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Strzelecki Track

Difficulty: Trek rating 2.5 of 5 - Click for detailsTrek rating 2.5 of 5 - Click for detailsTrek rating 2.5 of 5 - Click for details   Suitable for: 4WD AWD Bike 
The Stzrelecki Track is strictly the route form Innamincka to Lyndhurst, however our trek note is for travellers starting at Innamincka and travelling down to Arkaroola Village in the heart of the Flinders Ranges.
StartClick to Reverse the Dynamic Map and Driving NotesInnamincka
Trek
FinishArkaroola Village
Distance427.43 kmMinimum Days1
Average Speed62.95 km/hrDriving Time6 hr 47 min
Article By: ExplorOz Team   Updated: 21 Feb 2008
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 Description

The Strzelecki Track is steeped in history: discovered and named by Charles Sturt in 1845 the Strzelecki Creek and the subsequent discovery of the Cooper Creek opened the area. The actual "track" was originally blazed by Harry Redford, a cattle thief droving 1000 stolen cattle over untracked country from central Qld to Adelaide. The thief was caught out, but due to his heroic efforts in establishing a new stock route he was let off and became one of the greatest drovers in Australian history.

But the tragic death of explorers Burke and Wills on the banks of the Cooper Creek near present day Innamincka is the region's most famous incident. In 1861 the South Australian government offered 2000 pounds to the first explorer to reach the top end of the continent.

The Victorians at that time were brashly rich and with much pomp and ceremony Robert O'Hara Burke left Melbourne with his team of 20 men, 18 camels, 22 horses and 20 tonnes of food bound to reach the Gulf of Carpentaria. Unfortunately, Burke was not a bushman, had absolutely no tracking or surveying experience and was extremely hot tempered. His second in command was not initially Wills but a fellow who had an unfortunate habit of feeding the horses rum! When Burke discovered this he sacked the man, smashed their entire supplies of rum and appointed William John Wills to the position.

Their race to be the first to reach the top of Australia was fraught with incident but amazingly three of them actually made it to the top and returned to their supply depot at Cooper Creek. They were Burke, Wills and King. The tragedy is that they were over a month overdue and the supply team had retreated south only 9 hours before their arrival. The supply team had left supplies buried beneath a tree which bore the markings "Dig 3ft NW" and various other markings. The tree is now called the Dig Tree and is protected by the Qld pastoral commission. It's just a half day drive from Innamincka to visit the tree and the surrounding area where plaques mark the grave sites of Burke and Wills who died of a combination of starvation and poisoning from eating berries after the supplies ran out and they couldn't make their way south. Only King survived - he had the sense to befriend the aborigines and when Burke and Wills died they cared for him until he was rescued in 1861.

 Interactive Route Map

InnaminckaFifteen Mile Tk & Queerbidie Waterhole AccessStrzelecki Tk & Fifteen Mile TkBurlieburlie WaterholeOld Strzelecki Tk & Strzelecki TkNappacoongee WaterholeOld Strzelecki Tk & Cameron Corner AccessStrzelecki Tk & Merty Merty AccessStrzelecki Creek, Strzelecki TkMontecollina BoreStrzelecki Regional Reserve, Southern BoundaryStrzelecki Tk & Arkaroola AccessArkaroola Tk & Moolawatana AccessNorth MulgaParalana OutstationWooltanaBalcanoonaArkaroolaDevils SlideArkaroola Village
Innamincka
Great place. Go on the Cooper Creek cruise. Well worth it. Pete is full of information, the bird life and the river gums are magnificent in the setting sun. September 2007.
Features: Populated PlaceRiver Crossing Walk Track Rubbish Bin,Tip Fuel Water Supply Toilet Pub Food,Shopping Camp Fee
Position: 140.7372ºE   27.7474ºS (GDA 94)
Next Place: Fifteen Mile Tk & Queerbidie Waterhole Access
Distance: 0.78km
Average Speed: 19.68km/h
Fifteen Mile Tk & Queerbidie Waterhole Access
Queerbidie Waterhole Turn Off
Features: Junction,Intersection,Turn Off
Position: 140.7330ºE   27.7518ºS (GDA 94)
Next Place: Strzelecki Tk & Fifteen Mile Tk
Distance: 0.67km
Average Speed: 35.8km/h
Features: Junction,Intersection,Turn Off
Position: 140.7322ºE   27.7574ºS (GDA 94)
Next Place: Burlieburlie Waterhole
Distance: 5.97km
Average Speed: 60.28km/h
Features: Water Body,River,Stream,Falls
Position: 140.7240ºE   27.8108ºS (GDA 94)
Next Place: Old Strzelecki Tk & Strzelecki Tk
Distance: 38.3km
Average Speed: 66.92km/h
Features: Junction,Intersection,Turn Off
Position: 140.5658ºE   28.0894ºS (GDA 94)
Next Place: Nappacoongee Waterhole
Distance: 12.58km
Average Speed: 67.57km/h
Features: Water Body,River,Stream,Falls
Position: 140.4995ºE   28.1773ºS (GDA 94)
Next Place: Old Strzelecki Tk & Cameron Corner Access
Distance: 54.21km
Average Speed: 72.32km/h
Features: Junction,Intersection,Turn Off
Position: 140.2761ºE   28.5958ºS (GDA 94)
Next Place: Strzelecki Tk & Merty Merty Access
Distance: 9.63km
Average Speed: 69.34km/h
Strzelecki Tk & Merty Merty Access
This is the junction to Merty Merty Homestead 10km. Comes to junction with "Old Strzelecki Track" - warning, very slippery when wet but when dry a diversion path to Innamincka bypassing Moomba. The track is pretty barren but there are a few odd sights to keep you interested.
Features: Junction,Intersection,Turn Off
Position: 140.1864ºE   28.5644ºS (GDA 94)
Next Place: Strzelecki Creek, Strzelecki Tk
Distance: 43.32km
Average Speed: 81.45km/h
Strzelecki Creek, Strzelecki Tk
Yaningurie Waterhole on the Stzrelecki Creek is a good spot to get off the road being 2km behind the dunes. The waterhole was not full when we were here last but we saw plenty of evidence of desert animals including corellas, crows, kangaroos and plenty of dingo tracks too.
Features: River CrossingPoint of Interest
Position: 140.1190ºE   28.9439ºS (GDA 94)
Next Place: Montecollina Bore
Distance: 53.88km
Average Speed: 85.29km/h
Montecollina Bore
Montecollina Bore is the most popular camp site on the track where a bore is overflowing into a series of dams that attract literally thousands of birds. The camping area is marked out in the sand with a shaded picnic shelter and even a water tank.
Features: Camp FreePoint of Interest
Position: 139.9879ºE   29.4077ºS (GDA 94)
Next Place: Strzelecki Regional Reserve, Southern Boundary
Distance: 16.17km
Average Speed: 72.39km/h
Features: Grid Marker,Sign
Position: 139.9107ºE   29.5100ºS (GDA 94)
Next Place: Strzelecki Tk & Arkaroola Access
Distance: 10.6km
Average Speed: 77.5km/h
Strzelecki Tk & Arkaroola Access
One of the tracks at this junction heads towards Arkaroola.
Features: Junction,Intersection,Turn Off
Position: 139.8144ºE   29.5542ºS (GDA 94)
Next Place: Arkaroola Tk & Moolawatana Access
Distance: 55.19km
Average Speed: 59.24km/h
Features: Junction,Intersection,Turn Off
Position: 139.7437ºE   29.9170ºS (GDA 94)
Next Place: North Mulga
Distance: 40.94km
Average Speed: 69.18km/h
North Mulga
No description entered. Enter description or photos.
Features: Populated Place
Position: 139.7004ºE   30.1973ºS (GDA 94)
Next Place: Paralana Outstation
Distance: 16.25km
Average Speed: 72.98km/h
Features: Populated Place
Position: 139.5597ºE   30.2744ºS (GDA 94)
Next Place: Wooltana
Distance: 20.64km
Average Speed: 66.24km/h
Wooltana
No description entered. Enter description or photos.
Features: Populated Place
Position: 139.4214ºE   30.4132ºS (GDA 94)
Next Place: Balcanoona
Distance: 18.2km
Average Speed: 55.53km/h
Balcanoona
Gammon Ranges NP Headquarters
Features: Populated Place
Position: 139.3056ºE   30.5327ºS (GDA 94)
Next Place: Arkaroola
Distance: 25.55km
Average Speed: 62.85km/h
Arkaroola
No description entered. Enter description or photos.
Features: Populated Place
Position: 139.3692ºE   30.3341ºS (GDA 94)
Next Place: Devils Slide
Distance: 2.44km
Average Speed: 55.18km/h
Devils Slide
No description entered. Enter description or photos.
Features: Place Name
Position: 139.3594ºE   30.3166ºS (GDA 94)
Next Place: Arkaroola Village
Distance: 2.12km
Average Speed: 46.28km/h
Arkaroola Village
Arkaroola Village is the settlement and resort at the hub of a 61,000 hectare wilderness sanctuary in the Northern Flinders Ranges in South Australia, adjacent to Gammon Ranges National Park and the Mawson Plateau.
Features: Populated PlaceService Station,Roadhouse Caravan Park Fuel Water Supply Toilet Food,Shopping Resort,Motel Point of Interest
Position: 139.3362ºE   30.3119ºS (GDA 94)

Route Control

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 Permits

There are no permits required to travel this track, however one must be obtained for visiting Coongie Lakes.

 Things to See & Do

Montecollina Bore   
Camp Free Point of Interest
Montecollina Bore is the most popular camp site on the track where a bore is overflowing into a series of dams that attract literally thousands of birds. The camping area is marked out in the sand with a shaded picnic shelter and even a water tank. The access track off the main road is a little sandy so I can’t imagine 2WD or caravans coming here.
Arkaroola Village   
Populated Place Service Station,Roadhouse Caravan Park Fuel Water Supply Toilet Food,Shopping Resort,Motel Point of Interest
Arkaroola Village is the settlement and resort at the hub of a 61,000 hectare wilderness sanctuary in the Northern Flinders Ranges in South Australia, adjacent to Gammon Ranges National Park and the Mawson Plateau. The Arkaroola Wilderness Sanctuary is located 700 km north of Adelaide in South Australia.
Strzelecki Creek, Strzelecki Tk   
River Crossing Point of Interest
Yaningurie Waterhole on the Stzrelecki Creek is a good spot to get off the road being 2km behind the dunes. The waterhole was not full when we were here last but we saw plenty of evidence of desert animals including corellas, crows, kangaroos and plenty of dingo tracks too.
There are many things to see and do such as visiting the Burke and Willls Dig Tree, Coongie Lakes and not to mention the Cooper River being great for fishing and bush camping. A short drive from the Old Strzelecki Track near Merty Merty homestead heads east towards Cameron Corner where you can stand in the corner of 3 states.

Recreation

Swimming, fishing and boating is all popular in the area, however no fishing is allowed at Coongie Lakes and nets are banned from the Cooper. Fish that can be found are: catfish, callop, barcoo, Welch's grunter and yellowtail. Photography, birdwatching, bush walking and vehicle touring are all popular activities in the area.

Some people come to Innamincka for a day and stay and a week. Camps along the Cooper are not only beautiful but teeming with wildlife at all times of the day and night. Before sunrise you can hear the distinctive call of the eagles, the rustle of rubbish bags being vandalised by crows and the distant howling of a dingo. By sun up the corellas are in full chorus, ensuring everyone within a hundred kilometre radius is awake. During the day pelicans and ducks patrol the narrow stretch of creek in front of the camps, teasing the fishermen with their skilful extraction of yellowbelly. And by dusk the corellas and sparrows return in pairs, fighting and screeching to demand their tree. The few minutes after sunset are the quietest moments of the day when everything seems to suddenly stop. But by dark, as you stoke the camp fire, the fish start jumping and as you try to sleep the cooling camp fire is raided by scavenging dingos.

 Preparation

IMPORTANT NOTICE
Tyre and Mechanical services at Innamincka will be opened by local John Osborne for approx 1 hour first thing in the morning daily. This is for tyre enquiries only and is from Monday 18th Feb 2008 until approx 18th April 2008. Services that will be available from April onwards will be advised later.

Fuel Supplies & Usage

Fuel SymbolInnamincka, Arkaroola Village Diesel4cyl 50 litres * ULP4cyl 69 litres LPG4cyl 85 litres
6cyl 62 litres *6cyl 66 litres *6cyl 75 litres
8cyl 73 litres8cyl 68 litres
Usage is averaged from TrekFuel (* specific to trek) submissions and calculated based on trek distance.

Best Time To Visit

The cooler months are definitely the best time to visit, although always check local conditions as this area can be impassable especially after heavy rains.

Closest Climatic Station

Moomba Airport
Distance from Trek Mid Point 119.45km N
 JanFebMarAprMayJun JulAugSepOctNovDec
Mean Max. °C 38.337.034.029.2 23.520.119.422.5 27.429.934.136.4
Mean Min. °C 24.523.820.515.9 10.87.56.68.4 12.715.819.522.2
Mean Rain mm 16.925.310.87.8 10.811.318.74.8 14.411.813.016.1
    Best time to travel      Ok time to travel      Travel NOT recommended

Services & Supplies

The following locations have various services and supplies: Innamincka, Arkaroola Village

 Camp Sites & Accomodation

Innamincka   RatingRatingRatingRating
Populated Place River Crossing Walk Track Rubbish Bin,Tip Fuel Water Supply Toilet Pub Food,Shopping Camp Fee
Great place. Go on the Cooper Creek cruise. Well worth it. Pete is full of information, the bird life and the river gums are magnificent in the setting sun. September 2007.
Montecollina Bore   
Camp Free Point of Interest
Montecollina Bore is the most popular camp site on the track where a bore is overflowing into a series of dams that attract literally thousands of birds. The camping area is marked out in the sand with a shaded picnic shelter and even a water tank. The access track off the main road is a little sandy so I can’t imagine 2WD or caravans coming here.
Arkaroola Village   
Populated Place Service Station,Roadhouse Caravan Park Fuel Water Supply Toilet Food,Shopping Resort,Motel Point of Interest
Arkaroola Village is the settlement and resort at the hub of a 61,000 hectare wilderness sanctuary in the Northern Flinders Ranges in South Australia, adjacent to Gammon Ranges National Park and the Mawson Plateau. The Arkaroola Wilderness Sanctuary is located 700 km north of Adelaide in South Australia.

Camping

You can camp on what's called the Town Common, which is a stretch of about 2km along the Cooper Creek and within easy walking distance of the town facilities. It's a good spot for a base camp to explore the area and is within walking distance of the pub! Good camping on the south side of Cooper Creek.

Cullyamurra Waterhole is further out of town, but worth it. For those not looking for a bush camp, there are some options in town with facilities. Enquire at the Innamincka Tyre and Auto Service for their campground out the back (white gravel, adjacent to laundromat, showers, phone, toilets etc). The Homestay, also has a camping area with access to facilities.

 Driving Directions

Time
Direction
Distance
Innamincka to Fifteen Mile Tk & Queerbidie Waterhole Access 0.78 km SW 220° 2 min
Fifteen Mile Tk & Queerbidie Waterhole Access to Strzelecki Tk & Fifteen Mile Tk 0.67 km S 188° 1 min
Strzelecki Tk & Fifteen Mile Tk to Burlieburlie Waterhole 5.97 km S 188° 5 min
Burlieburlie Waterhole to Old Strzelecki Tk & Strzelecki Tk 38.3 km SW 207° 34 min
Old Strzelecki Tk & Strzelecki Tk to Nappacoongee Waterhole 12.58 km SW 214° 11 min
Nappacoongee Waterhole to Old Strzelecki Tk & Cameron Corner Access 54.21 km SW 205° 44 min
Old Strzelecki Tk & Cameron Corner Access to Strzelecki Tk & Merty Merty Access 9.63 km W 292° 8 min
Strzelecki Tk & Merty Merty Access to Strzelecki Creek, Strzelecki Tk 43.32 km S 189° 31 min
Strzelecki Creek, Strzelecki Tk to Montecollina Bore 53.88 km S 194° 37 min
Montecollina Bore to Strzelecki Regional Reserve, Southern Boundary 16.17 km SW 213° 13 min
Strzelecki Regional Reserve, Southern Boundary to Strzelecki Tk & Arkaroola Access 10.6 km SW 242° 8 min
Strzelecki Tk & Arkaroola Access to Arkaroola Tk & Moolawatana Access 55.19 km S 190° 55 min
Arkaroola Tk & Moolawatana Access to North Mulga 40.94 km S 188° 35 min
North Mulga to Paralana Outstation 16.25 km SW 238° 13 min
Paralana Outstation to Wooltana 20.64 km SW 221° 18 min
Wooltana to Balcanoona 18.2 km SW 220° 19 min
Balcanoona to Arkaroola 25.55 km N 15° 24 min
Arkaroola to Devils Slide 2.44 km NW 334° 2 min
Devils Slide to Arkaroola Village 2.12 km W 283° 2 min
Innamincka to Arkaroola Village 427.43 km     6 hr 47 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.

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Strzelecki Track - The Outback Travellers Guide
Series 1 Fourteen stripmaps break the Strzelecki Track into identifiable sections giving travellers information on regional roads, fuel, water, landmarks, accommodation, waypoints and much more. Each strip is accompanied by photographs of scenes along that section of track.
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This magnificent area of outback Australia stretches from Betoota in the north, through Birdsville and south to Marree. The map also covers routes from Birdsville to Innamincka and Cameron Corner to Tibooburra in NSW, a popular entry point to this region north of Broken Hill.
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