Old Dunmarra Track (Tablelands Way)
Black soil, zero mercy, real outback.
The Old Dunmarra Track is the kind of road that separates people who overland from people who say they do. Cutting south-west from Dunmarra on the Stuart Highway across to Daly Waters, this track traverses some of the most featureless and unforgiving black soil country in the Northern Territory. When it’s dry it’s a corrugated slog through brittle Mitchell grass plains. When it’s wet — even slightly — the black soil turns to an axle-deep clay trap that has swallowed many a vehicle whole. There are no facilities, no fuel, and no rescue services within any reasonable distance. The track is roughly 160 kilometres and most of it looks exactly the same, which has a way of sharpening your concentration.
This is an expert-level route, not because of rocks or steep climbs, but because of the isolation, the surface conditions, and the consequences of a breakdown or a misjudgement about the season. You need a fully equipped 4WD, dual fuel tanks or a large jerry can setup, and enough water for multiple days if things go wrong. Best tackled in the heart of the dry season — June through August. The NT Government road report line is your first call before attempting it. Recovery gear including traction boards and a high-lift jack are essential. No permit required, but tell someone your plan before you leave.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Expert |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Backcountry, High Clearance, Overland Route |
| Surface | Dirt, Mixed |
| Features | Camping, Remote |
| Length (miles) | 99 mi / 160 km |
| Duration | 1-2 days |
| Max elevation (ft) | 1050 ft |
| Best season | June-August |
| Minimum vehicle | Fully equipped high-clearance 4WD, dual tanks |
| Nearest town | Dunmarra, Northern Territory |
| Land manager | Northern Territory Department of Infrastructure, Planning and Logistics |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | No |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Official sources | NT Road Report |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
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Location
Trail Conditions
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Frequently asked questions
What kind of vehicle do I actually need for Old Dunmarra Track?
A fully equipped high-clearance 4WD with dual tanks is the minimum — this is not a trail for stock vehicles or anything with standard clearance. Recovery gear, a dual battery setup, and a sat comms device are non-negotiable on 160km of remote black soil country.
When is the track actually passable?
June through August is the only reliable window — the dry season keeps the black soil manageable. Outside of that, the floodplains turn the track into an impassable bog with no warning, and it can stay closed for weeks after rain.
Do I need a permit to drive Old Dunmarra Track?
No permit is required, but check the NT Road Report (ntlis.nt.gov.au/roadreport/) before you leave — the Northern Territory Department of Infrastructure, Planning and Logistics can close this track with little notice and fines apply for driving a closed road.
What's the hardest section and what should I expect?
The black soil floodplain crossings are where this trail earns its expert rating — even in the dry season, the surface can be deceptively soft and will swallow a vehicle that loses momentum. Corrugations, undefined track lines, and zero assistance within range mean a mistake here has real consequences.
How much fuel do I need, and is there water along the track?
Dunmarra Roadhouse is your last fuel stop before the track and Daly Waters Pub has fuel at the other end — the 160km between them has nothing, so dual tanks are not optional. There is no reliable potable water on the track; carry all you need for the full duration plus emergency reserves.
Trail track
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