Border Track (Big Desert)
About this track
The Border Track is a 120 km remote desert route threading through the Big Desert and Wyperfeld mallee country on the South Australia–Victoria border, offering experienced 4WDers a genuine wilderness drive through soft sandy terrain and low scrub. It's a moderate-grade track that rewards careful navigation and thorough preparation with authentic outback isolation, wide horizons and a taste of inland mallee country without the extremes of far-desert travel.
Highlights
- Soft sand dunes across Big Desert mallee country
- Genuine remoteness within reach of Melbourne
- Scenic scrub and native vegetation along SA/VIC border
- Multiple entry points at Murrayville and Pinnaroo
- Navigation essential — limited markers, easy to drift off line
What to expect
Sandy, undulating terrain with soft corrugations and washboard in places. The track winds through low mallee scrub and spinifex grassland; recent rain can soften sand further and create bogging risk. No major water crossings, but numerous sandy rises demand low-range work. Remoteness is moderate but real — help is 30+ km away. Navigation by GPS or paper map is mandatory; visual track markers are sparse.
Permits, prep & good to know
- Permits: No — confirm current details before you go.
- Surface / hazards: Soft sand, scrub.
- Remoteness: Moderate — travel self-sufficient.
No permits required. Travel April–October to avoid summer heat and winter bog risk. Carry 100+ litres of water per vehicle and full fuel jerry cans; fuel stops at Pinnaroo (SA) and Murrayville (VIC) are basic. Convoy travel recommended. Take recovery gear, sand flags, dual battery setup and UHF. Check local conditions with Wyperfeld National Park ranger or SA Parks before departure — closures after heavy rain are common. Leave no trace in this sensitive mallee ecosystem.