Iconic highway becomes Australia's fastest road as speed limit is boosted to 130km/h

Motorists can legally travel at 130km/h on sections of the Stuart Highway in the Northern Territory. Pictured (left) is Mp Katherine Jo Hersey. Source: Jo Hersey / Getty (Jo Hersey / Getty) Australian motorists are being given the green light to travel at 130km/h on sections of a major highway — a speed not legally permitted anywhere else in the country.

The Northern Territory has begun a six-month trial increasing the speed limit from 100km/h to 130km/h on sections of the Stuart Highway outside the closed Hayes Creek and Wycliffe Well roadhouses.

The change, which came into effect on September 15, follows another speed limit increase at Emerald Springs, where the limit has also been returned to 130km/h.

The changes mean drivers can legally travel 20km/h faster than the maximum 110km/h limit motorists are accustomed to across much of the rest of Australia.