Strzelecki Track — Innamincka to Lyndhurst via the Strzelecki Desert
Burke and Wills country, red dunes, zero mercy.
The Strzelecki Track runs roughly 460 km between Innamincka in South Australia’s Channel Country and Lyndhurst on the edge of the Flinders Ranges. It follows near the same corridor Robert O’Hara Burke and William John Wills stumbled through in 1861, and the country hasn’t softened much since. You’ll cross countless red sand dunes that run perpendicular to the track, navigate corrugated sections that will rattle fillings loose, and pass through Montecollina Bore and Montecollina Station country where the only horizon is more desert. The track parallels Strzelecki Creek for stretches, and when it floods, the whole thing becomes impassable clay — check conditions with the South Australian Outback before you leave.
This is a high-clearance 4WD route year-round, but experienced overlanders with recovery gear, dual spare tyres, and a minimum of 100 litres of extra fuel treat it with respect. Fuel is available at Innamincka and Lyndhurst only — nothing reliable in between. Water must be carried; outback bores are not drinking sources. Best season is autumn to early spring (April to September); summer heat regularly exceeds 45°C and turns the track lethal. Satellite comms are non-negotiable. The payoff is raw, unfiltered Australian desert solitude and some of the best red-dune scenery on earth.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Difficult |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Overland Route |
| Surface | Dirt, Gravel, Sand |
| Features | Camping, Historic, Remote, Scenic |
| Length (miles) | 286 mi / 460 km |
| Duration | 3-5 days |
| Max elevation (ft) | 620 ft |
| Best season | April-September |
| Minimum vehicle | High-clearance 4WD with recovery gear |
| Nearest town | Innamincka, SA |
| Land manager | South Australia Department for Environment and Water |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | No |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Official sources | SA Parks – Strzelecki Regional Reserve SA Outback Road Conditions |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
| Copy both for Google Maps directionsClick to copy the directions URL · or open it directly in a new tab | |
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Location
Trail Conditions
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Frequently asked questions
What's the minimum vehicle setup needed to drive the Strzelecki Track?
High-clearance 4WD is non-negotiable — the sand dunes and corrugated sections will stop a 2WD or soft-roader cold. Bring a compressor, snatch strap, and MaxTrax at minimum; a dual battery and long-range tank are strongly advised given the fuel distances involved.
When is the Strzelecki Track actually passable, and what closes it?
April through September is the reliable window — cooler temps and lower flood risk. Summer heat regularly hits 50°C and can boil a radiator or kill a person; heavy rain at any time of year can make creek crossings impassable for days, sometimes weeks.
Do you need a permit to drive the Strzelecki Track?
No permit is required to drive the main track, but you're passing through Strzelecki Regional Reserve and must comply with SA National Parks regulations — no firewood collection, stay on formed tracks. Check current road conditions and any closures with the SA Department for Environment and Water before departure.
What's the hardest section and what should I actually expect?
The dune crossings north of Montecollina Bore are where things get real — steep, loose red sand faces that punish hesitation and wrong tyre pressures. Drop to around 18–20 PSI on the dunes, maintain momentum, and don't attempt them at midday in any season if you can avoid it.
How far is it between fuel stops, and is there any cell service on the track?
Fuel is available at Innamincka and Lyndhurst at either end, with Moomba (not always public-accessible) in between — treat this as a 460 km self-supported run and carry a minimum 150–200 litres of fuel. There is zero mobile coverage along the entire track; an EPIRB or satellite communicator like a Garmin inReach is not optional out here.
Trail track
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