Oodnadatta Track: route guide

The track runs roughly north-west from Marree, on the edge of the Flinders Ranges, to Marla on the Stuart Highway. It shadows the old Ghan railway and the Overland Telegraph line, so the route is dotted with sidings, ruins and repeater stations rather than towns.

There is no sealed road along the track. Marree and Marla are the two highway gateways; William Creek and Oodnadatta are the only settlements of any size in between. Mobile coverage is patchy to absent, so download offline maps before you leave.

Distances below are road distances along the track, not straight lines. Times assume a loaded vehicle on gravel at 60–80 km/h with photo and fuel stops; add time for side trips.

The Marree–William Creek leg crosses the plains south of Lake Eyre and passes the old Ghan sidings at Callanna and Alberrie Creek, plus the Mutonia sculpture park near Alberrie Creek. William Creek is the turn-off for Lake Eyre flights and the 4WD run to the lake itself.

From William Creek the track runs north past the mound springs — The Bubbler and Blanche Cup are the two most visited — and the Algebuckina Bridge, the longest bridge in South Australia, before reaching Oodnadatta. The final leg to Marla crosses the Painted Desert country and joins the Stuart Highway.

April to September is the practical window: daytime temperatures are workable, nights are cold, and the track is usually dry. October and March can be hot but are still possible with early starts.

Summer (December–February) brings extreme heat and a real risk on a remote gravel road with long gaps between help. Rain is the bigger hazard at any time of year: the track crosses clay pans and creek beds that turn to bog and can close the road for days. Check the road status with the local council or South Australia's outback road reports before you commit, and again at Marree.

Accommodation is limited to the settlements and a few station stays. Marree has a hotel and caravan park; William Creek has a hotel and campground; Oodnadatta has a hotel, a roadhouse and camping. Marla, at the northern end, has motel and caravan options on the Stuart Highway.

Bush camping is possible on some pastoral stations and in some roadside areas, but much of the land either side of the track is pastoral lease or Aboriginal land, so camp only where it is allowed. Book ahead in the cooler months, when the track is busiest, and carry your own water whatever you do.

This is remote driving, not a sealed-highway trip. Carry more water than you think you need — a minimum of 5 litres per person per day is a common outback rule of thumb — plus food, a spare tyre, a jack that works on your vehicle, and a way to communicate when there is no signal.

Fuel up at every opportunity: Marree, William Creek, Oodnadatta and Marla all have fuel, but hours can be limited and prices are high. A 2WD car is fine in dry conditions; a 4WD is only needed for side trips such as the run to Lake Eyre from William Creek. Tell someone your route and expected arrival time, and check the road status before each leg.