Road Photos & Information: South Australia
Stuart Highway (National Highway 87) (Decommissioned)
Statistics:
- Length:
- 929 km
- Termini:
- Northern: NT-SA Border, Ayers Range South
- Southern: Eyre Highway (NH1), Port Augusta West
- Miscellaneous:
- Continues as NH87 in Northern Territory
- Suburbs, Towns & Localities Along Route:
- Port Augusta West, Carriewerloo, Kootaberra, Oakden Hills, Arcoona, Pimba, Wirraminna, Glendambo, Bon Bon, Wilgena, Mount Eba, Bulgunnia, Ingomar, Coober Pedy, Mount Willoughby, Wintinna, Marla, Welbourn Hill, De Rose Hill and Ayers Range South
Route Numbering:
- Current: A87
- Former: 87
General Information:
The Stuart Highway is named after explorer John McDouall Stuart, the first European to cross Australia from South to North, and it generally follows his route. 2
It is a rural highway, which is very isolated, and acts as part of the main road link between Darwin, Alice Springs and Adelaide.
History:
- 1944: Completion of the Stuart Highway as a dirt track / gravel road as the main road link from SA to Darwin. 3
- 1978: Work to upgrade the Stuart Highway started. The conditions along the series of tracks that led from Port Augusta to the Northern Territory border were so severe that work could only done between April and October each year. Survey work took five years. Conditions for the road gangs were of concern and small towns sprang up which enabled families to live together. Aboriginal advisers were consulted on where the road could cross their lands. During construction of the Stuart Highway, road gangs had semi-permanent camps at Lake Hart, Baker's Well and Bon Bon. While the road-work moved along the highway, survey work and the search for materials and water for construction was also in progress. 4
- 1981: Stuart Highway west of Pimba realigned to bypass Kingoonya. 5
- 24 March 1987: Federal Minister for Transport Peter Morris opened the upgraded Stuart Highway. Three plaques were unveiled on a rock to commemorate the completion of the Highway. 3
- 1998: National Highway 87 replaced by National Highway A87.
Port Augusta to NT Border
Reassurance Directional Sign:
Distance sign at Port Augusta West, December 2003.
Image © Michael Greenslade
Advance Directional Sign:
AD sign with at Glendambo, approaching Tarcoola Rd, November 2016.
Image © Paul Rands
Reassurance Directional Sign:
Distance sign at Glendambo, November 2016.
Image © Paul Rands
Reassurance Directional Sign:
RD sign as you leave Coober Pedy, August 2008.
Image © Kate Pilling
Advance Directional Sign:
Advance directional sign for the Oodnadatta Track intersection at Marla, August 2008.
Image © Kate Pilling
NT Border to Port Augusta
Advance Directional Sign:
Advance directional sign for the Oodnadatta Track intersection at Marla, September 2008.
Image © Kate Pilling
Intersection Directional Sign:
Signage facing roadhouse traffic on the Oodnadatta Track in Marla, near the Stuart Highway, September 2008.
Image © Kate Pilling
Intersection Directional Sign:
Signage facing traffic on the Oodnadatta Track in Marla, September 2008.
Image © Kate Pilling
Reassurance Directional Sign:
Southbound RD sign as you leave Marla, September 2008.
Image © Kate Pilling
Intersection Directional Sign:
ID sign with faded remnant NH87 shields, facing Flat Hill Rd, Coober Pedy, July 2019.
Image © Ben Winkler
Intersection Directional Sign:
ID sign with faded remnant NH87 shields, facing Hutchison St, Coober Pedy, November 2016.
Image © Paul Rands
3 SA Government.
4 SA Government, History Trust of South Australia.
5 SA Government, Outback Communities Authority, Glendambo.