RoadAtlas
Tanami Track — Australia — Desert
Australia & Pacific

Tanami Track

Australia

Point-to-point
Alice Springs Halls Creek

In short: Tanami Track is a 1,060 km plus Wolfe Creek access desert road trip in Australia, typically driven over 5 days, best in May–Sep. Highlights: Alice Springs, Yuendumu, Rabbit Flat sector.

Distance
1,060 km plus Wolfe Creek access
Duration
5 days
Best Season
May–Sep
NotableHard4WD onlyDesertOff-road sectionsPermit requiredGuide recommended

One of Australia's great remote desert crossings, a corrugated dirt road through Warlpiri and Kukatja country from Alice Springs to Halls Creek. Red spinifex plains, a 900m meteorite crater, and near-complete solitude.

~1 refuel
~3 charges
Practical notes
Check the NT Road Report (https://roadreport.nt.gov.au/), Shire of Halls Creek road report (https://www.hallscreek.wa.gov.au/services/road-conditions) and Wolfe Creek park page immediately before every leg and after rain. Obtain required Aboriginal-land/community permissions; the road is not permission to tour a community. Use a high-clearance remote-area 4WD with two spares, recovery gear, calculated fuel/water, satellite communications and a contingency day. Rabbit Flat has had no services since 2010. Carry all food, never depend on an unconfirmed store, and attempt Wolfe Creek before Halls Creek only in dry, open conditions with a full daylight margin.

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Day-by-day itinerary

Day 1Alice Springs to Yuendumu

Warlukurlangu Artists · Carried expedition meal

Day 2Yuendumu to pre-planned permitted remote camp east of Rabbit Flat

Tanami Road remote transfer · Carried Tanami expedition meal

Day 3Remote Tanami camp to Billiluna

Tanami Road to Billiluna · Billiluna Store supplies

Day 4Billiluna to Wolfe Creek Crater camp, conditional on access

Wolfe Creek Meteorite Crater · Billiluna-packed camp meal

Day 5Wolfe Creek Crater to Halls Creek

Halls Creek arrival and vehicle check · Kimberley Hotel restaurant

Stops along the route

Alice Springs — Departure — Tanami Track — Australia
Departure
Alice Springs
Prepare remote fuel, food and communications.
Hotels
Yuendumu — City — Tanami Track — Australia
City
Yuendumu
Visit only the public art centre during confirmed hours.
Billiluna — City — Tanami Track — Australia
City
Billiluna
Use only with permission and confirmed fuel/store access.
Halls Creek — Arrival — Tanami Track — Australia
Arrival
Halls Creek
Finish and service the vehicle.

Things to Do

Rabbit Flat sector — Landmark — Tanami Track — Australia
Landmark
Rabbit Flat sector
There have been no services since 2010; use the exact planned camp.
Wolfe Creek Crater — Nature — Tanami Track — Australia
Nature
Wolfe Creek Crater
This optional dry-road stop comes before Halls Creek.
Warlukurlangu Artists — Aboriginal art centre — Tanami Track — Australia
Aboriginal art centre
Warlukurlangu Artists
Visit only during confirmed public gallery hours and follow community access rules; do not add school or community-facility touring.
Tanami Road remote transfer — Remote 4WD leg — Tanami Track — Australia
Remote 4WD leg
Tanami Road remote transfer
Use the exact expedition GPS camp selected from current access advice; Rabbit Flat is a no-service landmark, not an attraction.
Tanami Road to Billiluna — Remote 4WD leg — Tanami Track — Australia
Remote 4WD leg
Tanami Road to Billiluna
Keep the day for the long transfer, border rules, fuel and rest; there is no wildlife sanctuary stop.
Wolfe Creek Meteorite Crater — Conditional national park visit — Tanami Track — Australia
Conditional national park visit
Wolfe Creek Meteorite Crater
Attempt only when Tanami Road and the park access road are dry and open, with booked/allowed camping and enough daylight; otherwise continue to Halls Creek.
Show 1 more
Halls Creek arrival and vehicle check — Route finish — Tanami Track — Australia
Route finish
Halls Creek arrival and vehicle check
Use the day to complete the park access road and reach town without rushing.

Where to Eat

Carried expedition meal — Self-catering — Tanami Track — Australia
Self-catering
Carried expedition meal
Buy and carry all meals from Alice Springs; community stores are contingency supplies, not restaurant plans.
Billiluna Store supplies — Remote store supplies — Tanami Track — Australia
Remote store supplies
Billiluna Store supplies
Confirm permission, fuel and opening; retain carried meals if unavailable.
Kimberley Hotel restaurant — Hotel meals — Tanami Track — Australia
Hotel meals
Kimberley Hotel restaurant
Reserve and reconfirm the Halls Creek finish meal.

Nearby and similar drives

Frequently asked questions

How long is the Tanami Track drive?

The Tanami Track covers 1,060 km plus Wolfe Creek access from start to finish.

How long does the Tanami Track take to drive?

Most travellers spend 5 days on the Tanami Track, depending on stops and pace.

When is the best time to drive the Tanami Track?

The recommended season for the Tanami Track is May–Sep.

Where does the Tanami Track start and end?

The Tanami Track runs from Alice Springs to Halls Creek.

What are the main stops on the Tanami Track?

The Tanami Track passes through Alice Springs, Yuendumu, Rabbit Flat sector.

How difficult is the Tanami Track to drive?

The Tanami Track is rated hard and is best handled with 4wd only.

Do I need a 4WD for the Tanami Track?

Yes — the Tanami Track includes off-road or rough sections that require 4wd only.

Do I need a permit or border paperwork for the Tanami Track?

Yes — the Tanami Track requires permits, fees, or border paperwork. Plan ahead: Check the NT Road Report (https://roadreport.nt.gov.au/), Shire of Halls Creek road report (https://www.hallscreek.wa.gov.au/services/road-conditions) and Wolfe Creek park page immediately before every leg and after rain. Obtain required Aboriginal-land/community permissions; the road is not permission to tour a community. Use a high-clearance remote-area 4WD with two spares, recovery gear, calculated fuel/water, satellite communications and a contingency day. Rabbit Flat has had no services since 2010. Carry all food, never depend on an unconfirmed store, and attempt Wolfe Creek before Halls Creek only in dry, open conditions with a full daylight margin.

How many fuel stops are needed on the Tanami Track?

Plan around 1 refuels (or about 3 EV charges) along the Tanami Track, based on its 1,060 km plus Wolfe Creek access length.

Is the Tanami Track safe to drive?

Check the NT Road Report (https://roadreport.nt.gov.au/), Shire of Halls Creek road report (https://www.hallscreek.wa.gov.au/services/road-conditions) and Wolfe Creek park page immediately before every leg and after rain. Obtain required Aboriginal-land/community permissions; the road is not permission to tour a community. Use a high-clearance remote-area 4WD with two spares, recovery gear, calculated fuel/water, satellite communications and a contingency day. Rabbit Flat has had no services since 2010. Carry all food, never depend on an unconfirmed store, and attempt Wolfe Creek before Halls Creek only in dry, open conditions with a full daylight margin.

What scenic tier is the Tanami Track?

The Tanami Track is a notable drive — Notable scenic drives — strong character routes that locals know well and that reward travellers willing to step beyond the most-photographed roads.