Tanami Track
1000km of red dirt and endless sky
The red dirt stretches endlessly in every direction, broken only by the twin ruts of the Tanami Track disappearing into heat shimmer ahead. This 621-mile dirt highway cuts straight through Australia’s Tanami Desert from Halls Creek, Western Australia, to Alice Springs, Northern Territory—a route that aboriginal traders walked for thousands of years before prospectors and cattlemen carved wheel tracks through the scrub. You’re driving through country where the nearest neighbor might be 200 miles away and your cell phone became a paperweight the moment you left town.
The Tanami Track demands respect but won’t break a properly prepared rig. Any stock 4WD with decent ground clearance can handle the route, though you’ll want all-terrain tires and a full-size spare. The track runs mostly on packed dirt and gravel with washouts, sand patches, and the occasional rocky section to keep things interesting. Rabbit Flat Roadhouse sits roughly halfway through—Australia’s most remote fuel stop where diesel costs twice what you’d pay in Perth and the proprietor stocks everything from tire plugs to cold beer. The elevation gain stays mild at 1,200 feet, topping out around 2,100 feet, but don’t let the numbers fool you. This desert will test your preparation, not your driving skills.
Plan for three to four days minimum with extra fuel, water, and food. The dry season from May through September offers the only sensible window—summer temperatures hit 120°F and can kill the unprepared. Water crossings are rare but can turn deadly during the wet season when flash floods transform dry creek beds into torrents. Dispersed camping is allowed throughout, and you’ll find established sites with fire rings near old mining camps and cattle stations. Bring everything you need because the next resupply could be days away.
The Tanami Track isn’t about technical driving—it’s about crossing a continent the hard way. You’ll drive for hours seeing nothing but red earth, spinifex grass, and endless sky, then crest a rise to find a mob of wild camels or the ruins of a gold rush town slowly returning to dust. This route teaches patience, self-reliance, and the humbling scale of Australia’s interior. You finish the Tanami Track with empty fuel tanks, red dust in every crevice of your vehicle, and stories that sound impossible to anyone who’s never driven Australia’s back roads. Have a dirty day.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Moderate |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Overland Route |
| Surface | Dirt |
| Features | Camping, Historic, Remote |
| Length (miles) | 621 mi / 1000 km |
| Duration | 3-4 days |
| Max elevation (ft) | 2100 ft |
| Best season | May-September |
| Minimum vehicle | 4WD high-clearance |
| Nearest town | Halls Creek, WA |
| Land manager | Various state agencies |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | No |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| 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
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Frequently asked questions
Can a stock Land Cruiser 200 Series handle the Tanami Track without modifications?
A stock 200 Series will get you through, but expect the corrugations to punish factory suspension hard over 1000km. Most experienced drivers add an aftermarket suspension lift and underbody armor — the rocky sections between Rabbit Flat and the NT border are unforgiving on stock bash plates.
When is the Tanami Track impassable and what closes it?
Avoid October through April — summer heat regularly hits 45°C+ and monsoonal rain turns sections into uncrossable mud. The track runs May through September; July and August are the sweet spot for cooler temps and firm, dry surface.
Are there permits required to drive the Tanami Track?
No permit is needed for the main track itself, but sections pass through Aboriginal Land Trust country — you must hold an Aboriginal Land Entry Permit from the Central Land Council if you plan to camp off the main corridor or access specific areas. Apply well in advance; approval is not guaranteed.
What's the hardest section and what should I actually expect?
The stretch between Rabbit Flat Roadhouse and Yuendumu is where the track earns its reputation — relentless washboard corrugations, soft sand patches, and zero assistance if something breaks. At moderate pace you're looking at 6-8 hours of concentration with no bailout option, so mechanical self-sufficiency is non-negotiable here.
How much fuel do I need to carry and where are the only fuel stops?
Rabbit Flat Roadhouse (roughly the halfway mark) is the only fuel stop on the track, and it operates limited hours — call ahead before you leave Halls Creek because it has been known to be closed without notice. Carry a minimum 200-litre fuel capacity total; running dry between Halls Creek and Alice Springs is a genuine emergency, not an inconvenience.
Trail track
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