Strzelecki Track

The Strzelecki Track is a legendary outback route that cuts through the arid heart of South Australia, connecting the Flinders Ranges to the remote oil and gas fields of Moomba. This 460-kilometre unsealed road is a pilgrimage for 4WD enthusiasts and adventurers seeking raw, unfiltered Australian desert. Expect red sand dunes, saltbush plains, and a profound sense of isolation under vast, star-filled skies.

Highlights & What to See

• Mount Lyndhurst Station: The northern gateway, where the blacktop ends and the dirt begins – a working cattle station offering a taste of outback life.
• Strzelecki Creek: A dry creek bed most of the year, but after rains it transforms into a lifeline for birdlife and a stunning desert waterhole.
• Moomba: The remote gas hub – not a tourist town, but its stark industrial presence amid the desert is a curious landmark. You'll need a permit to enter.
• Innamincka: A tiny outback settlement with the historic Innamincka Hotel, a classic bush pub where travellers swap yarns. It's also the gateway to Cooper Creek and the Dig Tree.
• Desert wildlife: Keep an eye out for red kangaroos, wedge-tailed eagles, and, after sunset, the tiny hopping mice and dingoes.

Suggested Time to Spend

Plan at least three to four days to drive the full track, allowing for slow going on the corrugated gravel and time to explore side trips. Many travellers combine it with a loop from the Flinders Ranges or as part of a longer Birdsville Track adventure. Carry extra fuel, water, and supplies – services are virtually non-existent.

Nearby Areas Worth Combining

• Flinders Ranges: The dramatic mountain scenery and ancient Aboriginal rock art of Wilpena Pound are a perfect prelude or finale to the track.
• Innamincka Regional Reserve: Rich in Indigenous and explorer history, with Cooper Creek waterholes and the famous Dig Tree site.
• Birdsville Track: Another iconic outback route that runs parallel to the Strzelecki – hardy travellers sometimes link them for a grand desert circuit.
• Coongie Lakes: A Ramsar-listed wetland system near Innamincka, teeming with birds and a surprising oasis in the desert.
• Lake Eyre: Australia's largest salt lake, accessible via the Oodnadatta Track from the west – a spectacular sight when it fills with water.

Please check official sources for current details.