Marree - William Creek with a normal car

by Manon
(Sydney)

Hi there,

Congrats for your web site, it s full of great information and I can't wait any more for my travel.
I am about to do a trip from Melbourne to Alice Springs from the 10th of June to the 20th. We are planning to go through the Flinders Ranges and then head to Marree, go through the famous Oodnadatta track until William Creek and then come back to Coober Pedy through the William Creek Rd.
We have a normal car (compact car) and even if this part of the track can usually be taken with a normal car, we are wondering if it is still possible considering the recent heavy rain. Do you think it is reasonable? How is the William Creek Rd?
How is the road from the Flinders Ranges to Marree?

Thanks very much for your help!

Manon

road crossing sand dunes
Bopeechee Road William Creek to Roxby Downs


Rita's Reply

Hi Manon,

Thanks for your compliments, I am happy that you find the website helpful. :)

Hmmm, in good conditions the Oodnadatta Track, especially the section from Marree to William Creek could be done with a normal car (if it is your own, not a hired car) and careful driving.
But... I just checked the road conditions, and it looks like it is not very reasonable right now. I am not sure how much things will improve until next week.

The roads in the Flinders Ranges are no problem, from Hawker to Wilpena Pound and up to Blinman the roads are sealed. To turn west to the main road to Lyndhurst and Marree you can either go through Brachina or Parachilna Gorge which are both very scenic. Have a look at my Flinders Ranges pages.

The road from Lyndhurst to Marree is in good condition, they even prepared to seal it at the end of 2008. I am not sure if they are finished with that project by now.

I remember when I planned the first trip along the Oodnadatta Track the roads were closed due to rain when we left Adelaide. We took our time in the Flinders, and once we arrived at Marree, the track was open.

I would just keep an eye on the weather reports and the road conditions. And check out some general tips on how to prepare your car.

Good luck and have a great trip, I hope all goes well.

Rita

Comments for Marree - William Creek with a normal car

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Apr 27, 2023
 Marree - Marla
by: Mark R

I know the 2WD topic has been brought up a few times now....

BUT I plan to take on the Oodnadatta track on in my kombi van. We have pulled off all the gorges in the flinders and dirt roads on the west coast of Eyre with no issues. I know road conditions change quickly with weather, but wondering what the roads are usually like in regards to size of pot holes and corrugations?

Thanks for any help!
Apr 24, 2022
 big 2wd motorhome NEW
by: Anonymous

given the right conditions could Maree to Coober Pedy be done in a jayco 3,8 tonne 2wd motorhome ?
Jun 30, 2014
 Caravan on the Oodnadatta Track
by: Rita

The Hawker to Leigh Creek Road is fully sealed, even further up until Lyndhurst.

I wouldn't recommend a shortcut from the Flinders via one of the gorges to the Leigh Creek Road with a large caravan.

So, it is probably no problem to get to Marree. But opinions vary much if a caravan on the Oodnadatta Track is a good idea.

I don't have any experience towing a caravan. Plus, it depends on the road and weather conditions on the days you are actually out there.

Click here to read more what other travellers think about towing a caravan on the track.
Jun 23, 2014
 Caravan Maree to Coober Pedy
by: Anonymous

We are planning to visit Flinders Ranges and then continue on to Coober Pedy early July. Caravan is a 19ft with long overhang at rear. Is it wise to go via Oodnadatta and Leigh Creek tracks? Alternatively we could go south to Roxby Downs, though that will be further. Would appreciate your advice.
Apr 16, 2011
 Ask the locals
by: Rita

Hi David,

When you are in Coober Pedy right now, the best advice I can give is ask the locals... at the petrol station, the police, travellers who just came from William Creek.

Looking at the road report from today, Saturday, it says the Coober Pedy to William Creek road is only open for 4WD. They warn of soft sections.

Remember, there was a lot of rain, it will take some time until all roads are dried out and the grader went through.

Rita
Apr 16, 2011
 Going from Coober Pedy
by: David Moore

I'm in Coober Pedy now - looking at taking a normal car to William Creek. Hope that should be OK. Any advice or comments welcomed.
Apr 03, 2011
 It's a huge thing
by: Rita

Thanks for the compliments, Luke.

I am not an experienced driver (I let the boss do it), and we haven't towed anything on Outback roads yet.

Your Windsor is a huge thing. It's not the road itself that can cause problems, but some of the creek crossings.

If the rain stops now, and the graders have done their jobs until June, perhaps you can make it, I don't know.

oodnadatta track


You'll find more opinions in these threads

Road surface Oodnadatta Track

Lyndhurst to Marree

Contact the locals in Marree or William Creek before you go and ask for advice.

Rita
Apr 03, 2011
 Lyndhurst-Marree-W'm Ck-Coober Pedy
by: Luke Houlihan

Congrats Rita on a great site. Planning to take the crew (5 kids under 11 and wife) in our Windsor Rapid 592S (7,7m) which is fitted with off road suspension towed by our Patrol 4.2 diesel. Plan is to go to the Flinders Ranges up to Marree to W'm Ck, day trip out to the lake, then turn left to Coober Pedy and then up to the big yonny. Will the rd trash the van? car? kids? wife? Will we get through?Plan to head off in June and take 6-8 weeks. So we're not in a hurry.
Feb 15, 2011
 Maree - William Creek with normal car
by: Terry Everson

Hi Jim, Hopefully the roads should be ok by the time you go but you can never be sure so check before you go. If the roads are open you won`t have any problems. May I suggest that you take the road from Oodnadatta to Cadney through the Arkaringa Hills, known as the Painted Desert. These are colourful mesas which are that way because of gypsum and other minerals leeching into the soil. Cheers from Terry.
Feb 15, 2011
 What about Jume July this year?
by: Jim

Hi everyone, great read for someone clueless like me.

Looking at doing this trip in late June early July this year, how are the road around that time of the year? Dried out or....?

Planning to take our late model Subaru Outback and a light camper trailer. Aim is to loop from the south through the Flinders Ranges, Lake Eyre, Williams Creek, Coober Pedy then back south. Any suggestions would be appreciate.

Cheers
Jim
Aug 23, 2010
 thanks for the info
by: Chris

Thanks Terry, really looking forward to our trip..you're right, no point in whizzing past all the scenery!!!
Aug 22, 2010
 Re Ooodnadatta Track and William Creek.
by: Terry Everson.

Hi Chris, I would say that by October the roads should be all dried out. As far as the Oodnadatta Track and Strezelecki Track is concerned I wouldn`t worry too much about tackling them in a normal car. Most of these outback tracks have been upgraded in recent years and should present no problems to the careful driver. I can go back to the early 60`s when I toured the country in a Hillman and later a falcon and the roads were much less maintained in those days. Just drive to the conditions mate and take your time. I wouldn`t recommend doing Cape York or any similar trip in anything less than a 4WD but those roads you intend to take I`m sure will present no problems unless you drive like a nut. But what`s the point of that. You are out there to take it easy and enjoy the scenery , right!
Aug 22, 2010
 Maree -William Creek travel in Oct.
by: Chris

Hi,
We are planning to travel to Lake Eyre in late October. I have taken on board all your good advise re the Flinders. We are concerned about the state of the roads from Maree to William Creek. One of our party is thinking of driving a "normal" car. We are especially concerned after the stranding of people at William Creek this weekend. Does that mean the roads will be chopped up? We were hoping to return to NSW via the Strzelecki Track. What is your advice there?
Thanks for your help.
Jun 02, 2010
 Re road info on Maree to William Creek
by: Terry Everson

Hi Manon, I agree with Rita but you should make sure you visit the Flinders Ranges where you will get up to date information from the National Parks Office I`m sure. You shouldn`t have any problems with roads in the Ranges unless of course it has been or is raining at the time and if the roads north of Maree are out it isn`t far for you to return to the main north road to Alice. Cheers from Terry.
Jun 02, 2010
 Driver's experience
by: Rita

Hi Manon,

Terry expressed exactly what I wanted to say, driver's experience and careful driving is the key out there, whichever car you drive.

You can certainly get information in the Flinders in places like Wilpena and Rawnsley Park, there's probably internet access for travellers to check the road conditions.

As I said above, the best way is to go to Blinman and the via the Parachilna Gorge to the main road to Marree. And yes, don't forget to visit the other gorges in the Flinders.

Rita
Jun 01, 2010
 re:
by: Manon

And a last question (really sorry) which road do u recommand me to go from the flinders ranges to marree? (which one is the most scenic?)
Jun 01, 2010
 re:
by: Manon

Thanks for your tips guys !
I had a look at the outback roads report and it seems that for the moment we can go till William Creek with a normal car but then can't take the road from william creek to Copper Peddy. What do u think? There are only warnings from william creek to marree, is that fine?
Is the road from william creek to cooper peddy usually difficult or is it for 4WD only now because of the rain? Do u think the situation will be better in 12 days (i ckecked the weather forecast, it s not planned to rain for the next 10 days)? (I mean are 12 days reasonable enought to reopen this rd to normal cars?)
And where we can ckeck this information in the flinders ranges ? (not later because if can't go through these roads we have to come back on the normal road to alice springs)
Thanks very much for yr precious information ! ;-)
Jun 01, 2010
 Re Maree to William Creek
by: Terry Everson

Hi Manon, You are in for a good trip as long as the road conditions have improved after all the rain. When I did the William Creek to Coober Pedy road some years ago it was the best dirt road I had ever driven on, but you must remember dirt road conditions can change dramaticaly and in my case I had probably followed the grader. Outback roads are constantly being improved and with the influx of more tourists this will continue. I have travelled extensively around Australia, not always in a 4wd and I found if you take your time and drive to the conditions you will get to most places in an ordinary car.It depends on your experience I guess. One thing to remember never get in a situation where you have to brake hard on a gravel road, feather breaking is the go. Check the road conditions with local authorities when you reach the Flinders Ranges and don`t forget to do the Bunyeroo Valley road in the ranges. Cheers from Terry

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