The Oodnadatta Track

The great Outback Australia travel adventure

The Oodnadatta Track is certainly the most historic Outback track in Australia, hence it should be on top of your South Australia travel itinerary.
The track is classified as an easier route, so it is just right for anyone with no Outback experience.

The Oodnadatta Track follows an ancient trail used by Aborigines for ochre trading for thousands of years. Artesian mound springs supply water in this arid region.
Aborigines relied on this water source as well as the European explorers who used the route to build the Overland Telegraph and the Old Ghan railway lines in the late 19th century.

Wongianna Ruins - Oodnadatta Track

This was the time when the story of the Australian camels began. Without the ships of the desert exploring the vast Australian inland would have been even harder.

These days the Oodnadatta Track is a well maintained gravel road of approx. 620 km that begins in Marree. It is a great route to travel from South Australia to the Northern Territory, and it is much more interesting than the sealed Stuart Highway.

How to get there?

Coming from the south take the Hawker-Leigh Creek Road that passes by the Flinders Ranges. The bitumen ended in Lyndhurst until recently.
On my last trip to this region (Nov. 2008) roadworks were in progress, and locals in Marree told me that the route from Marree to Lyndhurst is going to be sealed very soon.
Don't miss the Ochre Pits and the ghost town Farina on your way to Marree.

If you come from the north along the Stuart Highway, the entry to the Oodnadatta Track is roughly 160 km south of the South Australian border.

Travelling along the track can be divided into three legs, which are decribed in detail in the Outback Guide. If you really want to take it easy, and take your time to explore the ruins and natural highlights along the way, you allow yourself one day for each stage of about 200 km.

The route step by step

Marree To William Creek (204 km) - in my opinion the most diverse part of the track. Lake Eyre, mound springs, several ruins of former Ghan railway sidings are among the highlights.
William Creek to Oodnadatta (202 km) - see more relics of the Old Ghan, including the huge Algebuckina railway bridge.
Oodnadatta to Marla (211 km) - Both the Ghan and the Overland Telegraph Line leave the track north of the township Oodnadatta. So on this last leg you won't see much history, just beautiful Outback landscape.
If you get the chance make a detour to the Painted Desert from Oodnadatta. This is sheer Outback beauty, and truly worth the visit. You can also use the painted desert track for a short cut to Australia's famous opal capital, Coober Pedy.

Check the driving Distances Outback for more travel distances in this part of the South Australian Outback. Prepare yourself and your car for the trip, don't miss the section about Outback safety in this guide.

Stuart Range - Outback South Australia

Each little town along the track offers basic Outback accommodation and other facilities travellers need. It is always wise to refuel, and check your water stocks.

The Oodnadatta Track takes you into true Outback country - stony plains, rocky hills and wildflowers after good rain. You have to cross several creeks and river systems, most of them are usually dry.

"Sandy creeks that flow nowhere,

Excepting when it rains"...

This line from a Slim Dusty song really fits. Everywhere in the Outback you'll recognize dry waterways by the stands of river red gums and coolibah trees along the dry creek beds.

Talking of rain.... water causes the biggest problem when driving out there, anywhere in the Outback. It doesn't rain often, but if the rain comes it can be torrential. Always check with the locals for the weather report.

Take your time and explore this timeless land, and the historic features along the way. Make it a trip of a lifetime. For me it really was an unique Outback travel experience.

When you reach Marla on the Stuart Highway, you are back on bitumen, but still in the Outback. You can either go to the Alice Springs and Uluru, or down south to Coober Pedy, Port Augusta and Adelaide.

Permits

As long as you stay on the main road you don't need any permits. However, if you plan to make a detour to a National or Conservation Park, you need to obtain either a Deserts Park Pass or a day permit. Both are available in Marree and William Creek.

Ready to go? Let's start in my favourite Outback town, Marree.

Map of the Oodnadatta Track - opens a new window for your convenient reading and planning.

Enjoy this most interesting track in the South Australian Outback. I just loved the tour along the Oodnadatta Track!

Read other reader's stories and questions

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Click below to read frequently asked questions and answers.

Tribute to Tragedy on the Cooper Lake Eyre We are four old mates from Uni days and now more than 30 years on went on our own outback trip in 2 4wds, first as four blokes, then with 3 female partners ...

Oodnadatta Track with a Winnebago I am planning on visiting Lake Eyre and the Oodnadatta track throughout September 2011. Is the track's okay to do in a Winnebago? Have heard only 4wd allowed ...

Birdsville to Murray Bridge, Along the Oonadatta track as well. Hi,

We are going to be travelling these 2 tracks at the end of September.
We are wondering how the roads are now. I'll be towing a van.
Any info ...

Darwin to Melbourne via lake Eyre Hi Rita and thanks for web site, it offers some great info.
I am planning to drive from Darwin to Melbourne and was hoping to do the Oodnadatta track ...

Hawker to Old Andado Station Hi Rita,
My wife and I have just returned from a 3 week trip that took us through Hawker in SA via Parachilna, Leigh Creek, Lyndhurst,Marree, Curdimurka,...

Marree to Marla, via the Oodnadatta track Hi Rita.
We are planning to travel south from Mt. Isa to Birdsville and then down to Marree. From Marree we would like to travel to William Creek, Oodnadatta,...

Travelling Marree to William Creek Fuel (petrol and diesel) at William Creek?
Hi, We are a group of 3 families travelling from Melbourne to Coober Pedy, Flinders Ranges via William ...

motorhome oodnadatta
Mate wants to come with me in his motorhome Birdsville, Marree, Marla early July 2011. I'll be in 4wd with camper trailer. Is it advisable?
Regards ...

Road conditions Oodnadatta Track Traveling from Port Augusta to Marree to Williams Creek to Coober Pedy.
My caravan is not off road, would it be okay on these dirt roads? Not too rough ...

Lake Eyre from Sydney Hello Rita,

We are a small group of older lady travellers wanting to drive from Sydney to Lake Eyre in June this year.
We would appreciate any advise ...

Road from Marree to Lake Eyre Hi Rita, The road from Marree to William Creek or Marree is it suitable for 2wd drive or only 4 wd? Is it best to stay in Marree and take tours from there ...

Travelling the Oodnadatta Track
Hi, my wife and I are hoping to travel the Oodnadatta Track in June this year from south to north.
Any one got any tips, re, weather, traffic etc. We ...

Travelling to Lake Eyre
Hi there,
We were planning to travel to lake Eyre in the next month once the water goes down to allow travel access, there is sooo much water around ...

Adelaide to Ayers Rock via Lake Eyre Hi, we are driving from Adelaide to Ayers Rock and back to Adelaide in April 2011. Is it unreasonable to try to go to Lake Eyre as well?? Where would we ...

Birds at Lake Eyre Hi Rita,
We made a fabulous 4 day Air Tour to Lake Eyre last year staying at Marree. Driving out to the lake was a wonderful experience but our flight ...

Will Lake Eyre fill in 2011
Is Lake Eyre filling from the cyclone still or will it soon be dry again?

We want to see the Lake with water in it and hear that it will take about ...

Hard life on the Oodnadatta track Hi, all my relatives after emigrating from Scotland went first to Robe and then spread out over the South East as far north as Bordertown, Lameroo, Pinnaroo,...

Sailing on Lake Eyre I am wondering if you have any tips for us. We plan to take a heron sailing dinghy to the lake and sail on it. We have been several times before but never ...

Journey thru the most central town in Australia I recently traveled from Quilpie in the Queensland Channel Country to Tibooburra, North of Broken Hill, NSW. There were some concerns about flood-damaged ...

Lyndhurst to Marree road conditions What is the road surface between Leigh Creek and Marree? On Google is looks sealed, but on most maps I have looked it, it is shown as unsealed.
Reason ...

Marree - William Creek with a normal car Hi there,

Congrats for your web site, it s full of great informations and I can't wait any more for my travel.
I am about to do a trip from Melbourne ...

Family Trip - Melbourne - Coober Pedy - Oodnadatta Track Hi, I am very excited to be planning a trip accross S.A, Coober Pedy and then Marla down to Marree . Our Kids are rather young, 5 and 4 at the time ...

Road surface - Oodnadatta track We are planning a trip to Darwin mid 2010 and would dearly love to travel the Oodnadatta track.

Presuming weather conditions are OK, would the road ...

Our Lake Eyre Adventure May Day! May Day! May 1 was the beginning of our first real "outback adventure". We had driven to "The Alice" before, thru southern NSW and up to the ...

William Creek to Lake Eyre with a Subaru Forester Hi Rita,

I am really impressed with your website and the information that has been posted. I am from Melbourne and will be working in Alice Springs,...

Driving from Melbourne to Lake Eyre Hi Rita, first thank you for this site for intrepid travellers such as myself. I am hiring a campervan with my 12 y.o. daughter and taking her on a road ...

Lake Eyre - Level Post Bay Hi,
I'm travelling through that area on the weekend and staying Saturday night at Lyndhurst and have Sunday free before heading down south.

My better ...

Lake Eyre Just wondering which is the best track to see the most, as we are planning to go to lake Eyre in a couple of weeks.

Lake Eyre Halligan Bay photo ...

Lake Eyre Trip hello, we would like to travel to lake eyre now the waters are there, but would also like to visit coober pedy and see the flinders national park.
We ...

Travel times for Oodnadatta track My wife and I are planning a trip to Darwin in September 2010, and were thinking about driving to Coober Pedy via the Oodnadatta track.

We are staying ...

Victorian Invasion Well Rita, heading your way and meeting up with some other 4x4 Earth Forum members for what should be an enjoyable Trip,

Cheers GRUMPY

Response ...

Family of 5 travelling from Boggabri to Darwin via Alice Springs Hi Rita,
This is a great web site. We are leaving on the 25th June, and intend to head to S.A. and go on the Oodnadatta Track to Coober Pedy. What is ...

Birdsville and Oodnadatta Tracks Hi,

We are going to be travelling these 2 tracks at end of June and beginning of July.
We are wondering how the roads are now. Are they still flooded?...

Christmas Aboriginal Santa Hi,
I am a Journalist from Vibe Magazine which goes into all the schools in Australia for Aboriginal Kids.
I am trying to find some Info about Christmas ...

Canoeing Lake Eyre Hi Rita,
My son and I are travelling to Lake Eyre (4 wheel drive and camper) in the school holidays and would like your help with a few things.

1....

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