Birdsville Track

The Birdsville Track is one of Australia’s great outback journeys, a 517-kilometre dirt road that cuts through the red heart of South Australia from Marree to Birdsville in Queensland. This iconic route, once a vital stock route for drovers, now lures adventurous travellers seeking raw desert landscapes, remote pub stops, and a genuine taste of outback hospitality. The track traverses the starkly beautiful Sturt Stony Desert and the gibber plains of the Channel Country, with ever-changing light painting the earth in fiery hues. It’s a trip that demands preparation but rewards with a profound sense of isolation and connection to the land.

Highlights & What to See

• Marree – The southern gateway, home to the historic Marree Hotel and the starting point for the track. Don’t miss the nearby Marree Man geoglyph, a giant figure etched into the desert.
• Mungerannie Hotel – The only pub on the track, a legendary outback oasis with cold beer, hearty meals, and a chance to swap stories with fellow travellers. Fill up your water and fuel here.
• Cooper Creek Crossing – A seasonal watercourse that can be impassable after rain. When dry, it’s a great spot for a picnic amid river red gums.
• Birdsville – The end of the road, famous for the Birdsville Hotel, the annual Birdsville Races, and the Big Red Bash music festival. Soak up the outback vibe and visit the historic bakery for a camel pie.
• Desert scenery – Endless horizons, red sand dunes, and the eerie silence of the Sturt Stony Desert. Stop often to photograph the dramatic landscapes and watch for wedge-tailed eagles and kangaroos.

Suggested Time to Spend

Allow at least two to three days to drive the Birdsville Track, depending on conditions and how often you stop. Most travellers break the journey with an overnight at Mungerannie Hotel or camp along the way. If you’re combining it with other outback destinations, budget a week for a loop from Marree through Birdsville and back via the Oodnadatta Track or Arnhem Highway. The track is best tackled between April and September, when temperatures are milder and the road is less likely to be closed by floods.

Nearby Areas Worth Combining

• Oodnadatta Track – A parallel outback route that passes through remote towns like Oodnadatta and William Creek, rich with Aboriginal and pioneering history.
• Lake Eyre – Australia’s largest salt lake, which occasionally fills with water and becomes a haven for birdlife. Accessible via the Oodnadatta Track or from Marree.
• Coober Pedy – The opal-mining town known for its underground homes and moonscape scenery, located a few hours’ drive west of Marree.
• Flinders Ranges – Ancient mountain ranges with rugged gorges and Aboriginal rock art, about a day’s drive south of Marree.
• Simpson Desert Conservation Park – For the truly adventurous, a detour into the Simpson Desert offers towering sand dunes and remote camping.

Please check official sources for current details.