The Agnes Creek Rest Area is a roadside stop located on the Stuart Highway about 82 kilometres north of Marla and 65 kilometres from the Northern Territory border.

As the sun dips low on the horizon, casting long shadows across the arid landscape, the Agnes Creek Rest Area appears like an oasis for weary travellers on the Stuart Highway offering a welcome respite after hours behind the wheel.

The gravel parking area, stones scattered by countless tires, crunches underfoot as you step out of the car and stretch weary muscles. A few scattered picnic tables and benches sheltering from the harsh Outback elements, provide a spot to sit and shake off the road fatigue. The air is filled with the earthy scent of red dust and hardy scrub vegetation.

A basic toilet block stands nearby, its utilitarian structure a stark contrast to the vast emptiness surrounding it. There are scattered rubbish bins and room for a warming fire if you brought you own firewood. As night falls, the area becomes a temporary community of road-trippers and long-haul truckers, exchanging nods of acknowledgment as they go about their evening routines.

There is plenty of room to get right back from the road and the evening  silence is punctuated only by the occasional rumble of passing road trains and the gentle rustle of wind through the sparse trees. As you settle in for the night, whether in a swag under the stars or the confines of your vehicle, the Agnes Creek Rest Area offers a moment of pause in the long journey through Australia’s interior.

Be aware that travelling the highway between dusk and dawn is not recommended if you are in anything less than a big rig. The risk from kangaroos and more likely, livestock who are active at this time, pose a significant hazard on the roads. Hitting one, even at low speeds can cause serious damage to vehicles and injuries to occupants and the animal if struck.