Old Andado Track — Santa Teresa to Mac Clark Station via the Simpson Desert Edge
Red dune country. No services. Bring everything.
Old Andado is not a famous name on the tourist circuit and that’s exactly why it belongs in your trip planning. The track runs roughly 280 kilometres south from Santa Teresa (Ltyentye Apurte) community through the eastern fringe of the Simpson Desert to Mac Clark (Acacia peuce) Conservation Reserve and the crumbling Old Andado homestead — a ghost of the cattle-station era that Molly Clark ran solo well into the 1990s. The track crosses some of the finest red sand dune country in the Northern Territory, parallel dunefields running north-south that demand constant tyre pressure management and a driver who knows how to read crests. The corrugations between dunes are relentless and will shake loose anything that isn’t secured properly.
This is a serious remote traverse — 4WD essential, recovery gear mandatory, and a minimum of 200 extra litres of fuel and water because there is absolutely nothing out there. EPIRB or satellite communicator is non-negotiable. Permits are required to cross Aboriginal land through Santa Teresa — apply through the Central Land Council well in advance. Best season is April to September when temperatures are survivable; summer heat in this country will kill you and your vehicle. The reward is the real Australia: ochre dunes, mulga scrub, wedge-tailed eagles on every fence post, and the Old Andado homestead sitting perfectly alone at the edge of the desert like the land swallowed every ambition except endurance.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Expert |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Backcountry, Overland Route, Technical 4x4 |
| Surface | Dirt, Mixed, Sand |
| Features | Camping, Historic, Remote, Scenic |
| Length (miles) | 174 mi / 280 km |
| Duration | 3-5 days |
| Max elevation (ft) | 1870 ft |
| Best season | April-September |
| Minimum vehicle | Capable 4WD with recovery gear and long-range fuel/water |
| Nearest town | Santa Teresa (Ltyentye Apurte), NT |
| Land manager | Northern Territory Parks and Wildlife / Central Land Council |
| Permit required | Yes |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | No |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Official sources | NT Parks Mac Clark Conservation Reserve Central Land Council Permits |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
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| Find on Google | Search on Google → |
Location
Trail Conditions
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Frequently asked questions
Can a lifted Hilux or Land Cruiser on 33s handle this trail, or do I need something more serious?
A capable 4WD with a snorkel, decent suspension, and all-terrain or mud tires will get you through — the issue isn't articulation, it's preparation. You need a long-range tank or dual jerry cans for at least 400km of fuel, 20+ liters of water per person, and full recovery gear. A stock SUV with highway tires has no business out here.
When is the Old Andado Track actually passable?
April through September is the window — dry season, cooler temps, and the best chance of stable track conditions. Summer (October–March) brings extreme heat pushing 50°C and flash flooding that can make sections impassable for weeks with zero warning and no rescue coming quickly.
Do I need a permit to drive this route?
Yes. The track crosses Aboriginal land managed by the Central Land Council, and you need a Central Land Council transit permit before you go — get it at clc.org.au/permits. The Mac Clark Acacia Peuce Conservation Reserve at the end also has its own entry conditions through NT Parks. Sort both before you leave, not on the road.
What's the hardest section and what makes it nasty?
The corrugations between Santa Teresa and Old Andado Homestead are relentless and will shake bolts loose, crack welds, and destroy poorly packed loads over 174 miles. Add soft sand dune crossings near the Simpson Desert fringe where momentum management is everything — get stuck here with no comms and you're waiting on anyone who happens to pass, which could be days.
Is there any water or fuel along the route, or is it strictly self-sufficient?
Strictly self-sufficient — there are zero services, no fuel stops, and no reliable water sources between Santa Teresa and Mac Clark Station. Plan for the full 280km fuel load plus emergency reserve, and carry all your water from the start. A satellite communicator like a SPOT or Garmin inReach isn't optional out here, it's the difference between a bad day and a body recovery.
Trail track
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