Highway – Explorers Way Itinerary
May 19th, 2010 · 3 Comments · Holiday Itinerary
Driving the Stuart Highway from Port Augusta SA to Darwin NT is about 2740 kilometres, which is travelling north/south through Central Australia – Alice Springs. This drive is an exciting one there is so much to see including Outback SA – Coober Pedy, Central Australia – Alice Springs, Top End – Mataranka, Katherine and Darwin.
Driving the Stuart Highway can be done is 3 ways – express, scenic or extremely scenic.
The Express itinerary could be done in 5 days travelling about an average 550 kilometres per day, this would usually be done if you are in a hurry or you have travelled this highway many times.
Use this Street Directory Map to follow the itineraries for a guide.
This itinerary example starts from the south leaving from Port Augusta SA
- Port Augusta to Coober Pedy 542 kilometres
- Coober Pedy to Alice Springs 690 kilometres
- Alice Springs to Tennant Creek 531 kilometres
- Tennant Creek to Mataranka 547 kilometres
- Mataranka to Darwin 422 kilometres
The Scenic itinerary takes about 2 – 3 weeks
- Day 1 – Starting at Port Augusta SA to Coober Pedy SA
- Day 3 – Coober Pedy to Ayers Rock Resort or other Accommodation – Visit Uluru -Ayers Rock and the Olgas
- Day 5 – Drive to Alice Springs stay for 3 days and visit area
- Day 8 – Alice Springs to Tennant Creek – Visit Devils Marble (has camp ground) Explore Tennant Creek
- Day 10 – Tennant Creek to Mataranka – Visit Daly Waters Pub (has campground)
- Day 11 – Mataranka to Katherine
- Day 13 – Katherine to Darwin
- Day 14 – Visit Darwin, Kakadu N.P., Litchfield N.P. and many other attractions around the area – you can easily stay a week to a month.
The Extreme Scenic Itinerary could take 2 months or more.
- Starting at Port Augusta you can visit Woomera, Flinders Ranges and Lake Eyre and then return to the Stuart Highway
- Then travel to Coober Pedy and stay for several days exploring this very unique opal mining town
- From Coober Pedy travel north to Ayers Rock Resort or another accommodation like Curtain Springs. There is plenty to in this area, visit Uluru, the Olgas etc- if you have a 4WD vehicle you can drive to Alice Springs via the Mereenie Loop and stay at Kings Canyon and Palm Valley. Tours are available if you don’t have a 4WD.
- Alice Springs has many attractions & experiences to enjoy, you can drive to Ormiston Gorge, Glen Helen Gorge and other natural attractions. You can easily spend several weeks in the area.
- Leave Alice Springs and head north to Devils Marbles and Tennant Creek and stay a night or 2
- Leave Tennant Creek and drive to Daly Waters Pub, stay in the campground or basic accommodation. Enjoy this unique pub, beefnreef meal is available everynight.
- From Daly Waters drive to Mataranka and enjoy the thermal springs and the Barra Jumping show and more. Stay 2 or 3 nights
- Drive to Katherine, explore and cruise Katherine Gorge, stay 2 or 3 days
- North of Katherine there is an amazing amount of activities to and places to see. Just a few of them is Berry Springs, Howard Springs, Litchfield National Park, Darwin, Adelaide River, Kakadu National Park. This Top End area could easily keep you busy for a month.
The Stuart Highway or Explorers Way is an exciting drive with plenty to see & do, although there is some long drives with not a lot see in some areas in the Outback. The amazing things you do see well and truly makes up for it. These itineraries are only examples, please check ahead for your accommodation prior to leaving or along the way.
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Travel with us on our exciting family adventure travel holiday driving on the Stuart Highway Australia.
http://www.travel-australia-planning-guide.com/family-adventure-travel.html
Tags: adventure holiday·australia adventure·itinerary·planning holiday·south australia·stuart highway·Travel Australia
Excellent itinerary! I definitely think the express way is pushing it, though…
Thanks Brooke, yes it probably is for most drivers, 2 or 3 weeks is the probably the most popular option.
Love the sound of that longer itinerary. The longer it takes, the more of this wonderful country you get to see.