Strzelecki Track — Lyndhurst to Innamincka via the Sturt Stony Desert
Burke and Wills country, no shortcuts.
The Strzelecki Track has been chewing up vehicles since pastoralists first pushed cattle through this country in the 1800s. You leave the bitumen at Lyndhurst in South Australia’s north Flinders Ranges and immediately commit to one of the continent’s most unforgiving corridors — 460 km of corrugated dirt, loose gibber rock, and red dune crossings through the Strzelecki Desert to Innamincka on Cooper Creek. The jump-up at Montecollina Bore is a classic gut-check moment, and the final dune fields before the Cooper are the kind of terrain that reveals whether your gear is actually sorted or just looks good on Instagram.
This is a remote outback overland route, not a weekend scratch. Minimum two high-clearance 4WDs travelling together, 150-litre-plus fuel capacity, and enough water for at least five days in case of breakdown — there is no help out here. The RAA and NRMA both recommend satellite communicators as non-negotiable. Best season is April to September; summer temperatures regularly exceed 48°C and tracks flood unpredictably after rain. Innamincka Trading Post is the only resupply. You’ll cross into Queensland briefly near the Cooper, where Burke and Wills met their end. This route earns its place in every serious overlander’s logbook.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Difficult |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Backcountry, High Clearance, Overland Route |
| Surface | Dirt, Gravel, Mixed, Sand |
| Features | Camping, Historic, Remote, Scenic |
| Length (miles) | 286 mi / 460 km |
| Duration | 3-5 days |
| Max elevation (ft) | 820 ft |
| Best season | April-September |
| Minimum vehicle | High-clearance 4WD with long-range fuel |
| Nearest town | Innamincka, South Australia |
| Land manager | South Australian Department for Environment and Water / Innamincka Regional Reserve |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | No |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Official sources | environment.sa.gov.au |
| 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 4WD with standard suspension handle the Strzelecki Track?
A stock high-clearance 4WD can manage it, but expect corrugations and loose gibber rock to punish standard suspension hard. A lift, good all-terrain tyres with at least one full-size spare, and reinforced sidewalls are strongly advisable — this isn't a trail to test untested equipment on.
When is the Strzelecki Track passable, and what happens if it rains?
April through September is the reliable window — cooler temps and lower flood risk. After rain, sections of the track can become impassable clay that will swallow a vehicle; the road can close without warning and stay shut for days. Check conditions with the SA Outback Road Conditions hotline before you leave Lyndhurst.
Do you need a permit to drive the Strzelecki Track and camp along it?
No permit is required to drive the track itself, but once you enter the Innamincka Regional Reserve at the northern end, a park entry fee applies — currently paid on arrival or via the SA National Parks app. Dispersed camping is allowed along the route outside reserve boundaries; inside the reserve, use designated sites.
What's the hardest section of the Strzelecki Track and what makes it serious?
The red sand dune crossings in the mid-to-northern section are the biggest technical challenge — soft sand, side angles, and limited recovery room. Deflate to around 18–22 PSI, carry a compressor and sand tracks, and don't attempt dune crests late in the afternoon when shadows kill your depth perception.
How much fuel do I need to carry, and is there any resupply between Lyndhurst and Innamincka?
The full run is 460 km with zero guaranteed fuel stops — the Moomba gas facility is not public. Carry a minimum 500 km range including a buffer for soft sand detours; long-range tanks or multiple jerry cans are not optional here. Innamincka at the northern end has fuel, but confirm availability before departing as stock can run out.
Trail track
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