Heavy rainfall over the weekend has led to numerous road closures in the northern and western parts of the South Australian outback. The deluge, caused by an unusual meteorological pattern, has dumped an entire season’s worth of rain on several states, severely affecting travel and infrastructure in these areas.
Birdsville, Blinman, Coober Pedy, Iron Knob, Parachilna, Roxby Downs and other areas have been impacted (full list below).
The heavy rains have been attributed to a strong high-pressure system to the south of Australia, pulling moisture-laden air from the east. This moist air, originating from unusually warm seas, is colliding with a cut-off upper-level low-pressure system, leading to significant rainfall across central and eastern Australia. Impacts are being particularly felt in parts of South Australia and Queensland, with cloud cover increasing, and rains expected to spread to New South Wales and further into Qld in the coming days.
According to the latest reports, numerous roads across the SA outback are temporarily closed or under severe restrictions, with assessments pending as conditions evolve. Arrabury Road and sections of the Cordillo Downs Road have suffered severe rain damage, with reassessments scheduled for Friday, 12 July. Similarly, the Birdsville Inside Track is closed until further notice due to flooding, affecting travellers and local communities alike.
The Department for Infrastructure and Transport (DIT) has issued a travel advisory, urging motorists to use caution and check the latest road conditions before heading into the outback. Due to a satellite outage, updates to DIT outback road signs are not automatically refreshing. Travellers are advised to scan QR codes on road signs for the latest information or refer to the Outback Road Warnings page.
Roads open with warnings include Innamincka to Nappa Merrie and Lyndhurst to Marree, where drivers should remain vigilant due to damaged road surfaces. Public Access Routes (PARs), which provide public access across pastoral lands, are also affected, with several closures due to flooding and ongoing maintenance work.
For those planning travel in these regions, it is critical to stay informed by consulting the Bureau of Meteorology for weather updates and flood warnings. To report road hazards or incidents, the public is encouraged to contact the relevant authorities.
Roads temporarily closed
| Arrabury Road | Due to severe rain damage. Reassess Friday 12 July. |
| Balcanoona – Arkaroola | Due to rain, reassess Tuesday 9 July mid afternoon |
| Balcanoona to Blinman | Due to rain, reassess Tuesday 9 July mid afternoon |
| Birdsville Inside Track | Due to flooding until further notice. |
| Birdsville Track – Mungeranie to Marree | Due to rain, reassess Sunday 7 July in afternoon |
| Birdsville Track – SA Border to Mungeranie | Due to rain, reassess Sun 7 July in afternoon |
| Brachina Gorge Road | Due to rain, reassess Tuesday 9 July mid afternoon |
| Bunyeroo Gorge Road | Due to rain, reassess Tuesday 9 July mid afternoon |
| Coober Pedy – William Creek | Road very slippery due to rain. Reassess Saturday 6 July. |
| Cooper Creek Ferry Crossing Road | Due to flood damage until further notice. |
| Copley – Nepabunna | Due to rain, reassess Tuesday 9 July mid-morning |
| Cordillo Downs Road – Arrabury turn off to SA/QLD Border | Due to severe rain damage. Reassess Friday 12 July. |
| Cordillo Downs Road – Innamincka to Arrabury turn off | Due to severe rain damage. Reassess Friday 12 July. |
| Farina to Mulgaria via Witchelina | Due to rain, reassess Tuesday 9 July in afternoon |
| Glass Gorge Road | Due to rain, reassess Tuesday 9 July mid afternoon |
| Hideaway to Curnamona via Martins Well | Due to rain, reassess Tuesday 9 July in afternoon |
| Iron Knob to Hiltaba | Due to rain reassess Sunday 7 July in afternoon. |
| Kingoonya – Wirrulla | Due to rain, reassess Sunday 7 July in afternoon |
| Kingoonya to Stuart Hwy (Gosses) | Due to rain reassess Tuesday 9 July in afternoon |
| Marree – Muloorina | Due to rain, reassess Sunday 7 July in afternoon |
| Merty Merty – Cameron Corner | Due to extensive rain damage. Reassess Tuesday 9 July. |
| Moralana Scenic Drive | Due to rain, reassess Tuesday 9 July mid afternoon |
| Mt Barry to Arkaringa | Due to Rain, reassess, Monday 8 July |
| Mt Barry to San Marino | Due to Rain, Reassess Tues 9 July |
| Mt Hopeless – Balcanoona (via Moolawatana) | Due to rain, reassess Tuesday 9 July mid afternoon |
| Mungeranie – Kalamurina | Due to rain damage. Reassess Tuesday 9 July. |
| Nepabunna – Balcanoona | Due to rain, reassess Tuesday 9 July mid afternoon |
| Oodnadatta – Coober Pedy (Kempe Road) | Due to Rain, reassess mid-morning Monday 8 July. |
| Oodnadatta Track – Marla to Oodnadatta | Due to rain, reassess Sunday 7 July in afternoon. |
| Oodnadatta Track – Oodnadatta to William Creek | Due to Rain, reassess mid-morning Monday 8 July. |
| Oodnadatta Track – William Creek to Marree | Due to Rain, reassess mid-morning Monday 8 July |
| Painted Desert Road | Due to Rain, reassess mid-morning Tues 9 July. |
| Parachilna to Blinman | Due to rain, reassess Tuesday 9 July mid afternoon |
| Rawnsley Park – Martins Well | Due to rain, reassess Tuesday 9 July in afternoon |
| Roxby Downs to Bopeechee (Borefield Road) | Due to rain, reassess Sunday 7 July in afternoon |
| Skull Tanks to Pondana Ruins via Kangaroo Well | Due to rain, reassess Sunday 7 July in afternoon |
| Strzelecki Track – Innamincka to Merty Merty | Due to Rain, reassess Monday 8 July mid afternoon |
| Strzelecki Track – Merty Merty to Mt Hopeless | Due to rain making road very slippery, reassess Sunday 7 July in afternoon |
| Strzelecki Track – Mt Hopeless to Lyndhurst | Due to rain, reassess Sunday 7 July in afternoon |
| Tarcoola – Glendambo | Due to rain, reassess Sunday 7 in afternoon |
| Tea Tree – Yunta | Due to rain, reassess Tuesday 9 July afternoon |
| The Knob – Mt Fitton Mine | Due to rain, reassess Tuesday 9 July mid afternoon |
| Thurlga Station to Kimba | Due to rain, reassess Tuesday 9 July in afternoon |
| Warraweena Sanctury Access | Due to rain, reassess Tuesday 9 July in afternoon |
| Wirrealpa to Oraparinna | Due to rain, reassess Tuesday 9 July in afternoon |
| Yardea Station to Minnipa | Due to rain, reassess Sunday 7 July in afternoon |
| Yorkeys Crossing (Port Augusta Heavy Vehicle Bypass) | Due to rain, reassess Tuesday 9 July in afternoon |
Roads Open with Warnings
| Innamincka – Nappa Merrie | Caution at sections where seal has been damaged. |
| Lyndhurst – Marree | Caution due to damaged seal. Be aware of speed restrictions at various locations. |
| Mintabie Road | Caution at wheel rutting and road scours. |
More News
