Marla, Administrative settlement in Pastoral Unincorporated Area, Australia.
Marla is a remote settlement on the Stuart Highway, located about 970 kilometers northwest of Adelaide and 402 kilometers south of Alice Springs. The settlement provides basic services including a medical clinic, police station, hotel, restaurant, fuel station, and accommodation for travelers.
The South Australian government established this settlement in 1981 to serve travelers crossing the interior of the continent. It developed as a stopping point for people undertaking the long journey across the remote outback.
The name comes from an Aboriginal word for kangaroos, linking this place to the Indigenous heritage of the surrounding land.
The settlement sits directly on the main highway route, making it a natural stopping point for long-distance travelers. The drives from Adelaide or Alice Springs are long, so planning a break here to use the available services is practical.
The Ghan train stops near the settlement at sunrise, allowing passengers to enjoy breakfast while watching the morning light across the landscape. This experience offers a rare moment to pause and take in the surroundings during a long journey.
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