Conrod Straight to Innamincka — Strzelecki Track Desert Crossing via Montecollina Bore
Burke and Wills didn't make it. You might.
The Strzelecki Track runs roughly 460 kilometres from Lyndhurst in South Australia’s northern outback to Innamincka on the Queensland border, threading through the heart of the Strzelecki Desert — a landscape of longitudinal red sand dunes, gibber plains, and the occasional bore drain that marks where artesian water gets close enough to smell. The track follows the approximate route of the 1860–61 Burke and Wills expedition; Cooper Creek at Innamincka is exactly where that party collapsed. Montecollina Bore, roughly midpoint, is a critical water source and the only reliable fuel stop does not exist between Lyndhurst and Innamincka — carry all of it. The dunes are mostly crossable with deflated tyres on a dry track, but rain turns the clay sections between dunes into wheel-sucking traps that have swallowed caravans whole.
This is a remote desert crossing that rewards experience and punishes optimism. A capable 4WD — locked diffs, recovery gear, UHF, PLB, and minimum 200 litres of fuel and 50 litres of water — is the bare minimum. Best season is April through September; summer temperatures regularly exceed 50°C and make a breakdown a life-threatening event. No permits are needed but register your trip with SA Police. The reward is a raw stretch of outback that still feels genuinely remote, crowned by arriving at Innamincka, cold beer in hand, knowing Burke and Wills weren’t so lucky.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Difficult |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | High Clearance, Overland Route |
| Surface | Dirt, Gravel, Sand |
| Features | Camping, Historic, Remote, Scenic |
| Length (miles) | 286 mi / 460 km |
| Duration | 3-5 days |
| Max elevation (ft) | 1050 ft |
| Best season | April-September |
| Minimum vehicle | 4WD with locked diffs, full recovery kit |
| Nearest town | Innamincka, South Australia |
| Land manager | South Australian Department for Environment and Water / Outback Communities Authority |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | No |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Official sources | SA Parks – Strzelecki Regional Reserve Outback Roads – Strzelecki Track |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
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Location
Trail Conditions
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Frequently asked questions
Can a stock Hilux or Land Cruiser handle this without a lift?
A stock 4WD with decent ground clearance can manage it, but you need locking diffs — open differentials will leave you buried in the soft sand dune crossings around the Strzelecki dunefield. A suspension lift helps but isn't the critical factor; lockers and aired-down tyres (around 18-20 PSI) are what actually get you through.
Is this trail accessible year-round or does it close seasonally?
April through September is the only realistic window — summer temperatures regularly exceed 50°C (122°F) and have killed people. After heavy rainfall, sections become impassable bog and the track can close without notice; check current road conditions with the Outback Roads SA hotline before you leave.
Do I need a permit to drive the Strzelecki Track through Strzelecki Regional Reserve?
No permit is required to transit the track, but if you're camping within the Strzelecki Regional Reserve boundaries, a free or low-cost recreation pass may apply — check with SA Parks before departure. Montecollina Bore area has no entry fee but is remote public land, not a managed campground.
What's the hardest section and what should I actually expect?
The dunefield stretch south of Montecollina Bore is where rigs get stuck — the dunes are steep-sided, loose, and unforgiving if you lose momentum. Expect to read each dune before you commit, and have your recovery gear — MaxTrax, snatch strap, and a hi-lift — accessible, not buried under gear in the back.
How much fuel do I need and where's the last reliable fuel stop?
Lyndhurst is your last guaranteed fuel before the track begins — from there to Innamincka is roughly 460 km with no resupply, so you need a minimum 200-litre fuel capacity between your tank and jerry cans. Innamincka has fuel but treat it as an emergency buffer, not a plan — carry enough to do the whole run independently.
Trail track
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