The Strzelecki Track links Lyndhurst in South Australia with Innamincka. It follows Strzelecki Creek for part of its length, through the sand dunes of the Strzelecki Desert, on the Country of the Adnyamathanha, Dieri, Yandruwandha and other peoples.
History
Strzelecki Creek was named by Charles Sturt during his 1845 expedition, after the explorer Paweł Strzelecki. The route became infamous in 1870, when Harry Readford and his companions stole about 1,000 head of cattle from a Queensland station and drove them down the Strzelecki to South Australia, where they sold them. Readford was tried but acquitted. His exploit is often said to have inspired Captain Starlight in Rolf Boldrewood's novel Robbery Under Arms. Later, the route served as a stock route, and from the 1960s the discovery of gas at Moomba brought industry and road improvements.
The route
- Lyndhurst — the start, with fuel and supplies; the end of the sealed road from Port Augusta.
- Montecollina Bore — a popular rest stop with a small wetland.
- Strzelecki Creek and dune country — red sand and coolabahs.
- Moomba — gas processing facility; no public services.
- Innamincka — the end of the track, on Cooper Creek.
Conditions and difficulty
The track is unsealed and can be rough, with corrugations and sandy sections. Heavy industry traffic creates dust and stones. Rain can close the track. In dry conditions, well-prepared high-clearance vehicles often manage it; a 4WD gives a greater margin.
Best time to go
April to September is best. Summer temperatures are extreme.
Safety
There is no public fuel or water between Lyndhurst and Innamincka. Carry enough of both, plus spare tyres and a satellite communication device. Avoid travelling at night.
Captain Starlight and the cattle drive
The track is linked with one of the boldest episodes in Australian droving history. Around 1870, Harry Readford and a small group of stockmen drove about 1,000 head of stolen cattle from Bowen Downs in Queensland down Strzelecki Creek into South Australia, opening a route others later followed. Readford was arrested and tried, but a jury acquitted him. The story inspired the character of Captain Starlight in Rolf Boldrewood's novel Robbery Under Arms. See our droving and stock routes guide.
Innamincka and Cooper Creek
At the northern end, Innamincka sits beside Cooper Creek in the Innamincka Regional Reserve. Nearby are the Dig Tree, across the border in Queensland, and memorials to Burke and Wills, who died near the Cooper in 1861. North of Innamincka, Coongie Lakes is an internationally important wetland. A Desert Parks Pass or permit is required for the reserve. See our Burke and Wills guide.
Side trips
From the track, a road branches east to Cameron Corner, where NSW, Queensland and South Australia meet. Check conditions before taking side roads, as they can be sandy or closed after rain.
Oilfield traffic
The Cooper Basin oil and gas fields bring heavy vehicles onto the track, including road trains. Drive with headlights on, use your UHF radio, slow down when vehicles approach, and pull over if dust reduces visibility.
Suggested itinerary
Day one. Fuel up at Lyndhurst, drive north and camp near Montecollina Bore.
Day two. Continue past Moomba to Innamincka, and camp by Cooper Creek.
Day three and beyond. Explore the Dig Tree, Burke and Wills sites and Coongie Lakes before heading on.
What to bring
Two spare tyres, recovery gear, a compressor, plenty of water, extra fuel, a satellite phone or PLB and a first aid kit. See our remote-area travel safety guide.
Landscapes
The track crosses gibber plains, red sand dunes and the channels of Strzelecki Creek, which flows only after big rains. Coolabah trees line the creek, and after rain the desert can turn green and flower. Birds include budgerigars, zebra finches, black kites and, around waterholes, many waterbirds. Look for dingoes and red kangaroos on the plains.
History in brief
The track follows Strzelecki Creek, named by Charles Sturt in 1845 after the explorer Paul Strzelecki. It became a stock route for cattle moving from south-west Queensland to the railhead at Farina and later Marree. The discovery of gas in the Cooper Basin in the 1960s led to the development of Moomba and improvements to the track.
Communications
Mobile coverage is very limited along the Strzelecki Track, apart from near towns and some oilfield facilities. Carry a satellite device and a registered personal locator beacon, and use UHF radio, particularly where you'll be sharing the road with heavy vehicles. Leave your trip plan with someone at home.
Towing
When dry and well graded, the track is often driven with off-road trailers. Corrugations, sand and dust are tough on trailers, so use one built for the conditions. Drop your tyre pressures in line with your manufacturer's advice, and check the hitch and bearings regularly.
Leave no trace
Take all your rubbish with you to Lyndhurst or Innamincka. Use toilets where they're provided, or bury waste well away from water and campsites.
Related guides
Related park guide: Malkumba-Coongie Lakes.
Frequently asked questions
Where can you get fuel on the Strzelecki Track?
Fuel is available at Lyndhurst and Innamincka. There is no public fuel at Moomba, so plan for about 460 km without services.
Is the Strzelecki Track sealed?
Sections near Lyndhurst and around the Moomba area have been upgraded, and sealing works have been carried out, but much of the track is unsealed. Conditions vary, and the track closes after rain. Check South Australia's outback roads page before travelling.
Is there fuel on the Strzelecki Track?
There is no public fuel between Lyndhurst and Innamincka; the Moomba gas fields do not offer public services. Fill up in Lyndhurst or Leigh Creek and carry a reserve.
Is the Strzelecki Track busy?
It carries heavy oil and gas industry traffic, including road trains. Drive with headlights on and give trucks plenty of room.
Sources and further reading
Facts on this page were checked against these primary and official sources. Conditions change — confirm before you travel or buy.
- Innamincka Regional Reserve — National Parks and Wildlife Service SA
- Outback road warnings — Government of South Australia
- Strzelecki Track (Wikipedia) — Wikipedia
