Plenty Highway is a remote outback road in Australia’s Northern Territory
Australia, oceania
494 km
N/A
hard
Year-round
Okay, picture this: the Plenty Highway, aka State Route 12, smack-dab in the Northern Territory's outback. This isn't just a road, it's an adventure!
Clocking in at 494 km (306 miles), it kicks off from the Stuart Highway, about 68 clicks north of Alice Springs, and winds its way to Tobermorey Homestead near the Queensland border, joining up with the legendary Outback Way. This road started as a humble cattle track, but now it's calling your name.
The first 100km are a smooth sealed dream, but after Ongeva Creek, you're in for a real outback experience with a well-maintained dirt road.
Word to the wise: do your homework before you hit the Plenty. Non-stop, it's a 16-20 hour commitment, but trust me, you'll want 2-3 days to soak it all in. Aim for May to October for the best weather (skip the scorching summer!). And heads up – when it rains, this road can become impassable.
Prepare to be alone out there. This highway cuts through some seriously remote country, so be ready for potential floods (especially to the east), extreme bull dust, and some massive potholes – definitely a dry-weather-only kind of trip. A 4x4 is a must, and caravans should probably sit this one out. Pack solid comms and navigation gear, and you're set to discover the real outback.
Where is it?
Plenty Highway is a remote outback road in Australia’s Northern Territory is located in Australia (oceania). Coordinates: -27.7056, 137.0191
Road Details
- Country
- Australia
- Continent
- oceania
- Length
- 494 km
- Difficulty
- hard
- Coordinates
- -27.7056, 137.0191
Related Roads in oceania
hardHow long is the Diamantina Developmental Road?
🇦🇺 Australia
Okay, buckle up road trippers, because the Diamantina Developmental Road in Queensland, Australia is calling your name! Clocking in at a hefty 1,344 km (835 miles), this epic route is one of the longest in Oz, slicing through the south-central part of the state all the way to the northwest. You'll cruise through charming towns like Quilpie, Windorah, Bedourie, Boulia, and Dajarra. Most of the journey is on sealed roads, suitable for all types of vehicles, but be prepared for some unsealed sections between towns. You’ll be following State Route 14, State Route 12, and National Route 83 on this adventure. Get ready to ford some iconic Aussie rivers! You'll cross the Paroo, Bulloo, Cooper Creek, and of course, the Diamantina River, all part of the unique Channel Country of southwest Queensland. Just be aware that river crossings can be dicey in extreme weather, so keep an eye on the forecast! Speaking of preparedness, this trip requires some serious planning. The weather can change dramatically along the way, so pack plenty of water and fuel. Watch out for roaming wildlife, and try to avoid driving at night. Heads up – mobile phone coverage can be spotty, so download those offline maps! Get ready for an unforgettable Outback experience.
moderateDesert Road is a rather remote drive of NZ
🇳🇿 New Zealand
Cruising through New Zealand's North Island? You HAVE to experience the Desert Road! This iconic stretch of State Highway 1 carves right through Rangipo's Desert. It's a smooth, paved ride, all 63 km (39 miles) of it, slicing across this unique alpine desert landscape. Think of it as a connecting line between the charming towns of Turangi (near the North Island Volcanic Plateau) and Waiouru, further south. The name? It's all about the raw, untamed location. Rangipo Desert (Te Onetapu) is a wild, almost otherworldly environment. The weather can be pretty intense, making the drive an adventure in itself! Built back in the 40s to boost tourism, this road is seriously remote. The landscape is barren and mostly uninhabited, so be prepared! The weather can flip in an instant, and the wind is relentless. It whips across the desert, blasting everything with icy gusts, especially in winter. The road peaks at a cool 1,078m (3,536ft) – supposedly the highest point on New Zealand's highway network! Expect closures in winter due to snow and ice. Those mountain winds? They’re brutal, like a frozen knife! Without stops, the drive takes about an hour to an hour and ten minutes, but trust me, you'll want to stop! This is an unforgettable road trip. Think mind-blowing scenery, epic landscapes, and incredible views of the Tongariro National Park's volcanoes. Oh, and did I mention? The Black Gate of Mordor from Lord of the Rings was filmed here!
extremeBilly Goat Bluff Trail is a steep track in the Victorian High Country
🇦🇺 Australia
Okay, buckle up, adventure junkies! If you're in Victoria, Australia, and your 4WD is itching for a challenge, Billy Goat Bluff Trail is calling your name. Deep in the heart of the Pinnacles State Forest, nestled within the Alpine National Park, this ain't your grandma's Sunday drive. Clocking in at 11.1 km (6.89 miles), this wild ride starts on Wonnangatta Road, by the Crooked River, and claws its way up to The Pinnacles fire lookout, perched at a dizzying 1,415m (4,642ft). That tower? Yep, it's manned during fire season. Forget smooth pavement; this is raw, unadulterated off-roading. We're talking steep inclines, rocky terrain, and cliff edges that'll make your palms sweat. This one's strictly for experienced 4WDers with low range and high clearance. Sections can get slick when wet, and passing other vehicles is a tight squeeze, so a radio is a must. Trust me, many have underestimated this track and regretted it! Give yourself 1 to 1.5 hours to conquer it – and take your time, the views from the top are unreal! The Pinnacles lookout gives you panoramic vistas of the whole rugged landscape. Heads up: this high-country gem closes for winter, usually between May and January, but the weather here is a wild card. Snow can fall anytime, so pack warm gear. And definitely skip it in bad weather or on high fire danger days. With gradients hitting a maximum of 27%, this climb is a beast. Over that 11.1 km stretch, you're gaining a whopping 1249 meters in elevation. Average gradient? A hefty 11.25%. Get ready for some seriously steep, rocky ramps!
easyThe Ultimate Guide to Traveling the Victoria Rocks Road
🇦🇺 Australia
Alright, adventure-seekers, listen up! If you're cruising through Western Australia and crave a taste of the outback, Victoria Rocks Road is calling your name. Picture this: you're east of Perth, smack-dab in the Great Western Woodlands, and you're about to embark on a 141km (87-mile) dirt road journey from the Hyden-Norseman Road all the way north to the cool tourist town of Coolgardie. Now, this isn't your average paved highway. We're talking unsealed, baby! The road peaks at a modest 490m (1,607ft), but don't let that fool you. This wide, well-maintained dirt track is generally suitable for all vehicles under 3.5 tonnes. Word to the wise: keep your wits about you. Rain can turn this beauty into a beast, so drive smart and stay aware of local conditions. But trust me, the scenery makes it all worthwhile!