The Ultimate Family Road Trip: The Stuart Highway
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
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This business received tourism grant funding from the Australian Government via Austrade.