OCCV

Offroad and Camping Club of Victoria

Camping Information

Googs Track

Byoccvic

Dec 15, 2025 #4WD, #camping, #south australia, #tracks, #travel
Westringia_rigida_Googs_Track_plant

A remote and iconic 4WD route in South Australia, running from the Lone Oak area north of Ceduna to the small rail settlement of Tarcoola on the Trans-Australian Railway. The track crosses hundreds of sand dunes and passes through stark, beautiful outback country. With no towns or services along the way, it demands self-sufficiency and careful preparation, but rewards travellers with a true sense of isolation, history, and adventure that captures the spirit of Australian outback exploration.

  • Starts: At Ceduna (actually a few kilometres north at the rail siding of Lone Oak).
  • Finishes: At Tarcoola, a remote outback railway settlement on the Trans-Australian Railway line.

Most people drive northbound from Ceduna to Tarcoola.

  • The track was built by John “Goog” Denton, his wife Jenny, and their family between 1973 and 1976.
  • With no government backing, they pushed through sand dunes, scrub and desert country, using a homemade grader and sheer persistence.
  • Their goal was to create a direct route from their farm near Ceduna to Tarcoola.
  • Along the way they hand-built features such as Goog’s Lake and left markers that remain part of the track’s character.
  • Tragically, Goog and his son Martin both died in separate accidents in the years after the track was completed, adding a poignant element to its story.
  • Today Googs Track is a well-known outback challenge featuring more than 300 sand dunes, remote desert scenery, and iconic memorials to Goog and Martin.

John “Goog” Denton

An Australian bushman, farmer and determined self-taught road builder best known for creating Googs Track, one of South Australia’s most iconic outback 4WD routes.

Living on a remote property near Ceduna, Denton became frustrated by the long coastal route required to reach Tarcoola and central Australia. In the early 1970s, with no government support, he set out to carve a direct inland route through harsh desert country. Using a homemade grader and basic equipment, Goog—along with his wife Jenny and children, including his son Martin—spent several years pushing through sand dunes, scrub and isolation to create the track between 1973 and 1976.

The project was a remarkable achievement of perseverance and ingenuity, carried out in extreme conditions and largely alone. Goog also created landmarks along the way, including Goog’s Lake, which remains a popular campsite today. Tragically, both Goog and his son Martin later lost their lives in separate accidents, giving the track a deep emotional significance for many travellers.

Today, John “Goog” Denton is remembered as a symbol of outback determination and pioneering spirit, and Googs Track stands as a lasting legacy of one man’s vision to open up the Australian desert through sheer grit and resilience.

Before You Go

Preparing your vehicle for Googs Track is critical, as it is a remote sand-dune crossing with no services or recovery support.

Your vehicle should be a reliable low-range 4WD in excellent mechanical condition. Before departure, check cooling system, belts, hoses, wheel bearings, brakes, suspension and driveline. Tyres should be in good condition with strong sidewalls, and carrying two spares is recommended. A compressor and tyre gauge are essential, as you’ll need to lower tyre pressures significantly for the soft dunes and reinflate later.

Ensure the vehicle is properly set up for recovery with rated recovery points, a snatch strap, shovel, and traction boards. A sand flag mounted high on the vehicle is strongly recommended for visibility on dune crests. Protect vulnerable components with underbody protection, and secure all loads to avoid shifting on steep dune climbs.

Carry sufficient fuel capacity to comfortably reach Tarcoola with a safety margin, and ensure water is stored securely. Electrical systems should be sound, with a dual-battery setup ideal for fridges, radios, and charging devices. Fit or carry reliable navigation and communication gear, such as UHF radio and a satellite phone or PLB.

A well-prepared vehicle not only reduces the risk of breakdowns but ensures you can fully enjoy the challenge, isolation, and history of Googs Track with confidence.

NOTE: The track is not suitable for trailers and caravans.

NOTE: “All vehi­cles must be fit­ted with a safe­ty flag when trav­el­ling through Yum­bar­ra Con­ser­va­tion Park.”1

Supplies for Travel

When travelling Googs Track, you need to be completely self-sufficient, so carrying the right gear is essential for safety, recovery, and comfort.

  • Vehicle & recovery gear
    • Rated front and rear recovery points
    • Snatch strap, shackles (rated), and/or soft shackles
    • Shovel (long-handled is best for sand)
    • Traction boards
    • Tyre deflator, pressure gauge, and air compressor
    • Two spare tyres, puncture repair kit, and tyre levers
    • Sand flag mounted high on the vehicle
  • Tools & spares
    • Basic tool kit suitable for your vehicle
    • Spare belts, hoses, fuses, engine oil, coolant, and brake fluid
    • Electrical repair kit (wire, connectors, tape)
    • Duct tape and cable ties for temporary fixes
  • Fuel, water & supplies
    • Sufficient fuel to travel Ceduna/Lone Oak to Tarcoola with a safety margin
    • Plenty of water (minimum 5–7 litres per person per day, plus emergency reserve)
    • Extra food in case of delays
  • Navigation & communication
    • UHF radio (essential when travelling in a group)
    • Satellite phone or PLB (mobile coverage is unreliable)
    • GPS or mapping app, paper maps as backup
  • Camping & personal gear
    • Tent or swag, sleeping gear
    • Cooking equipment, stove, and fuel
    • Sun protection: hat, sunscreen, long sleeves
    • Insect repellent
    • Rubbish bags (leave no trace)
  • Safety & emergency items
    • First aid kit
    • Fire extinguisher
    • Head torch or camp lighting
    • Emergency shelter or tarp
    • Sand flag

When to Travel

The best time to drive Googs Track is during the cooler months from May to September, when daytime temperatures are milder and safer for desert travel. Winter and early spring also reduce the risk of heat stress and vehicle overheating, while still offering clear conditions for dune driving and camping. Summer is generally not recommended due to extreme heat, increased mechanical risk, and the danger of becoming stranded in very hot conditions.

Things to See Along the Track

John “Goog” Denton & Martin Denton Monument

The monument is located on Googs Track near Goog’s Lake, serving as a tribute to the father and son who played a central role in creating the track. The memorial honours John Denton’s determination in carving the route through remote desert country during the 1970s, and remembers his son Martin, who helped on the project and later died tragically. For many travellers, the monument is a quiet and reflective stop that highlights the human story, perseverance, and sacrifice behind one of South Australia’s most iconic outback 4WD routes.

Yumbarra Conservation Park

A remote and rugged protected area in South Australia’s far west, bordering parts of Googs Track and the Great Victoria Desert. The park is known for its rolling sand dunes, mallee scrub, spinifex plains, and rocky outcrops, as well as its sense of isolation and wilderness. It is rich in Aboriginal cultural heritage, supports diverse desert wildlife, and offers experienced 4WD travellers opportunities for remote driving, bush camping, wildlife observation, and stargazing in a truly untouched outback environment.

  • Goog’s Lake – A man-made claypan created by John “Goog” Denton, and a popular bush camping spot with shade and history.
  • Mount Finke – a prominent desert landmark near Googs Track, offering sweeping views across the sand dunes and a strong sense of the vastness of the Great Victoria Desert
  • Endless sand dunes – More than 300 dunes running north–south, providing classic desert scenery and 4WD challenges.
  • Tarcoola Railway Settlement – A historic rail junction marking the northern end of the track and a glimpse into outback rail history.

The Great Victoria Desert

Australia’s largest desert, stretching across vast areas of Western Australia and South Australia and covering more than 400,000 square kilometres. It is characterised by long parallel sand dunes, expansive spinifex grasslands, mallee scrub, and scattered salt lakes and claypans. Despite its harsh reputation, the desert supports a surprisingly diverse range of plant and animal life adapted to extreme heat, low rainfall, and nutrient-poor soils.

Culturally and historically, the Great Victoria Desert is deeply significant to Aboriginal peoples, including the Spinifex and other Western Desert communities, who have lived in and managed this landscape for tens of thousands of years. In the 20th century, parts of the desert became associated with exploration, pastoral expansion, and military testing, leaving a complex legacy. Today, large areas are protected within conservation parks and reserves, and for modern travellers, the desert represents one of Australia’s last true wilderness regions—remote, challenging, and rich in natural and cultural heritage.

As part of Googs Track, the Great Victoria Desert reveals its raw and remote character through long chains of sand dunes, spinifex plains and mallee scrub stretching to the horizon. Travelling this route gives a firsthand experience of the desert’s isolation, where the landscape changes subtly between dunes and swales and the sense of distance and quiet is constant.

The desert section of Googs Track is also rich in history and meaning, shaped by Aboriginal cultural connections and the remarkable effort of John “Goog” Denton and his family in carving a route through such unforgiving country. For those driving the track, the Great Victoria Desert is not just scenery but a defining part of the journey, offering solitude, challenge and a deep appreciation for Australia’s vast outback.

Camping Along the Track

  • Goog’s Lake (Yum­bar­ra Con­ser­va­tion Park) – The most popular campsite on the track; flat areas, shade, fire pits (check fire restrictions), tables, toilet and close to the Denton monument.
    • NOTE: Fee needs to be paid before you go.
  • Bush camps along the track – Many informal clearings between dunes suitable for overnight stops; truly remote and quiet.
  • Near Mount Finke (Yum­bar­ra Con­ser­va­tion Park) – Some travellers camp in the general area (no facilities) while exploring this prominent desert landmark.
    • NOTE: Fee needs to be paid before you go.
  • Tarcoola – At the northern end; limited camping options and basic facilities near the railway settlement.
  • Ceduna – At the southern end; caravan parks, campgrounds, and full accommodation options to prepare before departure.

Flora along the track

Along Googs Track, plant life reflects the harsh conditions of the Great Victoria Desert, with hardy species adapted to sand, heat, and low rainfall.

  • Spinifex grass – The most dominant plant, forming tough hummocks across dunes and plains and stabilising the sand.
  • Mallee eucalypts – Multi-stemmed eucalypts that survive fire and drought, commonly seen in swales between dunes.
  • Desert oak (Allocasuarina decaisneana) – Tall, striking trees found in parts of the region, especially on firmer ground.
  • Saltbush and bluebush – Low shrubs growing in claypans and depressions where moisture lingers longer.
  • Grevilleas and acacias (wattles) – Flowering shrubs that add colour after rain and provide food for birds and insects.
  • Native peas and wildflowers – Often appear briefly after good rainfall, transforming sections of the track with colour.
  • Mulga – Found in some areas, providing shade and an important habitat for wildlife.

Fauna You Might See on the Track

Wildlife along Googs Track is typical of the Great Victoria Desert, with animals well adapted to dry, remote conditions.

  • Common wildlife
    • Red kangaroos and western grey kangaroos – Often seen at dawn and dusk.
    • Euros (hill kangaroos) – Found around rocky areas such as Mount Finke.
    • Emus – Frequently spotted crossing the track or moving through open country.
    • Goannas (perentie and sand goanna) – Common basking on the track in warmer weather.
    • Dingoes – Occasionally seen or heard, especially at night.
  • Birdlife
    • Wedge-tailed eagles – Regularly soaring above dunes and plains.
    • Galahs, corellas and cockatoos – Often near water sources or claypans.
    • Zebra finches and budgerigars – Especially after rain.
    • Bush stone-curlews – Rare but sometimes encountered.
  • Reptiles & smaller animals
    • Snakes (brown snakes and others) – More active in warmer months.
    • Bearded dragons and skinks
    • Echidnas – Occasionally seen foraging.
Zebra Finch

Books and Maps

  • My Memories of Pushing Goog’s Track by Jenny Denton
  • Googs Track 5th Edition by Westprint Outback Maps

Useful Websites

yellabinna-rr-wpa-mapDownload
  1. https://www.parks.sa.gov.au/parks/yumbarra-conservation-park#safety ↩︎

By occvic

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