Travel guide
Anne Beadell Highway: route guide
Allow 5–7 days for the full 1,340 km (833 mi) Coober Pedy–Laverton crossing, or 3–4 days if you only drive the South Australian half. Do it in the Australian winter (May–September) with a 4WD, a satellite phone and enough fuel and water for the whole run; outside that window, or without that kit, skip it.Allow 5–7 days for the full 833 mi (1,340 km) Coober Pedy–Laverton crossing, or 3–4 days if you only drive the South Australian half. Do it in the Australian winter (May–September) with a 4WD, a satellite phone and enough fuel and water for the whole run; outside that window, or without that kit, skip it.
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- Plan calculated
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Key facts
- Length
- About 1,340 km, Coober Pedy (SA) to Laverton (WA)
- Typical timecheck
- 5–7 days end to end; 3–4 days for the SA section
- Best season
- Australian winter, roughly May–September
- Vehicle
- High-clearance 4WD only; no caravans or 2WD
- Fuel and water
- Carry your own for the full crossing; no services between Coober Pedy and Laverton
- Comms
- Satellite phone or personal locator beacon; no mobile coverage
- Permitscheck
- Check current access rules for the Great Victoria Desert and Woomera area before you go
- Traffic
- Up to about 8 vehicles a day in high season
Map and orientation
The track runs west from Coober Pedy across the Great Victoria Desert to Laverton, roughly 400 km north of the Eyre Highway. It is the only direct link between Coober Pedy and Western Australia, and it crosses the SA–WA border about two-thirds of the way along.
There are no towns, no fuel and no phone signal between the two ends. Treat the whole run as one self-contained unit: everything you need goes in the vehicle at Coober Pedy. Navigation is by GPS track and paper map, not by signage — junctions are unmarked and some are faint.
- East end: Coober Pedy, on the Stuart Highway (A87)
- West end: Laverton, on the Laverton–Leonora road
- Mid-point: the SA–WA border, no facilities
- Nearest alternative sealed route: the Eyre Highway, about 400 km south
The stages
Distances below are approximate and the driving times assume a loaded 4WD on rough corrugated track, not sealed-road speeds. Corrugations between Mabel Creek Station and the SA border are the worst section; dropping tyre pressures helps comfort and grip.
Plan short days. On this track a 200 km day is a full day, and the light goes early in winter.
| Stage | Approx. km | Driving time |
|---|---|---|
| Coober Pedy to Mabel Creek Station | 40 | 1–1.5 h |
| Mabel Creek Station to SA–WA border | 600 | 3–4 days |
| SA–WA border to Laverton | 700 | 3–4 days |
| Total, Coober Pedy to Laverton | 1,340 | 5–7 days |
Distances are approximate; check current track conditions locally before departure.
When to go
The Australian winter, roughly May to September, is the only sensible window. Summer temperatures in the Great Victoria Desert are dangerous, and the track is at its worst after rain, when sections turn to mud and can close for days.
Even in winter, nights drop close to or below freezing and days can still be hot. Check rainfall and track status in the weeks before you leave, and build in a spare day or two — a single rain event can strand you.
Where to stay
There is no accommodation along the track. You camp, and you camp self-sufficiently: everything you carry in, you carry out.
At the ends, Coober Pedy has hotels, motels, campgrounds and underground stays, plus service stations, supermarkets, doctors and pharmacies — use it to prepare and to rest before the crossing. Laverton is small but has a hotel and motel, a campground, a service station and a small hospital.
- Coober Pedy: full services, underground accommodation, opal mine tours
- Laverton: hotel, motel, campground, service station, small hospital
- Between them: bush camping only, no facilities
Preparation
This is a remote desert track, not a scenic drive. Go with a well-maintained high-clearance 4WD, at least two spare tyres, a compressor, recovery gear and enough fuel and water for the full distance plus a margin. Carry a satellite phone or personal locator beacon; there is no mobile coverage.
Wildlife is a real hazard. Kangaroos and emus cross in front of vehicles, camels will use the track and may not move, and reptiles warm themselves on the surface. Slow down, especially at dawn and dusk.
If you break down or crash, stay with your vehicle — it is far easier to spot from the air than a person on foot. Check current access and permit requirements for the Woomera area and the Great Victoria Desert before you set out.
Questions people ask
How long does Anne Beadell Highway take?
Allow 5–7 days for the full 1,340 km from Coober Pedy to Laverton, driving short days on rough track. If you only drive the South Australian half, 3–4 days is realistic. Add spare days for weather and breakdowns.
When is the best time to do Anne Beadell Highway?
The Australian winter, roughly May to September. Summer heat in the Great Victoria Desert is dangerous, and the track becomes muddy and can close after rain. Check track conditions in the weeks before you go.
Where should I stay along Anne Beadell Highway?
There is no accommodation on the track — you bush camp and must be fully self-sufficient. At the ends, Coober Pedy has hotels, motels and campgrounds, and Laverton has a hotel, motel and campground.
Do I need a 4WD for Anne Beadell Highway?
Yes. It is a rough dirt track with corrugations and soft sections, and it is not suitable for 2WD vehicles or caravans. Carry at least two spare tyres, recovery gear and a compressor.
Is there phone signal or fuel on Anne Beadell Highway?
No. There is no mobile coverage and no fuel between Coober Pedy and Laverton. Carry a satellite phone or personal locator beacon, and enough fuel and water for the whole crossing plus a margin.
Deep dive
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