Business · Economy · 1 day ago
Birdsville Track closure cuts off tourism and freight in the outback
The Birdsville Track, a largely unsealed route linking Birdsville in south-west Queensland with Marree in far-north South Australia, has been closed for 400 days over the past two years.
Heavy rain and flooding have damaged the road, which is used by tourists and to move cattle and freight.
The prolonged closure is hurting businesses along the route: Marree Roadhouse says its business is about one third of normal, while Mungerannie Hotel has not opened this year.
The hotel also relies on daily water deliveries that have been stopped by road closures.
South Australia’s Department for Infrastructure and Transport hopes to reopen the 200-kilometre section between Marree and Mungeranie next week.
Sections farther north are still underwater and could remain closed for several months while repairs are considered.
Until the track reopens, tourism and other activity along the route are likely to remain affected.
The Birdsville Track has been closed for 400 days over the past two years because of rain damage.
The road connects Birdsville in south-west Queensland with Marree in far-north South Australia and is used for freight, cattle movements and tourism.
The closure has sharply reduced business at Marree Roadhouse, while Mungerannie Hotel has not opened this year.
South Australia’s Department for Infrastructure and Transport hopes to reopen the 200-kilometre section between Marree and Mungeranie next week.
Northern sections could remain closed for several more months because they are still underwater and local sources of road materials have flooded.
- Who
- Outback businesses, including Marree Roadhouse and Mungerannie Hotel, are affected by the closure.
- What
- Rain damage has kept the Birdsville Track closed for 400 days over the past two years.
- When
- The closure has occurred over the past two years; the article was published on October 11, 2026.
- Where
- The Birdsville Track runs between Birdsville in south-west Queensland and Marree in far-north South Australia.
- Why
- Rain and flooding have damaged the largely unsealed road, with some northern sections still underwater.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The Mungerannie Hotel was taken over by new owners.
Andrew Norman said the hotel had no sort of season whatsoever.
The Birdsville Track was closed for 400 days because of rain damage.
The department hoped to reopen the Marree-to-Mungeranie section the following week, while northern sections could remain closed for several more months.
- Closure
- 400 days over the past two years
- Road length
- More than 500 kilometres
- Planned reopening section
- 200 kilometres between Marree and Mungeranie
- Marree Roadhouse business
- About one third of its normal level
- Mungerannie Hotel
- Has not opened all year
What people are saying
My family [has] been here since 1934 and it's never ever happened that the Birdsville Track has been closed any longer than a month
If the track is open, we'll be open. But without a track, we're not open.
several more months before [the department] can even consider reopening
Sources
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