Fuel stops between Port Augusta and Alice Springs
On the Stuart Highway, fuel stops between Port Augusta and Alice Springs can be more than 200km apart. The best overnight stop on the road trip, however, is opal-mining town Coober Pedy.
The drive through the Australian outback from Port Augusta to Alice Springs is one of the country’s great tests of stamina. The stark, expansive desert scenery along the Stuart Highway is more interesting than many initially imagine, but there sure is a lot of it.
To fix up your Port Augusta accommodation at the cheapest rates, look over here.
Alice Springs offers hot air ballooning over the rugged outback, spectacular adventures in the West MacDonnell Ranges and quirky camel rides. For a bigger range of Alice Springs activities, step this way, and for Alice Springs accommodation, book here.
Seven essential Alice Springs activities to add to your trip.
- See imposing red rock cliffs and stunning swimming holes – on a West MacDonnell Ranges day trip.
- Glide across the changing morning colours of the outback – on a hot air balloon ride.
- See how education works across the outback – at the School of the Air.
- Take in the epic outback scenery – on a scenic flight.
- See the outback wildlife come to life – on a Desert Park nocturnal tour.
- Try camel rides through the red dirt landscape – and learn the weird history of Aussie camels.
- See stunning, often unvisited outback sites – on a Palm Valley 4wd tour.
Port Augusta to Alice Springs distance and driving time
By car, the distance from Port Augusta to Alice Springs is 1,226km. Without stopping, that makes for a driving time of 12 hours and 42 minutes through South Australia and the Northern Territory.
Obviously, you’re going to have to make fuel stops along the way. There aren’t many options for filling up with petrol along the Stuart Highway, so it’s best to know where the fuel stops between Port Augusta and Alice Springs are before setting off on the outback road trip.
Port Augusta accommodation picks
Port Augusta accommodation tends towards the functional. Few people stay here more than one night. Booking site Wotif lists options for from $89, if you’d like to check what’s available.
However, these Port Augusta accommodation choices are particularly worth looking at:
- For heritage and character: Pampas Motel.
- For green credentials: Crossroads Ecomotel.
- For overall quality: Majestic Oasis Apartments.
- For cheap rates and a pool: Discovery Parks – Port Augusta.
Port Augusta to Alice Springs fuel stops
The following Stuart Highway fuel stops are generally roadhouses, which also provide snacks, rudimentary accommodation and often dubious meals. The distances stated are by car from Port Augusta.
Spuds Roadhouse, Pimba: 174km
Glendambo Roadhouse: 287km
Coober Pedy: 540km. (There are several options for filling up with fuel in Coober Pedy, including the Coober Pedy Roadhouse and the Ampol station)
Cadney Homestead: 692km
Marla Travellers’ Rest: 772km
Kulgera, Northern Territory: 953km.
Erldunda Roadhouse: 1,026km
Stuarts Well Roadhouse and caravan park: 1,134km
Click through to the next section: Pimba to Glendambo.