Old Dunmarra Track (Hay River Track)
Flat, sandy, and brutally remote NT outback.
The Hay River Track runs roughly 280 km between Dunmarra on the Stuart Highway and Top Springs in the Northern Territory, passing through spinifex plains, dry creek beds, and country so flat and featureless that a broken axle becomes a survival situation fast. This is old droving and mustering country — remote stations and stock routes that saw far harder use on horseback than any modern 4WD. Sandy creek crossings and deep bulldust holes are the main technical challenges, less about brute technical difficulty and more about relentless punishment on your gear and your tyres.
Don’t let the modest difficulty rating fool you — the remoteness is genuine Expert-level commitment. You must carry minimum fuel for 350 km, two full-size spares, and enough water for several days. There is zero phone coverage and no roadside help. Best travelled dry season, May to September. Notify someone with your plans and carry a satellite communicator — this is non-negotiable. The payoff is pure NT isolation: red dirt, wedge-tails circling overhead, and sunsets that make the whole thing worth it.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Difficult |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Backcountry, High Clearance, Overland Route |
| Surface | Dirt, Mixed, Sand |
| Features | Camping, Historic, Remote |
| Length (miles) | 174 mi / 280 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 | Dunmarra, Northern Territory |
| Land manager | Northern Territory Department of Infrastructure, Planning and Logistics |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | No |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Official sources | NT Government – Remote & 4WD Roads |
| 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
What's the minimum vehicle setup to run the Old Dunmarra Track?
High-clearance 4WD is non-negotiable — soft sand sections will swallow anything less. You'll also need a long-range fuel setup; there are no fuel stops along the 280 km route, so carry enough for the full run plus a buffer.
When is the Old Dunmarra Track passable and what closes it?
May through September is the reliable window — the dry season keeps the track firm enough to run. The wet season (October–April) turns sections into impassable bog and can leave you stranded for days with no rescue in reach.
Do you need a permit to drive the Old Dunmarra Track?
No permit is required for the track itself, but check the NT Government's remote roads page before you leave as conditions and temporary closures can be issued by the Northern Territory Department of Infrastructure, Planning and Logistics. No entry fee applies.
What's the hardest part of this trail and what should I expect?
The deep, loose sand sections are the consistent challenge — not technical rock work, but sustained soft sand that will deflate tyres, cook a transmission in low range, and exhaust a poorly set up rig. The real danger is the sheer remoteness; a breakdown here means you're on your own until someone finds you.
Is there any cell service or emergency communication along the route?
Zero cell service for the entire 280 km — a satellite communicator (InReach, SPOT, or PLB) is not optional on this track, it's survival gear. Let someone know your full itinerary and expected check-in times before you depart Dunmarra.
Trail track
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