The well traveled Stuart Highway in Australia is 2,834 km worth of vast and beautiful terrain which host many hundred’s of family road trips every year. The name of this highway stems from John McDouall Stuart who was the first man to cross Australia from South to North.

Originally completing this task with no running water sources in 1862, Stuart’s journey really is one of the great tales of exploration, which is why the highway was named after him! Following tradition, this road trip normally begins in the south – Adelaide, then onto Alice Springs, and finally to the top of the Northern Territory ending in Darwin.

Family road trips take a lot of planning and saving, but if done properly, the Stuart Highway family road trip really is the ultimate expedition.

Understanding the terrain from the South to the North is the best way to properly prepare for this family trip. It is important to remember this route goes directly through the outback, therefore the fuel stops only pop up every couple of hours along the way. So be prepared to perform regular stock takes to ensure you are left with plenty of food, drinks, and fuel for your journey.

Most people decide to take the trip between April and October, because the temperatures are much more bearable. Regardless the time of year, it is always important to make sure the car that is being driven is capable of withstanding such a demanding trek. The car should be both reliable, affordable on gas, and be comfortable to sit in during hot/cold weather. Even more, it is important to consider if the car is capable of housing a family comfortably for such a long trip! No mopeds…

Another great way to make this the ultimate family road trip is to make sure to map out the stops that are worth making along the way. This means it is important to do your research on the stops the family wants to make, the distances in between, and accommodation options.

Decide if the stop at Uluru, Kings Canyon, and/or Katherine Gorge are going to be on the list of stop overs, and plan accordingly for the time frame and budget of the trip. With so many amazing stops in the north, this route continues to be one of the best Northern Territory road trips families can take! Be sure to stay the night with us at Erldunda, and use us as your base for your Uluru experience!

One of the last ways to ensure a successful family road trip is to over-prepare what you pack in the car. For this trip specifically, make sure there is plenty of water, batteries for the camera, portable charging devices for electronic devices, emergency precautions, and anything else that may seem like an over indulgence for normal road excursions. Family road trips are one of the best ways to forge amazing memories and bonds, so most of all, enjoy it!

Photo Credits:
I Drive Safely
Go Abroad
Do it Yourself Tourguide

For those who are planning a visit to the Australian Outback which happens to fall during the time of the holidays, there is definitely a lot of potential to have an incredible trip with lots of adventure and memories packed into an extremely short period of time. However, for those who are planning to have their travel occur during the holidays, it is a good idea to keep a couple of tips in mind to ensure that the trip is as successful as possible!

Here are 6 trips for those planning outback travel in Australia during the holidays to give them the best chance of having a completely successful trip:

1. Plan an itinerary: It’s good to keep in mind how huge Australia is. There is so much to do and see while you are visiting the Outback, and you won’t be able to do it all unless you are planning a 6 month trip traveling around the country!!! So pick what sites and adventures are most important to you and plan accordingly so you can ensure that you have time for the things that matter most while you are on your vacation in the Aussie Outback.

2. Keep your maps with you: It can be easy to get lost while navigating the terrain of the Australian Outback in your vehicle, so it’s good to have your maps with you at all time and have the route clearly marked that you are intended to take in order to get to your destination safely.

3. Visit the snow white beaches for Christmas: If you’re going to the Australian Outback over the holidays, you’ll find that you’re in perfect beach whether, with the perfect opportunity to get a tan and go for a swim.

4. Don’t miss out on the culture, art and history: There is so much see of the culture, art and history that this ancient land has to offer to visitors.

5. Go on an outback driving holiday: There is so much to see in the Australian Outback for those who take to the roads, so it’s a good idea to rent a car and see all that the four wheel drive tracks, trails and roads have to offer to tourists.

6. Make memories: A trip to the Australian Outback, for many, is a once in a lifetime experience. Be sure to do everything that you can in the time that you have while you are there, and see all that you have time to see.

Photo Credits:
Australia
Hello Sunshine
Australian Native Art

When it comes to visiting the Northern Territory, Australia and seeing it all it has to offer, it can be a challenge as there is so many possible spots to see!

So when it comes to deciding what to do in the Northern Territory, it couldn’t be easier to find the most popular options for activities and attractions to take part in while you are there. However, what if you are looking for a site to see that isn’t going to be crowded with tourists and other people trying to get in on the excitement?

For those looking for the lesser known attraction sites that are worth a visit in the Northern Territory, here are 5 options which you might want to add to your itinerary:

1. Gunlom Falls: One attraction that is often unfortunately bypassed by travelers is called Gunlom Falls. Which is a beautiful and large waterfall measuring in at 30 meters tall. The swimming area below is gorgeous and, fortunately, crocodile-free! A crocodile free natural swimming area is quite rare in the Northern Territory, and not something travelers come across every day. This is definitely one of the lesser appreciated sites in the Northern Territory which is certainly worth a visit.

2. Binns Track: This is one of the Northern Territory’s routes for four-wheel driving, and it covers 2,191km as the road takes travelers through a number of the lesser known National Parks and nature reserves of the NT.

3. Arnhem Land Region: Owned by the indigenous locals, this land is a dream for nature lovers and those interested in the history of Australia. There are rocks on the land that feature the famous”X-Ray” paintings of the Aboriginals, which were painted more than 2,000 years ago. These can be found in the Arnhem Land’s western portion. Keep in mind that you’ll need to get a special permit ahead of time from the Northern Land Council to visit this area.

4. Brunette Downs Races: An event that has been going on for over a century! The Brunette Downs Races are held every year from June 18-21, and is a collection of horse races. The event is family friendly, and are a form of entertainment that even the kids will enjoy.

5. Katherine: Katherine is one of the less talked about towns in the Northern Territory that travellers hear about. With many attractions to offer with everything from museums, hiking, to visiting the Nitmiluk National Park’s gorges, this is definitely a worthwhile place to add to your itinerary.

All of these places are valuable additions to any itinerary for a trip to the Northern Territory of Australia. Some of the best places that Australia has to offer are the ones which are not widely discussed.

Photo Credits:
Australian Traveller
Our Naked Australia
Australian National University
Around You
Kakadu Tours and Travel