Marree

Marree, a tiny outpost on the edge of the Simpson Desert, is the kind of place where the red dirt road meets a big sky and history feels close to the surface. This former railhead and camel-train hub is now a quiet detour off the Oodnadatta Track, but its stories—from Afghan cameleers to the legendary flying doctor—make it an essential stop for anyone tracing the old Ghan railway line or the route of the Birdsville Track.

Highlights & What to See

• Marree Hotel – A classic outback pub with a verandah, cold beer, and a menu that leans on steak and chips. It’s the social heart of town and a good place to swap tales with travellers and locals.
• The Afghan Mosque – A tiny, whitewashed structure built by early Afghan cameleers in the 1880s. It’s one of the oldest mosques in Australia and a poignant reminder of the multicultural roots of the outback.
• Old Ghan Railway Ruins – The original narrow-gauge railway that once connected Marree to Alice Springs is long gone, but the station platform, water tanks, and a few rusting carriages remain, scattered like ghosts on the plain.
• Marree Man – A massive geoglyph etched into the stony desert 60 km west of town. Best seen from the air, but you can drive to a viewing platform and imagine the scale of this mysterious artwork.
• Oodnadatta Track & Birdsville Track Junction – Marree sits at the southern start of the Birdsville Track and the eastern end of the Oodnadatta Track. It’s a classic staging point for self-drive adventures into the red centre.

Suggested Time to Spend

Most travellers pass through on their way along the Oodnadatta or Birdsville Tracks, so an overnight stop is enough to soak up the atmosphere. Arrive in the late afternoon, check into the pub or the simple caravan park, and spend the evening watching the sunset turn the desert orange. Next morning, explore the historic sites before hitting the road. If you’re flying over the Marree Man, budget an extra half-day for the drive out and back.

Nearby Areas Worth Combining

• William Creek – A tiny pub-and-campground stop 100 km west on the Oodnadatta Track, close to the massive Lake Eyre.
• Lake Eyre (Kati Thanda) – Australia’s largest salt lake, often dry but spectacular after rare floods. Access from Marree via the Oodnadatta Track.
• Innamincka – A historic settlement on the Cooper Creek, about 300 km east via the Birdsville Track, with the Dig Tree and remote camping.
• Farina – An abandoned town with well-preserved ruins, 50 km south on the old Ghan line.
• Birdsville – The iconic outback town at the northern end of the Birdsville Track, famous for its pub and annual races.

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