Oodnadatta Track Travel Tips

Where to stay & get supplies


The Oodnadatta Track Travel Tips section provides you with useful information to plan and enjoy your trip along the historic track.
No need to worry about food and drinks... isn't it good to know where you can get a warm meal, or a cold beer, when you arrive at your destination?

A tour along the Oodnadatta Track is a great experience. If you don't like camping, you can always stay in a cabin, or an old-fashioned hotel. Enjoy the Outback hospitality!

Outback roadhouse with the typical servicesRoadhouse in Marree


Don't forget, the Oodnadatta track is a remote area, be well-prepared & carry plenty of water. There is no mobile phone reception out there, you need to wait for other travellers passing by when you're in trouble, or carry a sat-phone or a radio.

Facilities along the Oodnadatta Track

Towns and places listed here start from the eastern, or southern end of the track.

Marree

The tiny town at the beginning of two famous Outback tracks is truly an attraction. Stay at least one night and explore Marree's unique history as a railway town on the legendary Ghan line.

  • Marree Hotel (Ph: 08 8675 8344) is located at Railway Tce South. The grand old hotel offers single and double rooms (with shared bathroom facilities), as well as counter & dining room meals.
    The bar room is the place for a cold beer and a chat with the locals. Enjoy unique Outback hospitality in this historic hotel.

    Recent additions include modern cabins with ensuite rooms & a free camping area (gold coin donation to use shower and toilets).

  • Oasis Caravan Park (Ph: 08 8675 8352), Railway Tce South - This park is in the middle of town, has some grassy camp sites and shade to offer. They also have cabins with private facilities and air-condition. There is a camp kitchen and a "BBQ garden"  where guests and locals share some gossip around the camp fire at night.

  • Marree Outback Store, Oasis Cafe & Roadhouse (Ph: 08 8675 8360), Railway Tce North. The Oasis Cafe offers breakfast, take-away meals and dinner.
    The shop has everything travellers might need in this remote area, including a bottle shop, bakery, post office, EFTPOS & ATM facilities.
    The roadhouse has unleaded fuel, diesel & AVGAS, car repairs & tyres.

  • Drovers Run Caravan Park (ph: 08 8675 8644), 600m south of Marree on the corner of the Birdsville & Oodnadatta Track. The park offers the typical camping facilities, basic and self-contained cabins.

  • Scenic flights to Lake Eyre are operated from the roadhouse and the hotel.

This is an older photo of the historic hotel in MarreeHistoric Marree Hotel

Coward Springs

The former Ghan railway station is now an oasis for travellers and a welcome stop when you travel along the Oodnadatta Track.

  • Coward Springs (Ph: 08 8675 8336) has a basic campground in a beautiful vicinity. Camp sites are sheltered by old trees, each site has their own fire place (bring your own wood).

  • Pit toilets and hot showers are available. Wood for the showers is provided, but visitors need to feed the donkey for hot water.

  • Relax in the unique spa, the water comes from a artesian bore.

Relax at the artesian spa in Coward SpringsDoesn't the spa look inviting?

The wetlands at Coward Springs are a heaven for birds, and other wildlife.


Camels in the Australian desertCamels at Coward Springs

William Creek

It is a remote place with all services you need out there.When you feel like it, you can even play a round of golf!

  • William Creek Hotel, Ph: 08 8670 7880 - The hotel & pub offers meals, take-away liquor & rooms with shared facilities.
    The pub is a wonderful place to enjoy a cool drink after an hot and dusty day on the tracks.

  • Camp ground with shower blocks, and cabins. When I stayed there in 2001 there was not much shade, however, many small trees were planted that might provide some shade by now.

  • Minor mechanical repairs and fuel.

  • Wrights Air offers scenic flights Lake Eyre & the painted desert.

Early morning camper in the outbackDawn at William Creek caravan park

Oodnadatta

  • The Pink Roadhouse, Ph: 08 8670 7822 has fuel, meals, a typical Outback mini market, and a campground with cabins. Facilities are basic, but you get everything you need. The Oodnaburger are legendary.
    That's my only disappointment about the place, the kitchen was closed when I stayed there.
  • Transcontinental Hotel, Oh: 08 8670 7804 - The pub offers air-conditioned rooms and hearty meals.
  • Oodnadatta General Store a mini-market that also offers fuel, hardware, and take-away meals. (I am not sure if the general store is still open, let me know if you have any updates, thanks).

Pink Roadhouse in OodnadattaThe famous pink roadhouse
  • Transcontinental Hotel, Oh: 08 8670 7804 - The pub offers air-conditioned rooms and hearty meals.

  • Oodnadatta General Store a mini-market that also offers fuel, hardware, and take-away meals. (I am not sure if the general store is still open, let me know if you have any updates, thanks).

I enjoyed the stay at the Oodnadatta camp groundThe rustic campground next to the Pink Roadhouse

Marla

The small town at the junction of the Oodnadatta Track and the Stuart Highway was built in 1980 to serve travellers on the Stuart Highway.

The large roadhouse called Marla's Traveller's Rest is a busy place. It offers motel facilities, a caravan park and camping area, backpacker facilities, a restaurant & take-away, post and banking facilities and, of course, fuel.

Emergency Services along the Oodnadatta Track

There are small hospitals staffed with an experienced nurse in Oodnadatta & Marree.
Both towns also have a local police officer.


Oodnadatta Track -> the route step by step

Don't miss the articles below which give you many more details about the route.

Get general facts, an introduction and overview of the track (617 km)

Discover the history of the early days in this fascinating town

The first section of the Oodnadatta Track is in my opinion the most diverse part of the track (204 km)

This small town offers everything a traveller needs. You'll be surprised what you'll find in this tiny village

See more relics of the Old Ghan, including the huge Algebuckina railway bridge (202 km)

First discover the township Oodnadatta, before you go on the last leg of the track (211 km)

Don't miss to read this page, it also includes useful tips by Outback Guide readers

Read about Australia's largest lake which only fills every couple of years

Find camp spots, where to get fuel, a good meal, and a cold beer

Outback South Australia is a wonderful place to explore, don't miss it


Enjoy this most interesting (and my favourite) track in the South Australian Outback.

Below you'll find more useful articles to help you plan your journey.