Three Ways

Three Ways is a remote roadhouse junction in Australia's Red Centre, where the Stuart and Barkly Highways meet. For travellers crossing the continent, it's a quintessential outback stop — a place to refuel, stretch your legs, and feel the immense silence of the desert. The name refers to the three directions you can go: north to Darwin, south to Alice Springs, or east to Queensland. There's no town, just a service station, a motel, and a caravan park, but the surrounding landscape of spinifex and red dirt is pure outback.

Highlights & What to See

• Roadhouse Experience: Soak up the authentic outback vibe at the Three Ways Roadhouse — grab a pie, chat with fellow travellers, and browse the small souvenir shop for a classic Aussie road trip memento.
• Stuart Highway: Drive a stretch of this iconic highway, which traces the path of explorer John McDouall Stuart. The endless horizons and shifting desert colours are mesmerising.
• Barkly Highway Lookout: Just east of Three Ways, a short stop offers panoramic views over the flat, scrubby plains — a great spot for a photo at sunrise or sunset.
• Devil's Marbles (Karlu Karlu): About 100 km north, these giant, rounded granite boulders are a sacred site for the Warumungu people. The eerie landscape is especially magical at dusk.
• Newcastle Waters: A historic droving settlement 70 km north, with a restored homestead and shearing shed that tell the story of outback pastoral life.

Suggested Time to Spend

Most travellers pass through Three Ways in just 15–30 minutes for fuel and a break. To truly appreciate the isolation, plan an overnight stop at the roadhouse motel or caravan park. This lets you watch a spectacular outback sunset, enjoy a cold beer at the bar, and wake to the dawn chorus of birds. If you're self-driving, factor in a full day to explore the Devil's Marbles and Newcastle Waters on a side trip north.

Nearby Areas Worth Combining

• Tennant Creek: 25 km north, this gold-mining town has a fascinating Battery Hill Mining Centre and the Nyinkka Nyunyu Aboriginal art centre.
• Alice Springs: 500 km south, the gateway to Uluru and the MacDonnell Ranges — a full day's drive but essential for the iconic outback experience.
• Barkly Tablelands: The vast, grassy plains east of Three Ways are prime cattle country; stop in at the Barkly Hotel in Camooweal for a true outback pub.
• Daly Waters Pub: 500 km north, this legendary pub is covered in memorabilia and a must-stop on the way to Darwin.

Please check official sources for current details.