Strzelecki Track — Innamincka to Lyndhurst via the Cooper Creek Desert Corridor (Classic Full Traverse)
Burke and Wills died here. You don't have to.
Burke and Wills camped at Innamincka in 1861 and died there. That history sits on you the whole drive south. The Strzelecki Track runs roughly 460km from Innamincka on Cooper Creek down through Montecollina Bore and Lyndhurst, crossing dune after dune of deep red sand and wide gibber plains that rattle your teeth loose. The turn-off into Moomba gas fields mid-route is your only real landmark of civilisation. Montecollina Bore is worth a stop — free hot artesian water flowing in the middle of nowhere. The track is unsealed throughout, and the corrugations after rain can be savage enough to shake bolts loose over a long day’s run.
This is genuine remote outback. Two spare tyres minimum, 200-plus litres of fuel capacity, and enough water for three days independent of resupply — those aren’t suggestions. A reliable high-clearance 4WD with recovery gear is the floor, not the ceiling. May through September is the window; summer temps push 50°C and the track floods in heavy rain. No phone service between towns. Fuel at Innamincka and Lyndhurst; nothing between. What you get: solitude, brutal beauty, and a very honest conversation with your rig.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Moderate |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | High Clearance, Overland Route |
| Surface | Dirt, Gravel, Sand |
| Features | Camping, Historic, Remote, Scenic |
| Length (miles) | 286 mi / 460 km |
| Duration | 2-3 days |
| Max elevation (ft) | 820 ft |
| Best season | May-September |
| Minimum vehicle | High-clearance 4WD with long-range fuel |
| Nearest town | Innamincka, South Australia |
| Land manager | SA Department for Environment and Water / Private Station Land |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | No |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Official sources | SA Parks – Strzelecki Regional Reserve Outback Roads Track Conditions |
| Verified | |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
| Copy both for Google Maps directionsClick to copy the directions URL · or open it directly in a new tab | |
| Find on Google | Search on Google → |
Location
Trail Conditions
No recent condition reports. Be the first to post one.
Frequently asked questions
Can a standard Hilux or Land Cruiser do the Strzelecki Track without a lift?
Yes — stock high-clearance 4WDs handle it fine in dry conditions. The track isn't technically brutal, but corrugations, soft sand dunes, and sharp gibber rock make a bash plate, good all-terrain tyres, and at least 200mm clearance non-negotiable. A lift helps but isn't the difference-maker — recovery gear and a long-range tank are.
Is the Strzelecki Track open in summer?
Technically open, but summer (October–April) is genuinely dangerous — air temps regularly hit 50°C, the track turns into a bog after rain, and there's zero shade for 460km. May through September is the window. Don't push it into October unless you're prepared for heat that kills engines and people.
Do you need a permit to drive the Strzelecki Track?
No permit required for the main track itself, but sections cross private station land — stay on the designated route. The Strzelecki Regional Reserve has no entry fee. Check current track conditions with the South Australian Outback Roads authority before you leave, as flood closures happen fast and without warning.
What's the hardest section of the full traverse and what should I expect?
The dune crossings north of Montecollina Bore are the most demanding — loose red sand, blind crests, and no run-up room. In wet conditions these sections can strand you for days. Drop tyre pressure to 18–22 PSI for the dune country and don't attempt them after any recent rain without confirming conditions first.
How much fuel do I need, and where can I actually refuel?
Innamincka at the north end and Lyndhurst at the south are your only guaranteed fuel stops — that's the full 460km with nothing in between. Carry a minimum of 150 litres total capacity. Fuel at Innamincka can run out or be unavailable, so top up in Innamincka only after confirming supply, and treat every litre as critical.
Trail track
No GPX track for this trail yet. If you've driven it and have a track, contribute below.
Log in to contribute a GPX track.