Anyone driven the Stuart Highway?

Off to Oz June'06 and after "doing" Sydney/Brisbane/Lamington National Park/Cairns & Port Douglas, flying to Alice and driving from there to Darwin with a detour to Kakadu.
Plan to stop in Alice 2 nights, Tennant Creek 2 nights, Katherine 2 nights, Kakadu Park 3 nights and a final 3 nights in Darwin before flying to Singapore.
Any info on the journey and details of my stopping points would be much appreciated. Don't think it would be everyones choice but has been a burning ambition since I first visited Oz many years ago.

I've never actually driven it but I travelled from Darwin all the way through to Adelaide (via Kakadu, Katherine, Alice Springs and Coober Pedy) back in 1992.

I took a 4 day tour from Darwin to Katherine (via Kakadu) then climbed on bus for an overnighter to Alice - likewise on other legs South of Alice.

I love Alice and had already visited there once before. Two nights is not a lot and I recommend you stay in the town - there was a circular hop on - hop off bus when I was there which visited all the main tourist spots (Telegraph Station, Flying Doctors, Botanical Gardens, Lookout etc.)

I used a book called 'Outback Australia at Cost' which is still available but has not been revised so bit out of date. It detailed virtually every settlement, even those with 1 inhabitant, in NT.

It was a great trip and was an ambition of mine too. Couldn't quite do the car bit but I did hire a car in Alice and went out to the Ross River settlement. Palm Valley is also well recommended if you have time.

Phil (Buffy)