Oodnadatta Track

Difficulty: Difficulty 2.5/5 Suitable for: 4WD AWD 
Oodnadatta Track If you’re a history buff you’re going to go nuts crossing the Oodnadatta Track. The track follows the orignal Ghan line from Marla to Oodnadatta and then on to Marree. There's stacks of ruins, mound springs, excellent conservation park information & railway sidings/rubble.
StartClick to Reverse the Dynamic Map and Driving NotesMarla
FinishMarree
Distance637.43 kmMinimum Days2
Average Speed52.97 km/hrDriving Time12 hrs 1 min
Article By: ExplorOz Team | Page Updated: 16 May 2012

In this TrekNote

Description
Camp Sites & Accommodation
Related Travel Journals
Interactive Route Map
Driving Directions
Related Pages
Permits
Sponsors
Related Shop Items
Things to See & Do
Trek Feedback
Page Sponsors
Preparation

Go to top Description

Following the Oodnadatta Track is a journey back to the days of early European exploration and settlement. The most obvious historical relics are the last remaining sleepers and ruins of the original Ghan railway that run alongside the track from Marree to William Creek.

The Oodnadatta Track is the name given to the stretch of good dirt road from Marree through to Oodnadatta, which follows a major Aboriginal trade route - the original track taken by the explorer Stuart, the Overland Telegraph Line and the Old Ghan Railway Line.

Along the Oodnadatta Track route there are mound springs, Lake Eyre (Australia's largest lake), the biggest cattle station in the world (Anna Creek Station - owned by Kidman) and an ever-changing countryside that is both harsh and beautiful.

Track conditions are generally good enough for a 2WD vehicle to travel the route, however a 4WD will be more comfortable over the potholes and better equipped if the weather changes as rain will make the track slippery and some sections are prone to sudden washaways. It is also impossible to visit Lake Eyre without an all-wheel drive vehicle with some sections being very sandy, particularly the Halligans Bay Track.

Lake Eyre is an Australian identity and is the focal point of a trip along the Oodnadatta track. The lake is a giant basin where all the inland rivers (Diamantina, Warburton, Thomson, Barcoo, Cooper, Georgina, Eyre Creek, Peake, Neales, Macumba and Hamilton Rivers) converge into a pool of vast proportions, yet it can lay dry for many years on end as a crusty saltpan. To find out the status of Lake Eyre, please visit: Lake Eyre Yacht Club

To mark the start of a new millennium, Lake Eyre flooded for the first time in over 10 years in June 2000 and water could be seen from the shore. This brought an enormous influx of tourists to the region and so track conditions and facilities in the region were lifted to cope with the level of tourism.

But just as quickly as it can fill, Lake Eyre quickly evaporates under the scorching outback sun.

Go to top Interactive Route Map

Loading...
Loading
Selected Item is not in View - Zoom Out, Pan or Click to Show....
Places

Zoom & Scale Help

Point Control


Point Features











Symbols

Linear Features



Overlays


Place Name Search Help

Enter the place you are looking for.

Address Search Help

Enter the full or part address you are looking for.
Locate Address

Lat/Lon Search Help

Enter the Lat & Lon you wish to view.
Show Position

Route/Driving Directions Help

Enter an address in the 'from and to' then click 'Create Route'.
Create Route

Select Data Format

GPX GeoRSS OziExplorer
CSV
KML WKT
NOTE: All downloads are strictly for personal use, all download activity is recorded and limits may be imposed.
Your download is being generated, you will be promoted to Open or Save this file
Full Screen

Oodnadatta Track Help

From: Marla
To: Marree

This trek supports moving map, to take a virtual tour click on the Play button.
Mouse Position:
Map Legend

Go to top Permits

SA Desert Parks Pass for entry to Lake Eyre, otherwise not needed. Permits - day (24hr) visitor permits to Lake Eyre are $30 per vehicle. They can be purchased from the William Creek store and Marree Post Office. For longer term travellers, the Desert Parks Pass is also available. A Desert Park Pass can be purchased online directly from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources SA here: http://www.environment.sa.gov.au/parks/Park_Entry_Fees/Parks_Passes

Go to top Things to See & Do

Lake Eyre North

Just 7km south east from William Creek is a 72km long access track that heads out to Lake Eyre North. This track is marked 4WD (mainly because of large potholes, soft sand, and claypans) and takes you 62km to a Y junction at the ugliest section of Lake Eyre you'll see. The terrain all around appears burnt out but on closer inspection you realise that it's not the aftermath of a holocaust but strange natural colours of the landform. As soon as you turn left and begin the 10km out to Halligan Bay you leave the stark black scenery behind and suddenly you are surrounded in soft pastels and salmon coloured sand. The sand is soft so consider deflating your tyres if you get stuck. (Don't become a statistic out here. People have died because they weren't prepared).

Here you will find an information shelter, toilets and a small water tank. Other than that there is absolutely nothing else here but salt. You can safely walk out along the softer, muddy brown coloured crust which crumbles beneath your weight for about a kilometre until coming to the edge of the starkest white.

After staying a while, backtrack to the Oodnadatta track. You will pass a cross marking the spot where a traveller died. In the heat of summer 1998 a couple of misfortunate foreign travellers in a hired 4WD, had car trouble and waited for 3 days and then decided to walk back for help. They were bogged in sand and didn't know to deflate the tyres. The pair had an argument and the guy returned to his vehicle and was later rescued, but his partner was not so lucky and perished about 40km short of the Oodnadatta track. A cross beside the road marks the spot where she was found the next day. It's worth the drive out for the view and for a sharp reminder of how desolate this country is. It's all too easy from the comfort of your air conditioned 4WD to forget how reliant you are on the shelter it provides.

Go to top Preparation

Your vehicle will need to be extensively prepared for remote area travel, with all fuel, water, food and vehicle repair equipment and spare parts.

All travellers should read the 4WDriving Topic for related articles and checklists for vehicle setup and driver awareness.

We advise that you refer to the latest information and advice about outback communications in the Communications Topic. All drivers should set their UHF radios to scan all stations, but take note that Channel 10 is the offical channel for the Simspon Desert. Anywhere in the Diamantina Shire (comprising the towns of Birdsville, Betoota and Bedourie) you must not used UHF Ch 8 and 38 as these are to be reserved for emergency calls only - these channels are monitored by the Clinics, Police and station operators and must remain clear.

Fuel Supplies & Usage

Fuel SymbolMarla, Oodnadatta, William Creek, Marree Diesel4cyl 76 litres * ULP4cyl 103 litres LPG4cyl 127 litres
6cyl 111 litres *6cyl 102 litres *6cyl 181 litres *
8cyl 98 litres8cyl 106 litres
Usage is averaged from TrekFuel (* specific to trek) submissions and calculated based on trek distance.

Best Time To Visit

Closest Climatic Station

Oodnadatta Airport
Distance from Trek Mid Point 110.21km N
 JanFebMarAprMayJun JulAugSepOctNovDec
Mean Max. °C 37.736.633.728.5 23.219.919.622.1 26.530.333.736.3
Mean Min. °C 22.922.319.214.4 9.86.55.97.4 11.415.118.521.2
Mean Rain mm 23.731.212.211.4 13.012.110.18.3 10.214.012.917.6
    Best time to travel      Ok time to travel      Travel NOT recommended

Services & Supplies

The following locations have various services and supplies: Marla, Oodnadatta, William Creek, Marree
Marree is a good place to stock up your supplies, with supermarkets, caravan parks, a pub and some interesting bits of local history that fill in the gaps you missed in history class.

Go to top Camp Sites & Accommodation


Oodnadatta Track Outback Travellers Guide
Fourteen stripmaps break the Oodnadatta Track into identifiable sections giving travellers information on regional roads, fuel, water, landmarks, accommodation, GPS waypoints and much more.
www.exploroz.com/Shop/Books/DesignInteraction/Oodnadatta_Track_-_The_Outback_Travellers_Guide
Promote your Products/Brands here
Book your advertising campaign on ExplorOz.com – Australia’s largest online RV audience. Fully customised to suit your budget and the product/service you provide. Easy, effective, proven.
www.exploroz.com/Advertising/Default.aspx
Bargain Buys – Don’t Miss Out!
Save at least 30% on these never to be repeated specials on out last remaining stock of selected items.
www.exploroz.com/Shop/Bargain_Buys/Default.aspx
 

Go to top Driving Directions

Time
Direction
Distance
Marla to Oodnadatta Tk & Oodnadatta - Hamilton Tk 190.3 km E 95° 4 hr 4 min
Oodnadatta Tk & Oodnadatta - Hamilton Tk to Six Mile Creek Floodway 9.16 km SE 148° 9 min
Six Mile Creek Floodway to The Angle Pole Memorial 1.37 km SE 130° 2 min
The Angle Pole Memorial to Oodnadatta 7.1 km SE 150° 9 min
Oodnadatta to Mt Dutton 45.32 km SE 138° 1 hr
Mt Dutton to William Creek 163.52 km SE 154° 3 hr 21 min
William Creek to Irrapatana Siding 20.08 km SE 132° 19 min
Irrapatana Siding to Strangways Springs 15.45 km SE 150° 9 min
Strangways Springs to Beresford Railway Siding 13.82 km SE 143° 18 min
Beresford Railway Siding to Coward Springs 26.14 km SE 143° 44 min
Coward Springs to Wabma Kadarbu Mound Springs Conservation Park 13.87 km SE 130° 16 min
Wabma Kadarbu Mound Springs Conservation Park to Curdimurka 28.5 km E 98° 38 min
Curdimurka to Bopeechee 32.87 km SE 114° 29 min
Bopeechee to Marree 69.93 km E 95° 1 hr 10 min
Marla to Marree 637.43 km     12 hr 1 min
Distance is GPS recorded driving distance (not straight line), Direction is straight line from start to end, Time is calculated from actual GPS driving data.
Wandering Wadsworths Oodnadatta to Dalhousie
Oodnadatta for morning tea. Lachlan has been desperate for a meat pie. Fortunately the Pink Roadhouse was able to deliver and satisfy Lachlans craving.The
Wandering Wadsworths still in Copley waiting
As you know the camper suffered major suspension collapse out on the Oodnadatta track. It is being repaired now Copley. All going well we should depart Copley tomorrow..
Burton's Perth to Cape York Oonadatta to
Lulu made an appearance to appear in a photograph in front of the famous Pink Roadhouse. She has been sulking lately, even a swim in Dalhousie didn't lift her spirits. The Oodnadatta Track continued to be a dream highway.
Burton's Perth to Cape York Mt Dare to
Flies are up early here motivating us to get moving. Cereal, wash, coffee and a refuel at $2.20 per litre. Bought the obligatory Mt Dare sticker and headed off towards Dalhousie Springs.
William The Camper throws a wheel
Muloorina to..........not Coward Springs Set off back to the Oodnadatta Track and north towards Coward Springs. We were travelling along happily until just after crossing the washaway at Kidmanna Creek a wheel on the camper locked up at 80kph.
Blanchwater Ruins to Muloorina
Left Blanchwater and on to Lyndhurst and the start of the Oodnadatta Track. After visiting the amenities for a wee it was off to the  aboriginal Ochre Quarries just out of town then......back into Lyndhurst for a child to use the toilets!
Following the Big Wet - 2011 Trip – Part 9:
. Farina lies north of Leigh Ck, about half way to Marree, and has an interesting history. The area was originally proclaimed a town in 1878 and named “Government Gums” because of the River Red Gums lining the creek to the north of the town.
Mildura, Burra Creek Gorge, Rawnsley Park &
Day 5 Sunday 5th June (Yanga-Gol Gol (Mildura)). Our journey takes us west again today, through Balranald where we buy diesel and a weekend SMH newspaper...our last for a couple of months.
"Destination Unknown" Day 6 - Oodnadatta to Mt
Wednesday 6th July 2001 Mount Dare SA Another spectacular sunrise heralded the arrival of the day at Duff Creek. A pity the boys aren’t out early enough to enjoy it. Ahhh teenagers it’s still all about eating, playing and sleeping.
"Destination Unknown" Day 5 - William Creek,
Tuesday 5th July, 2011 Duff Creek, Oodnadatta Track The first rays of morning bought a magnificent sunrise with the black horizon shot through with vermillion hues. Amazing what an overcast morning can provide.
"Destination Unknown" Day 4 - The Oodnadatta
Monday 4th July, 2011 – Oodnadatta Track We were aiming for an early getaway and as it panned out, we were squared away and on the road by 8:00 a.m. Our intended route would take us through the Flinders and up the Oodnadatta,
2011 Clockwise SW QLD Lake Eyre (May/June)
THIS TRIP Brisbane - Haddon Corner - The Dig Tree - Lyndhurst - Marree - William Creek - Oodnadatta - Painted Desert - Dalhousie - Mt Dare - Ghan Heritage Trail - Alice Springs - Winton - Brisbane. Quilpie My gateway to the outback!
Simpson Desert Simpson Desert
The Simpson Desert can be crossed via the French Line, WAA line or Rig Road. This trek provides a route using a combination of all 3 routes. [Feature Story]
Birdsville Track Birdsville Track
The Birdsville Track runs south from Birdsville to Maree and passes through the Sturt Stony Desert. It is an extremely remote region but is strikingly beautiful in its harshness.
Bore Track Bore Track
The Bore Track is an access road for oil company vehicles and for property owners. This track is a great alternative to the wide gravel road of the Strzelecki Track which is more a highway than a track.
Strzelecki Track Strzelecki Track
The Stzrelecki Track is strictly the route from Innamincka to Lyndhurst, however our trek note is for travellers going between Innamincka and Arkaroola Village in the heart of the Flinders Ranges.
Walkers Crossing Walkers Crossing
Route for driving between Birdsville and Innamincka through the flood plain country of the nothern overlow of the Cooper Creek before rising onto the Sturt Stony Desert on the Birdsville Track.
Mt Dare to Oodnadatta via Dalhousie Mt Dare to Oodnadatta via Dalhousie
This trek provides an easy opportunity to access Dalhousie Springs, one of the main icons of the Simpson Desert without a significant detour if touring between South Australia and the Red Centre.
Simpson Desert Rig Road Simpson Desert Rig Road
The Rig Road is the most southern access across the Simpson Desert. It is a longer route because it winds along the edge of dunes and crosses at the lowest points. Old clay-topped track is now eroding,
Trek Search Trek Search
ExplorOz Trek Notes are detailed, factual reviews of destinations in Australia to which you can plan a self-drive camping trip. This page will enable you to access these trek notes,
Simpson Desert French Line Simpson Desert French Line
The French Line is the most direct route across the desert and traverses directly across the tops of over 1200 red sand dunes, with Big Red being the major challenge.
Painted Desert Painted Desert
The Painted Desert has to be the highlight of the South Australian Desert experience. This trek from Coober Pedy takes as little as one day, but if you are a photographer or painter,
Simpson Desert WAA Line Simpson Desert WAA Line
This track is similar to the French Line and although it has smaller dunes, it is very picturesque especially after rain. While in this area take a look at the Knolls,
Cordillo Downs Cordillo Downs
This is the main route from Innamincka to Birdsville. The track is about 420km and conditions vary greatly. The countryside is a seemingly endless gibber plain but this is Australia's prime cattle country
Innamincka Memorials and Markers Innamincka Memorials and Markers
This trek which lies purely in the Innamincka Regional Reserve follows the memorials, markers and waterholes along Cooper Creek. It is a trek filled with history and culture from the Burke and Wills
Inside Track Inside Track
The Inside Track was gazetted as a public road on 16th January 2002 and provides an alternative route that is also 35km shorter than the main Birdsville Track.
Dig Tree Circuit Dig Tree Circuit
This loop trek from Innamincka will take you on a historic adventure, heading towards The Burke and Wills "Dig Tree", which is one of Australia's national icons and an enduring reminder of our pioneering
Dalhousie to Finke via Bloods Ck Dalhousie to Finke via Bloods Ck
This trek connects the Red Centre and the Simpson Desert but also intersects the Old Ghan in numerous places and provides an interesting drive.

Go to top Trek Feedback
You must be registered and logged in to 'Have Your Say'



Registration is free and takes only seconds to complete!