Anne Beadell Highway is an outback unsealed track linking Coober Pedy, South Australia, and Laverton, Western Australia.
The track was surveyed and built by Len Beadell, Australian surveyor, who named it after his wife.
Its total length is about 1340 km (830 miles). The track passes through very remote arid deserts, which often have summer temperatures of 50°C, and scrub territory in Western Australia. Red sand dunes predominate for a major part of the track.
The track is suitable for only well provisioned and experienced four wheel drivers.
There are no settlements between Coober Pedy and Laverton. A roadhouse named Ilkurlka has opened in Western Australia, 165 km (100 miles) west of the South Australia border and at the intersection of the Madura Loongana Track (Aboriginal Business Road) and the Anne Beadell Highway.
The roadhouse caters mainly to local Aboriginal communities and may be the most isolated roadhouse in Australia. There are still no provisions for the 750 km (466 miles) between Ilkurlka and Coober Pedy.
Because the track is remote and not signposted, GPS is advisable and an HF radio is essential. In good conditions, it may take 5 days to complete the journey. However, hazards such as flat tyres, breakdowns, and the occasional flash floods must be taken into account.
