Anne Beadell Highway — Coober Pedy to Laverton via Emu Field and Neale Junction
Beadell's grader line through the Great Victoria Desert
Len Beadell pushed this track through the Great Victoria Desert with a grader and a Land Rover in 1962 and 1963, and named it for his wife. Out of Coober Pedy you cross the Stuart Highway country and drop onto red dirt that doesn’t quit. You pass Emu Field, where Britain detonated its first atomic bombs on Australian soil. You run the Maralinga lands and then wind through endless parallel dunes. Neale Junction, roughly mid-route, is where the Connie Sue Highway crosses and most people stop to camp and take stock. Past the Serpentine Lakes and Tomkinson Ranges, the dunes finally flatten out toward Laverton and the Goldfields.
This is a Moderate drive on paper and a serious commitment in practice. The dunes are short and steep with soft lee sides, and the corrugations will shake a bad suspension to pieces. Run a high-clearance 4WD with proper recovery gear, a sat phone or HF radio, and 1,000+ km of fuel range, because there’s no reliable fuel between the ends. Carry all your water. Permits are required for Aboriginal lands and prohibited areas along the way. Go May to September. Summer heat out here is lethal. You get a Simpson-sized silence without the crowds. Have a dirty day.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Moderate |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Overland Route |
| Surface | Sand |
| Features | Camping, Historic, Remote |
| Length (miles) | 839 mi / 1350 km |
| Duration | 5-8 days |
| Max elevation (ft) | 1700 ft |
| Best season | May-September |
| Minimum vehicle | High-clearance 4WD with recovery gear and long-range fuel |
| Nearest town | Coober Pedy, South Australia |
| Land manager | Maralinga Tjarutja, Spinifex Lands and WA DBCA (Great Victoria Desert reserves) |
| Permit required | Yes |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | No |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Official sources | Maralinga Tjarutja permits |
| 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
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Frequently asked questions
Can a stock 4Runner or similar mid-size SUV do the Anne Beadell Highway?
Yes, if it's a well-maintained 4WD with decent all-terrain tires, a full-size spare (preferably two), and recovery gear. The challenge is the 1,350 km of remote sand, corrugations, and fuel range rather than technical obstacles. A stock vehicle needs a long-range tank or jerry cans and tires aired down for the dunes.
When is the best time to drive the Anne Beadell Highway?
May to September, when daytime temperatures are manageable and the sand is firmer. Summer regularly exceeds 40°C and puts you and your vehicle at real risk with no cell service and few other travelers. Heavy rain can turn clay pans and low sections impassable for days.
Do I need permits for the Anne Beadell Highway, and who issues them?
Yes. The route crosses Maralinga Tjarutja land, Spinifex Lands, and WA reserves managed by DBCA, so get your permits before you leave. Apply well in advance through the Maralinga Tjarutja website and check each land manager's current requirements, as conditions and processing times change.
What's the hardest part of the Anne Beadell Highway?
The sand dunes and long stretches of corrugations in the Great Victoria Desert, especially in the western half, are what catch people out. Dunes are manageable with low tire pressures and steady momentum, but you'll want a recovery kit, a shovel, and traction boards. Soft sand on steep dune faces can bog you if you lose speed.
Where can I get fuel along the Anne Beadell Highway, and is there cell service?
There's no cell service anywhere on the route, so carry a satellite communicator or sat phone. Fuel is extremely limited between Coober Pedy and Laverton, so plan to carry enough for the full distance plus a reserve. If you intend to rely on Ilkurlka Roadhouse in WA, confirm it's open and has fuel before you go.
Trail track
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