Family rescued after outback breakdown

A family group including a toddler who were stranded for more than 24 hours on a scorching outback road were rescued because others knew their travel plan and raised the alarm, police said.

Northern Territory police were alerted about 9.30pm (NZT) on Wednesday after the party of five adults and an 18-month-old baby failed to arrive at Kintore, near the Western Australian border.

The group had set out from Tjukala in Western Australia early on Tuesday morning for what should have been a 12-hour drive along the Sandy Blight Road, but their car broke down.

Officers found two members of the group about 30km southwest of Kintore.

The pair had decided to walk for help after the car broke down, and officers found the other adults and the baby still with the car, 11km on.

Police said they were dehydrated after spending 27 hours waiting for help in temperatures in excess of 43 degrees and had run out of water.

Acting Superintendent Darrell Kerr said the family was lucky to be alive after the ordeal.

"If they hadn't let someone know they were coming, it could have ended tragically, as no one would have raised the alarm when they failed to show up," Supt Kerr said in a statement.

"The fact they ran out of water is a timely reminder to people to be well prepared when travelling these remote roads.

"Get your vehicle checked before the trip to limit the risk of breakdowns, and always ensure you have plenty of water and food, just in case the unforseen happens."

- AAP