Oodnadatta Track — Marree to Marla via the Old Ghan Railway Corridor
The outback classic that eats the unprepared.
The Oodnadatta Track runs 615 km through the heart of the Australian outback, linking Marree in South Australia north to Marla on the Stuart Highway. Named after the town at its midpoint, this legendary route follows the bed of the old Ghan railway — a line abandoned in 1980 — past artesian mound springs, dry lake beds, and the bleached ruins of old railway sidings. Coward Springs, a warm artesian pool in the middle of absolute nowhere, is one of the track’s unmissable stops. The route crosses the edge of the Simpson Desert basin and skirts Lake Eyre country, and the Pink Roadhouse in Oodnadatta is the sole fuel and resupply point mid-route — do not skip it.
This is a Moderate track in dry conditions but can become impassable in wet weather when the clay sections turn to pure glue. A high-clearance 4WD is recommended, though the track is doable in a capable AWD when dry. Carry at least 200 litres of fuel, significant water reserves, and a satellite communicator — help is a long way off. Best run April to September. The SA outback heat from November to February is genuinely dangerous. No permit required, but register your trip with the South Australian Police as a precaution.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Moderate |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Overland Route |
| Surface | Dirt, Gravel, Sand |
| Features | Camping, Historic, Remote, Scenic |
| Length (miles) | 382 mi / 615 km |
| Duration | 3-5 days |
| Max elevation (ft) | 1050 ft |
| Best season | April-September |
| Minimum vehicle | High-clearance 4WD recommended |
| Nearest town | Oodnadatta, SA |
| Land manager | South Australian Department for Infrastructure and Transport |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | No |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Official sources | Outback SA official track page SA Government outback roads info |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
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Location
Trail Conditions
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Frequently asked questions
Can a stock Landcruiser 200 or Patrol handle this without a lift?
Yes, a stock high-clearance 4WD is fine in normal dry conditions. The track is mostly graded dirt and gravel, not technical rock work — the risk is sand, corrugations, and sharp gibber stones chewing tyres, not clearance. Run at least one full-size spare, preferably two.
What happens to the track after rain?
It closes. The South Australian Department for Infrastructure and Transport shuts sections when wet — claypans turn to axle-deep mud that will swallow a vehicle whole. Check road conditions at 1300 361 033 or the SA Government road conditions site before you leave Marree. Don't gamble on this one.
Do you need a permit to drive the Oodnadatta Track?
No permit required for the main track itself. Some adjacent station land and Aboriginal lands nearby have access restrictions, so if you're planning side trips off the main corridor, check before you go. No entry fees on the track.
What's the hardest section and what makes it tough?
The stretch between William Creek and Oodnadatta is the most demanding — heavy corrugations, loose sand sections, and genuine remoteness with no help nearby if something goes wrong. It's not technically difficult but it's punishing on vehicle and gear over distance. Slow down or corrugations will shake your rig apart.
How far apart are fuel stops, and is there reliable fuel the whole way?
Fuel is available at Marree, William Creek, Oodnadatta, and Marla — gaps run roughly 200 km apart. Carry enough to do 400+ km between fills in case a roadhouse is out of stock, which genuinely happens in the outback. Cash is useful; card facilities are not guaranteed at remote stops.
Trail track
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