Oodnadatta Track Travel Tips
Where to stay & get supplies
The Oodnadatta Track Travel Tips section provides you with useful
information to plan and enjoy your trip along the historic track.
No need to worry about food and drinks... isn't it good to know where
you can get a warm meal, or a cold beer, when you arrive at your
destination?
A tour along the Oodnadatta Track is a great experience. If you don't
like camping, you can always stay in a cabin, or an old-fashioned hotel.
Enjoy the Outback hospitality!
Roadhouse in Marree
Don't forget, the Oodnadatta track is a remote area, be well-prepared
& carry plenty of water. There is no mobile phone reception out
there, you need to wait for other travellers passing by when you're in
trouble, or carry a sat-phone or a radio.
Facilities along the Oodnadatta Track
Towns and places listed here start from the eastern, or southern end of the track.
Marree
The tiny town at the beginning of two famous Outback tracks is truly an
attraction. Stay at least one night and explore Marree's unique history
as a railway town on the legendary Ghan line.
-
Marree Hotel (Ph: 08 8675 8344) is located at Railway Tce South.
The grand old hotel offers single and double rooms (with shared bathroom
facilities), as well as counter & dining room meals.
The bar room is the place for a cold beer and a chat with the locals. Enjoy unique Outback hospitality in this historic hotel.
Recent additions include modern cabins with ensuite rooms & a free
camping area (gold coin donation to use shower and toilets).
- Oasis Caravan Park (Ph: 08 8675 8352),
Railway Tce South - This park is in the middle of town, has some grassy
camp sites and shade to offer. They also have cabins with private
facilities and air-condition. There is a camp kitchen and a "BBQ garden" where guests and
locals share some gossip around the camp fire at night.
- Marree Outback Store, Oasis Cafe & Roadhouse (Ph: 08 8675 8360), Railway Tce North. The Oasis Cafe offers breakfast, take-away meals and dinner.
The shop has everything travellers might need in this remote area,
including a bottle shop, bakery, post office, EFTPOS & ATM
facilities.
The roadhouse has unleaded fuel, diesel & AVGAS, car repairs & tyres.
- Drovers Run Caravan Park (ph: 08 8675 8644), 600m south of Marree on the corner of the Birdsville & Oodnadatta Track. The park offers the typical camping facilities, basic and self-contained cabins.
- Scenic flights to Lake Eyre are operated from the roadhouse and the hotel.
Historic Marree Hotel
Coward Springs
The former Ghan railway station is now an oasis for travellers and a welcome stop when you travel along the Oodnadatta Track.
- Coward Springs (Ph: 08 8675 8336) has a basic
campground in a beautiful vicinity. Camp sites are sheltered by old
trees, each site has their own fire place (bring your own wood).
- Pit toilets and hot showers are available. Wood for the showers is provided, but visitors need to feed the donkey for hot water.
- Relax in the unique spa, the water comes from a artesian bore.
Doesn't the spa look inviting?
The wetlands at Coward Springs are a heaven for birds, and other wildlife.
Camels at Coward Springs
William Creek
It is a remote place with all services you need out there.When you feel like it, you can even play a round of golf!
- William Creek Hotel, Ph: 08 8670 7880 - The hotel & pub offers meals, take-away liquor & rooms with shared facilities.
The pub is a wonderful place to enjoy a cool drink after an hot and dusty day on the tracks.
- Camp ground with shower blocks, and cabins. When I
stayed there in 2001 there was not much shade, however, many small trees
were planted that might provide some shade by now.
- Minor mechanical repairs and fuel.
- Wrights Air offers scenic flights Lake Eyre & the painted desert.
Dawn at William Creek caravan park
Oodnadatta
- The Pink Roadhouse, Ph: 08 8670 7822 has
fuel, meals, a typical Outback mini market, and a campground with
cabins. Facilities are basic, but you get everything you need. The Oodnaburger are legendary.
That's my only disappointment about the place, the kitchen was closed when I stayed there.
- Transcontinental Hotel, Oh: 08 8670 7804 - The pub offers air-conditioned rooms and hearty meals.
- Oodnadatta General Store a mini-market that
also offers fuel, hardware, and take-away meals. (I am not sure if the
general store is still open, let me know if you have any updates,
thanks).
The famous pink roadhouse
- Transcontinental Hotel, Oh: 08 8670 7804 - The pub offers air-conditioned rooms and hearty meals.
- Oodnadatta General Store a mini-market that
also offers fuel, hardware, and take-away meals. (I am not sure if the
general store is still open, let me know if you have any updates,
thanks).
The rustic campground next to the Pink Roadhouse
Marla
The small town at the junction of the Oodnadatta Track and the Stuart
Highway was built in 1980 to serve travellers on the Stuart Highway.
The large roadhouse called Marla's Traveller's Rest is a
busy place. It offers motel facilities, a caravan park and camping area,
backpacker facilities, a restaurant & take-away, post and banking
facilities and, of course, fuel.
Emergency Services along the Oodnadatta Track
There are small hospitals staffed with an experienced nurse in Oodnadatta & Marree.
Both towns also have a local police officer.
Oodnadatta Track -> the route step by step
Don't miss the articles below which give you many more details about the route.
Get general facts, an introduction and overview of the track (617 km)
Discover the history of the early days in this fascinating town
The first section of the Oodnadatta Track is in my
opinion the most diverse part of the track (204 km)
This small town offers everything a traveller needs. You'll be surprised
what you'll find in this tiny village
See more relics of the Old Ghan, including the huge Algebuckina railway bridge (202 km)
First discover the township Oodnadatta, before you go on the last leg of the track (211 km)
Don't miss to read this page, it also includes useful tips by Outback Guide readers
Read about Australia's largest lake which only fills every couple of years
Find camp spots, where to get fuel, a good meal, and a cold beer
Outback South Australia is a wonderful place to explore, don't miss it
Enjoy this most interesting (and my favourite) track in the South Australian Outback.
Below you'll find more useful articles to help you plan your journey.