Marree

Marree, a tiny outpost in the red heart of South Australia, is a place where the vastness of the desert meets the romance of the rails. Once a bustling Afghan cameleer town, it now serves as a quiet gateway to the Simpson Desert and the legendary Birdsville Track. With its rusty railway relics, stark saltbush plains, and skies that stretch forever, Marree feels like a frontier out of time.

Highlights & What to See

• Marree Hotel – This iconic pub is the social hub of town, serving cold beer and hearty meals under a ceiling covered in banknotes and memorabilia. A must-stop for travellers on the Birdsville or Oodnadatta tracks.
• Afghan Cameleers Memorial – A poignant tribute to the early cameleers who helped open the interior. The memorial sits near the old railway station and tells a story of cultural exchange and harsh survival.
• Marree Railway Station & Historic Ghan Line – Wander around the disused station and remnants of the original Ghan railway. The line’s steel sleepers and rotting carriages are a photographer’s dream, especially at golden hour.
• Lake Eyre Viewing – Marree is one of the best bases for flights over Kati Thanda–Lake Eyre. When the lake has water, the aerial views of pink salt pans and swirling bird flocks are unforgettable.
• Birdsville Track – The start of this iconic outback route. Even if you’re not tackling the full track, driving a few kilometres north gives a taste of the red dunes and gibber plains that define this country.

Suggested Time to Spend

Marree is a brief stop rather than a destination in itself. Most travellers spend one night here, arriving in the late afternoon to enjoy sunset views over the desert, having a meal at the pub, and leaving the next morning. If you’re flying over Lake Eyre or exploring the track, allow a full day and two nights – but for a quick taste, a few hours is enough to soak up the atmosphere and snap photos of the historic railway relics.

Nearby Areas Worth Combining

• Coober Pedy – 300 km west, this opal-mining underground town is famous for its dugout homes, lunar landscapes, and unique subterranean churches.
• Flinders Ranges – About 400 km south, the dramatic ranges offer gorges, Aboriginal rock art, and wildlife like yellow-footed rock-wallabies.
• Oodnadatta Track – A parallel desert route to the Birdsville Track, passing through quirky settlements like William Creek and the pink salt lake at Lake Eyre South.
• Lake Eyre (Kati Thanda) – Australia’s largest salt lake, often dry but spectacular after rain. Scenic flights from Marree are the best way to appreciate its scale.
• Simpson Desert Conservation Park – For serious 4WD adventurers, the park’s red dunes and remote camping offer a true outback wilderness experience.

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