Strzelecki Track
South Australia
The Strzelecki Track runs from Lyndhurst in the Northern part of Flinders Ranges, up to Innamincka near the border of South Australia, New South Wales and Queensland, some 466kms up the road. The area is steeped in history with Charles Sturt exploring the area in 1845, naming it after Polish explorer Paul Edmund de Strzelecki (he was the first European to climb Australia's highest point which he named Mount Kosciusko). Not long after in 1861 Burke and Wills perished at Coopers Creek near Innamincka on their ill-fated expedition.
However the Strzelecki Track didn't really come about until 1871 when cattle thief Harry Redford stole 1,000 head of cattle from Central Queensland and drove them down to Adelaide to be sold. This established a new stock route and was used up to the 1930's before transport by truck became more popular. With no drovers coming through, the township of Innamincka was abandoned in 1952, but re-opened with the discovery of oil and gas in the area, and the influx of the 4WD tourist.
Today the Strzelecki Track is well maintained due to the gas fields of Moomba, south west of Innamincka, and depending on the weather the track can be driven on in a conventional car. Whether you are driving from Innamincka or Lyndhurst, always ensure you have enough supplies of fuel and water and check with the locals on the condition of the road.
Strzelecki Track Attractions
Strzelecki Track Road ConditionCooper Creek
Innamincka is close to the banks of Cooper Creek and a great place to set up your tent and revive for a day or two, watching the birdlife and trying your luck at fishing. In Innamincka you will find the Innamincka Pub, a caravan park, motel, general store, and fuel and repairs.
Coongie Lakes
Approximately 100 kms North West of Innamincka and found within the Innamincka Regional Reserve is the World Heritage listed Coongie Lakes. The Coongie Lakes are especially spectacular after flood and heavy rain when the large expanses of the wetland fill, however the Coongie Lakes do contain water most of the time. The lakes are a haven for bird watchers with the vast range of birds found on the lakes, and the migratory birds that arrive from all over the world to breed. Canoeing is also a popular activity, along with bush walking and photography.
A Desert Park Permit is required to enter the Coongie Lakes and it is recommended 4WD only. There are designated camping spots around the lake, check on the National Park website for details.
Travelling from Innamincka to Lyndhurst:
- Around 45kms out of Innamincka the track splits to the New Strzelecki Track and the Old Strzelecki Track. The new track is fairly well maintained and will take you past the gas fields of Moomba. The old track follows the Strzelecki Creek down to Merty Merty Homestead. This route is the more scenic route of the two, but the track isn't well maintained and should only be done in a 4WD vehicle.
- From the old Strzelecki Track near the Merty Merty Homestead you can also head to Cameron Corner, the junction of the South Australia, Queensland and New South Wales borders in the Sturt National Park. It is around 110 kms to Cameron Corner, and there is a store there that sells fuel, meals and has accommodation options, including camping. The Dog Fence runs through Cameron Corner, being 6,000 kms long and starting at the Great Australian Bight in South Australia, and finishing in the Great Dividing Range North West of Brisbane.
- Around 50 kms past Strzelecki Crossing is the Montecollina bore, a popular campsite where there is a bore that overflows into a series of dams which attract thousands of birds.
- Below the Montecollina bore and in between Lake Callabonna and Lake Blanche is the Cobbler Desert, an enormous, drifting series of pale dunes. The name relates to the sheep which were the most difficult to shear, known as the "cobblers"
- Lookout for the turnoff to the Blanchewater Homestead ruins. The first lease was taken out in 1858, and by 1888 the homestead included twelve buildings. The homestead pulled back its operations in the 1890's, and in 1940 a flood went through the area and damaged most of the buildings.
- Lyndhurst is an historic railway town and the other end to the start of the Strzelecki Track. Here you will be able to find fuel and general supplies, and there is the Lyndhurst Hotel with a caravan park and motel. Around Lyndhurst there are the ochre pits used in the past by the local Aboriginals.
If you are looking for a map of the Strzelecki Track, then have a look at this map from our friends from The Outback Travellers Track Guide. They get out onto the Australian Tracks themselves and create these fantastic maps. Click on the image above to jump to their website.
Moomba Weather - Average Temperatures and Rainfall
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
| Avg. Max (°C) | 38.5 | 36.8 | 34.0 | 29.1 | 23.7 | 19.8 | 19.5 | 22.4 | 27.5 | 30.4 | 33.7 | 36.4 |
| Avg. Min (°C) | 24.6 | 23.7 | 20.4 | 15.7 | 10.9 | 7.4 | 6.5 | 8.2 | 12.6 | 15.9 | 19.5 | 22.3 |
| Avg. Rain (mm) | 14.7 | 24.5 | 9.3 | 7.2 | 10.0 | 12.3 | 16.0 | 4.4 | 12.6 | 10.2 | 14.9 | 14.2 |
| Avg. Rain Days | 2.5 | 3.2 | 1.7 | 1.3 | 1.9 | 2.8 | 2.6 | 1.2 | 2.6 | 3.3 | 3.6 | 3.1 |