The Strzelecki Track (blue and white) and the old part of the track at the northern end Transferring mail from a camel-drawn coach to a motor truck at Carraweena, near the mid-point of the Strzelecki Track, about 1920
In 1870, the 472-kilometre (293-mile) track was pioneered by stockman, drover and cattle thief Harry Readford.[3] He stole 1,000 head of cattle from a remote cattle station in Queensland. He drove them down the track, and sold them at Blanchewater Station. He then fled to Adelaide. Pastoralists then used the track as a stock route in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. [4]
After gas was discovered by Santos in the 1960s, it started carrying more traffic as a route to Moomba. Some sections were sealed.[4]
Description
The track links Innamincka to Lyndhurst through the Strzelecki Desert. It is mostly unsealed, but with a few short sealed sections to facilitate overtaking.[5] It is passable to conventional vehicles during the dry season, although caution is required.[3]
The track is prone to flooding after heavy rains. At other times the surface can be corrugated, with loose stones and dust.[4]
The Strzelecki Track is linked with the Birdsville Track via the Walkers Crossing Track. It is closed in summer and only traversable in dry weather.[4]
A shorter route is available via a public access road between Moomba and Innamincka, making the distance 458 kilometres (285 miles).[6]
Heritage listings
A number of isolated heritage-listed sites are located nearby to the Strzelecki Track:
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