Marree - an oasis in the dessert

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Marree in South Australia, is a small settlement on the edge of the central dessert areas of Australia. The town is located 685 kilometres north of Adelaide. Here is the start of two famous Outback routes – the Birdsville Track and the Oodnadatta Track. Marree is one of these magic Outback towns with a diverse history. In 1872 the place was called Hergott Springs. It used to be a camp for workers who serviced the Overland Telegraph Line. The line connected Adelaide and Darwin with the rest of the world. It was some great engineering in these days. Marree was proclaimed in 1883 but still called Hergott Springs. The name was kept until World War I and then it was dropped in favour of Marree because of anti German campaigns.

Marree is located along the “Old Ghan Railway”. The train line reached the town in 1884. The community was a railhead for many years and became a major centre in the region. Cattle from remote Outback stations could now be transported by rail to Adelaide. The rail construction went forward and connected more places for example Curdimurka, Coward Springs, William Creek and Algebuckina before the railway reached Oodnadatta in 1891.

The train was called “The Ghan” - in relation to the Afghan cameleers who serviced most of central Australia with their camels. The Afghan camel teams provided transportation of supplies to remote Outback cattle and sheep stations. On their way back they carried wool and other farm products to the train stations for further transportation to Adelaide. Camels had an important role for the development of Australia. They were used in building projects as well as for survey explorations, mail service and freight transportation. Even policemen mounted on camels were quite common.

But the Old Ghan railway wasn’t a success. It couldn’t resist the harsh weather conditions. Extensive rainfall caused always damage to the line and the service was unreliable. Sometimes passengers got stuck for many days or even weeks in remote outback places. The train carried spare railway sleepers and tools. On many occasions passengers and crew worked as a team repairing the rail track. In 1980 the line closed in favour of a new track further west. Marree lost its significance of a railway town. The population declined; today the figure is approximately 150 people.

Today - Marree has an important role as a supply centre for surrounding Outback stations and as a tourist destination. It’s location at the start of the Birdsville and the Oodnadatta Track brings many visitors to the community. The town has a Post Office, two caravan parks, a hotel, a roadhouse including a general store, a café, an Aboriginal school, a hospital, a police station and a community centre.

Visit the Marree Hotel

See the Open Air Museum around the railway station

Book a scenic flight to Lake Eyre

See the Picnic Race Meeting, Gymkhana and Bronco Branding in June

Visit the Camel Cup in July

Due to its location at the edge of the central dessert areas of Australia the town is a very hot place in the summer. The best time for a trip in this region is between April and October. See climate chart below for details. Temperatures rounded to nearest degree.

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