📷 Photo by Chris Charles on UnsplashBirdsville Track and Strzelecki Track
A remote loop for well-prepared, self-sufficient travellers: Marree to Birdsville on a historic stock route, then Cooper Creek country and the long Strzelecki Track south. Long unsealed distances; check conditions first.
- Distance
- 1,313 km (816 mi)
- Driving
- 14 h 19 min
- Suggested days
- 7
- Stops
- 9
- States
- South Australia, Queensland
- Updated
- April 23, 2026
At a glance: 7-day road trip of about 1,313 km (816 mi) with 9 stops, from Port Augusta to The Dig Tree. About 14 h 19 min of driving in total.
More road trips in South Australia, Queensland · More road trips from Port Augusta
Route description
Day 1: Port Augusta to Marree, about 350 km, mostly sealed through the Flinders Ranges' northern edge. Marree is the starting point of both the Birdsville and Oodnadatta tracks, and the last place for dependable fuel and supplies. Tell someone your plan, carry spare tyres, two spare days of food and plenty of water, and check road reports before leaving.
Days 2 and 3: Marree to Birdsville, about 520 km on the unsealed Birdsville Track, with fuel at Mungerannie Roadhouse roughly halfway. The track follows an old droving route past gibber plains and the dry Cooper Creek country; speed on gravel should be kept moderate. Many travellers split the day at Mungerannie, where there is camping and a meal. The track can close after rain.
Days 4 and 5: Birdsville and the dunes. Visit the 1884 Birdsville Hotel and climb Big Red, about 35 km west, at sunrise. From Birdsville, the way to Innamincka is a remote outback route of several hundred kilometres where fuel, water and a high-clearance vehicle are essential; do not attempt it without current local advice. Many travellers instead return south to rejoin the Strzelecki Track at Lyndhurst.
Days 6 and 7: Strzelecki Track. The track runs about 460 km between Lyndhurst and Innamincka, with no fuel in between, so carry extra. Innamincka sits on Cooper Creek and is the base for the Dig Tree, about 60 km away, where Burke and Wills's 1861 camp is remembered. It is gravel; allow a full day for the run and expect closures after rain.
Stop-by-stop itinerary
In driving order. Distances are estimates between consecutive stops.
- 1Start
Port Augusta
South Australia - 2382 km
Marree
South Australia - 31 km
Marree and the Birdsville Track sign
HistoryMarree, South AustraliaThe outback hub where the Birdsville and Oodnadatta tracks begin. A historic hotel, old Ghan railway relics and a camel memorial recall Afghan cameleers; fuel and last-minute supplies are available here.
- 4229 km
Mungerannie Roadhouse
StaysMungerannie, South AustraliaThe only roadhouse between Marree and Birdsville, with fuel, meals, rooms and camping. Nearby natural hot bores and a small collection of travellers' memorabilia give the Birdsville Track a human touch.
- 5294 km
Birdsville
Queensland - 60 km
Birdsville Hotel
HistoryBirdsville, QueenslandA remote sandstone pub dating from 1884, the social centre of Birdsville and a landmark for travellers on the Birdsville Track. The town swells for the Birdsville Races each September. Fuel is available in town, but the next services are hundreds of kilometres away, so plan carefully.
- 742 km
Big Red (Nappanerica)
NatureBirdsville, QueenslandA red sand dune about 40 m high, the best-known dune on the eastern edge of the Simpson Desert, west of Birdsville. Sealed and gravel roads lead to it; the sand-ridge climb gives a sweeping view at sunrise.
- 8322 km
Innamincka
South Australia - 943 km
The Dig Tree
HistoryInnamincka, QueenslandA coolibah beside Cooper Creek where the 1861 Burke and Wills party buried supplies and carved the word DIG. Reached on outback tracks near Innamincka; check road conditions, especially after rain.
Suggested stages and overnight stops
7 days, split by driving time. Campsites from OpenStreetMap: check opening dates before you go.
- Day 1: Port Augusta → Marree · 382 km · 4 h 10 min
- Day 2: Marree → Marree and the Birdsville Track sign · 1 km · 0 h 01 min
- Day 3: Marree and the Birdsville Track sign → Mungerannie Roadhouse · 229 km · 2 h 30 min
- Day 4: Mungerannie Roadhouse → Birdsville · 294 km · 3 h 13 min
- Day 5: Birdsville → Big Red (Nappanerica) · 42 km · 0 h 27 minOn the way: Birdsville Hotel.
- Day 6: Big Red (Nappanerica) → Innamincka · 322 km · 3 h 31 min
- Day 7: Innamincka → The Dig Tree · 43 km · 0 h 28 min
Best time to go
The most pleasant months are usually May–October. Still fine, with some compromises, in April. Hot in November–March. July and August are the busiest months: book campsites early.
Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons
FAQs
How long is Birdsville Track and Strzelecki Track?
7-day road trip of about 1,313 km (816 mi) with 9 stops, from Port Augusta to The Dig Tree. About 14 h 19 min of driving in total.
How many days do you need for Birdsville Track and Strzelecki Track?
We suggest 7 days: about 14 h 19 min of driving, which leaves time for the stops.
Where does Birdsville Track and Strzelecki Track start and end?
It starts in Port Augusta and ends in The Dig Tree.
Which states does Birdsville Track and Strzelecki Track pass through?
South Australia and Queensland.
When is the best time for Birdsville Track and Strzelecki Track?
The most pleasant months are usually May–October. Still fine, with some compromises, in April. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)
More like this
© Mike Wilson mkwlsn · CC0Adelaide Hills, Barossa and Clare Valley wine loop
© Simon Yeo from Pakenham, Australia · CC BY 2.0Outback NSW: Mungo, Broken Hill and the opal fields
Photo by Jalen Hueser on Unsplash