Around 621 kms of unsealed km easy 4WD driving from Marla on the Stuart Highway to Marree ( beginning of the Birdsville Track) in South Australia.
The Oodnadatta Track takes you on an historical adventure along mostly good-quality graded gravel roads.
When we did the trip in 2010, it rained one night - that changes the road a lot. Very boggy and slippery in some areas and we had to be very careful with creek and small river crossings.
The Oodnadatta Track follows the old Ghan railway line that did run between Adelaide and Alice Springs.
The ruins of settlements and stone-fettlers' cottages, water tanks, viaducts, rail bridges and sidings appear regularly in this area of mound springs and artesian bores that figure significantly in Aboriginal history and mythology.
There is plently of camping areas to pull off and camp for the night or even a couple of nights. Also camping at Algebuckina Waterhole (very long historical bridge that crosses over the creek ) and Curdimurks Railway Station ruins. Coward Springs campground is an oasis in this driest part of Australia's arid zone, set amid wetlands and shrublands in the shade of tamarisks and date palms. Coward Springs campground have a natural artesian bore spa bath ( absolutely to die for after a long day driving ).
From William Creek, visitors can take joy flights out over Lake Eyre and surrounding areas.
Oodnadatta- (well that is another story). We personally found the town to be very untidy and messy with rubbish lying around everywhere. We were dissappointed in the town when we arrived, as we had heard of Oodnadatta for years. The famous "Pink Roadhouse" staff were very friendly and helpful.
The Old Ghan Railway line has lots of the old wooden rail sleepers alongside the track and passing motorists over the years have made signs up using the old sleepers. It was very entertaining working out what the signs messages some times.
Though this road is relatively straightforward, take note of Warnings and Essential Advice on Desert Crossing which visitors can collect from visitors centres prior to doing the track.
The Oodnadatta Track takes you on an historical adventure along mostly good-quality graded gravel roads.
When we did the trip in 2010, it rained one night - that changes the road a lot. Very boggy and slippery in some areas and we had to be very careful with creek and small river crossings.
The Oodnadatta Track follows the old Ghan railway line that did run between Adelaide and Alice Springs.
The ruins of settlements and stone-fettlers' cottages, water tanks, viaducts, rail bridges and sidings appear regularly in this area of mound springs and artesian bores that figure significantly in Aboriginal history and mythology.
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| Old Ghan Railway line over Algebuckina Waterhole |
There is plently of camping areas to pull off and camp for the night or even a couple of nights. Also camping at Algebuckina Waterhole (very long historical bridge that crosses over the creek ) and Curdimurks Railway Station ruins. Coward Springs campground is an oasis in this driest part of Australia's arid zone, set amid wetlands and shrublands in the shade of tamarisks and date palms. Coward Springs campground have a natural artesian bore spa bath ( absolutely to die for after a long day driving ).
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| Pink Roadhouse in Oodnadatta |
Marla, Oodnadatta, William Creek and Marree have caravan parks.
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| Just a small section of items on the wall at William Creek Roadhouse |
Marree Roadhouse has the best bread we have ever tasted (not that we are bread eaters while traveling). Do not leave Marree without a loaf or two.
Australia's smallest town -William Creek - is situated in "Anna Downs"- one of Australia's largest cattle stations. We found William Creek to be a very clean and tidy little town. The Tavern /Roadhouse/Fuel stop shop's inside walls are decorated with everything you can imagine. You have to allow a mimimum of 30 minutes just to look at the walls etc. (Enjoy a cold beer while you are there)From William Creek, visitors can take joy flights out over Lake Eyre and surrounding areas.
Oodnadatta- (well that is another story). We personally found the town to be very untidy and messy with rubbish lying around everywhere. We were dissappointed in the town when we arrived, as we had heard of Oodnadatta for years. The famous "Pink Roadhouse" staff were very friendly and helpful.
The Old Ghan Railway line has lots of the old wooden rail sleepers alongside the track and passing motorists over the years have made signs up using the old sleepers. It was very entertaining working out what the signs messages some times.
Though this road is relatively straightforward, take note of Warnings and Essential Advice on Desert Crossing which visitors can collect from visitors centres prior to doing the track.
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