
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
moderateTravel guide to the top of Porters Pass in New Zealand
🇳🇿 New Zealand
Okay, so picture this: you're cruising along State Highway 73, also known as the Great Alpine Highway, right in the heart of New Zealand's South Island. You're climbing up to Porters Pass, which tops out at a cool 948 meters (that's about 3,110 feet!). This beauty is smack-dab in the Canterbury region, specifically in the Torlesse Tussocklands Park, named after a couple of farming brothers back in '58. The road stretches for about 32.4 kilometers (or a little over 20 miles) between the alpine village of Castle Hill and the small town of Springfield. The whole route is paved, so no need to worry about bumpy dirt tracks. You can usually drive it year-round, but keep an eye on the forecast in winter – it can get a bit dicey and close temporarily if the weather turns nasty. But trust me, the views are totally worth it. You'll be treated to incredible vistas of the Canterbury Plains spread out below. Get ready for some serious photo ops!
moderate11 Useful Hacks for Motorhome Rentals in NZ
🇳🇿 New Zealand
Okay, picture this: you're cruising along the Bealey Bridge, a super important link that gets you across the mighty Waimakariri River in New Zealand. This isn't just any bridge, it's your gateway to adventure!
hardWhere is Baldwin Street?
🇳🇿 New Zealand
Okay, so you HAVE to check out Baldwin Street in Dunedin, New Zealand! This isn't just any street; it's legendary—seriously, it's often called the steepest *residential* street on the planet, clocking in with a crazy gradient of 35 percent! You'll find it nestled in North East Valley, just a hop, skip, and a jump from Dunedin's city center, near the harbor. The street is named after William Baldwin, a local newspaper founder and council member back in the day. This straight shot runs for about 350 meters (just over 1,100 feet) from North Road to Buchanan Street, and it's completely paved. Fun fact: the steepest part is concrete, not asphalt, because that angle is so intense the asphalt would MELT on a hot day and slide downhill! Baldwin Street was officially crowned the world's steepest residential street back in 1987. There was a brief period where it lost the title but, don't worry, Guinness World Records gave it back in 2020! A quick walk up will only take about ten minutes. What's the slope like? Think 1:2.86 – for every 2.86 meters you walk forward, you go up a full meter. It's a serious workout. No wonder this place is a magnet for tourists and thrill-seekers wanting to conquer its crazy slope!
moderateDorat Road: A Memorable Road Trip
🇦🇺 Australia
Dorat Road, also known as State Route 23, is a very scenic, single-lane, sealed road located in the Northern Territory of Australia. The name "Dorat" is an acronym created during World War II (1942) for the Darwin Overland Road Authorities Transport. This collaborative body was established by state transport authorities from Victoria, South Australia, and New South Wales. Its purpose was essential: to organize the movement of materials required for the construction of the Stuart Highway, transporting supplies north from the railhead at Alice Springs toward Darwin. It was built during World War II. In the 1960s, most bridges and floodways were resurfaced, and the entire length is currently sealed. The road is 65 km (40 mi) long and runs north-south, beginning at the Stuart Highway near the town of Adelaide River and then looping back to rejoin the Stuart Highway near the Long Airfield Airstrip. It comprises many narrow sections. No vehicles over 19 meters in length are permitted on this road. While originally part of the strategic Stuart Highway, the Dorat Road's many steep climbs and tight curves led to it being bypassed by the modern Stuart Highway. Today, it is primarily designated as a scenic and historic tourist drive (State Route 23). It is undulating, sealed, and narrow, contrasting sharply with the modern, high-speed main route. The road is fully sealed, but its narrow, undulating, and winding nature is a constant reminder of its historical use as a World War II access road. Drivers should be prepared for tight curves and varying grades. While it is a single-lane sealed road, it is generally well-maintained. The drive is definitely worth it and features scenic views. It provides access to tourist attractions including Robin Falls and Douglas-Daly Hot Springs, and several World War II heritage locations. Embark on a journey like never before! Navigate through our interactive map to discover the most spectacular roads of the world Drive Us to Your Road! With over 13,000 roads cataloged, we're always on the lookout for unique routes. Know of a road that deserves to be featured? Click here to share your suggestion, and we may add it to dangerousroads.org.