Cooper Creek Crossing

This legendary creek crossing offers the Track’s best natural camping, with massive coolabah trees providing rare shade in the gibber plains. The creek usually holds water pools even in dry seasons, and the sandy banks make for comfortable camping. Multiple sites spread along the creek accommodate several rigs without crowding. Fires are generally permitted in established rings, but check current restrictions.

Located about 160km north of Marree, the crossing can be boggy after rain but is typically just soft sand requiring steady throttle. The trees here are ancient and massive — some of the largest coolabahs in South Australia. No facilities beyond what nature provides, so pack out everything. This is pastoral country, so respect station boundaries and stick to established camping areas.

Shaded creek camping under ancient coolabahs