Marla to Oodnadatta

Pretty easy drive and the road is usually in reasonable condition should take 3 or so hours per section. Depends if you want to sight see on the way.

Hi Dan

As you will be aware, rain will be your biggest enemy out there and any sign of rain, keep well clear of the area, as those tracks will turn very quickly.

Coming from Marla, the first part of the road follows parts of the original Stuart Highway and will be rocky and you will need to keep your speed down.The moment that you hit the boundary of Todmorden Station, the road improves 100% and it is then a good, very well compacted dirt road that at times will think you are driving on concrete. If you leave Marla around 9am, you will be comfortably having your lunch break at Oodnadatta.

Leaving Oodnadatta, you will be travelling on Kempe Road and again this is usually in very good condition and you should be able to sit very comfortable at around 80kph. There may be the temptation to increase your speed, but you are better to sit on a steady speed and be prepared for the unexpected.

If you have time on your side and have not been in this area before, a detour off to the Painted Desert Road is well worth it and and drop into and see the Painted Desert. If you intend to camp in that area, Arckaringa Station offer camping, but it is advisable to bring in some wood for your campfire.

From Arckaringa you can then either head further west and come out onto the Stuart Highway, or if you want to still use the good dirt roads, continue out from Archaringa and take the Mount Barry Road which will bring you out again onto Kempe Road.

Either way, its a great drive, and just take your time to soak up the solitude of that piece of outback South Australia.



Cheers



Stephen

Why worry about the time it takes. In this case Google is not your friend. If concerned about the times you won't see much of what is there to experience. Be prepared to stop and take it in, maybe stop overnight more than once.

Hi Dan
Agree with everything stated here. We did Oodnadatta to Yulara in one day. A bit of a rush but it gives you some idea as to the condition of the Oodnadatta Track. In the dry it is more like an unsealed highway.Arckaringa Station is a good place to stay. It certainly was back in 2013 when we were there.The Breakaways just north of Coober Pedy is also worth a visit.