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Refuelling in Central Australia

When you’re exploring the Northern Territory by car, it is important for your comfort and safety to know where your next fuel stop is located. The Territory is vast and with hundreds of kilometres in between destinations, it pays to know how much fuel you’ve got, how long you need it to last to get you to your next fill up location, and how much you need to budget for your trip.

To make your planning easier, we’ve compiled a list of all major refuelling stops throughout Central Australia. As fuel availability may vary across remote areas, travellers are encouraged to check with local Visitor Information Centres and FuelWatch before departure for the latest updates on fuel supplies, including any temporary restrictions or outages along the Stuart Highway.

You can also plan with confidence using a fuel cost calculator, available to anyone travelling in the NT thanks to our fantastic partners at Tourism and Events NT.

Keep an eye on fuel price & availability

Plan with Confidence. Calculate your fuel budget

Fuel Stops Along Major Red Centre Routes

Most visitors travelling through Central Australia rely on diesel-powered 4WDs, campervans and touring vehicles, with diesel available at the majority of roadhouses and fuel stops. Petrol vehicles are also well catered for, although many remote communities stock Opal fuel rather than standard unleaded petrol. While fuel is generally accessible along major touring routes, travellers should plan ahead due to the vast distances between service stations and the higher costs associated with remote locations.

Red Centre Way

Alice Springs → West MacDonnell Ranges → Kings Canyon → Uluru ⛽ 8 fuel stops 📍 Longest distance between fuel stops: 234 km 🚙 Diesel • Unleaded • Opal (selected locations)

Lasseter Highway

Erldunda → Curtin Springs → Yulara → Uluru ⛽ 4 Fuel Stops 📍 Longest stretch: 250 km 🚙 Diesel • Unleaded • Premium available

Stuart Highway

Adelaide → Coober Pedy → Alice Springs → Darwin ⛽ 10+ Fuel Stops 📍 Fuel available every 200-300 km 🚙 Diesel • Unleaded • Well serviced highway

Binns Track

Mount Dare → Alice Springs → East MacDonnell Ranges → Timber Creek ⛽ 10+ Fuel Stops ⚠ Longest distance between fuel stops: 300+ km 🚙 4WD only • Diesel • Unleaded • Plan ahead

Outback Way

Laverton → Alice Springs → Winton ⛽ Multiple Fuel Stops ⚠ Longest distance between fuel stops: 300+ km 🚙 Diesel • Unleaded • Remote travel planning recommended

Sandover Highway

Alice Springs → Arlparra → Alpurrurulam → Plenty Highway ⛽ 3 Fuel Stops ⚠ Longest distance between fuel stops: 340 km 🚙 Diesel • Unleaded • Check road conditions

Plenty Highway

Gemtree → Harts Range → Jervois → Tobermorey Homestead ⛽ 4 Fuel Stops ⚠ Longest stretch: 248 km 🚙 Diesel • Unleaded • Check road conditions

Barkly Highway

Threeways → Barkly Homestead → Queensland Border ⛽ 4 Fuel Stops (including QLD) 📍 Longest distance between fuel stops: 260 km 🚙 Diesel • Unleaded • Roadhouse fuel available

Tanami Road

Alice Springs → Tilmouth Well → Halls Creek ⛽ 6 Fuel Stops ⚠ Longest distance between fuel stops: 560 km 🚙 Diesel • Unleaded • Remote travel planning essential

Alice Springs

List of petrol stations in Alice Springs

Download a printable map

Travelling with Electric Vehicle (EV)

Central Australia features a developing network of EV chargers focused on the Stuart Highway and main tourist hubs, connecting Darwin, Tennant Creek, Alice Springs, and Uluru. However, significant outback distances mean drivers must rely on specific fast-charging corridors and destination locations.

Alice Springs

Outback EV: Located at 28 Railway Terrace. Features fast chargers supporting CCS2 and CHAdeMO standards.
DoubleTree by Hilton (Barrett Drive): Features multiple destination chargers (including Tesla) for patrons.
Crowne Plaza Alice Springs (Barrett Drive): Offers Tesla Destination Chargers.
Alice Springs Town Council: 93 Todd St.

Tennant Creek

NRMA Fast Charger: Located at the Three Ways Roadhouse (north of Tennant Creek).
Outback Caravan Park: Provides power outlets for backup or slower top-up charging.

Yulara (Uluru Region)

Yulara Town Centre / Hotels: Offers Tesla Destination and AEVA TOCA 22kW charging stations, typically complimentary for resort patrons.

Remote Roadhouses

Between major towns, some remote roadhouses (such as Barkly Homestead) may offer 10A standard plug outlets for emergency or cabin-guest charging, though these require extended charging times.

Because outback gaps between charging stations can exceed 400 km—particularly between Coober Pedy and Erldunda on the route up from South Australia—it is highly recommended to map out your exact route and check real-time charger statuses using the PlugShare Map before departing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. With fuel supply pressures and long distances between petrol stops, planning ahead is essential when travelling throughout Central Australia.

Some of the stations on Stuart Highway have petrol available 24/7, but majority have set opening hours so check ahead where possible. Most stations are roadhouses, and so camping overnight until the station opens is possible. Very few stations are self-service.

Unleaded (91) and diesel are the most accessible. Premium fuels (95/98) and LPG are less common and mainly available in larger towns. Please refer to https://myfuelnt.nt.gov.au for more detailed information on regional petrol availability.

With current petrol supply instability, stations may have limited availability or temporary outages, so it’s important to stay informed. You can do so by contacting local Visitor Information Centres, checking fuel watch apps or simply phoning the service station ahead to check fuel supply, restrictions or outages.

Caltex Larapinta, 26 Diarama Close
BP, 73 Gap Road
Shell Coles Express, 6 Larapinta Drive
Or the caravan park you are staying at.

One-way car rental is available between major locations including Yulara, Alice Springs, and Darwin with Thrifty and Hertz. If you book through this website, you can save on total cost with unlimited kilometres.