Ocean to Outback — The Goog's Track Adventure
Adventure Gear Australia Presents
Ocean to Outback
From SA's finest oyster farm to the red dunes of Googs Track, and into the heart of station country at Lake Everard.
The Trip
In the 4WD community, this route already has a name. People who've done it call it the Goog's trip, named for the iconic Googs Track, hand-built through the outback dunes by John "Goog" Denton and his family between 1973 and 1976. We're bringing it back properly, expanded from ocean to outback.
This is a genuine expedition: no caterer, no resort, no caravan park. You'll drive from the South Australian coast, cold oysters in hand, deep into the outback, crossing 370+ sand dunes, sleeping under more stars than you knew existed, and finishing on one of SA's oldest working stations with a salt lake the size of a small country at your doorstep.
We depart Kimba on Monday 6 July and wrap up at Mt Ive Station on Monday 13 July, where everyone makes their own way home.
Why This Trip Stands Apart
Night one is on the actual oyster farm property at Smoky Bay, not a caravan park. Wake up to the smell of fresh seafood before the red dust begins.
Sit down with the wife of the man who built Googs Track. History direct from the family.
Every night is remote camping: oyster farm, dune country, outback flats, working station. Zero caravan parks, zero powered sites.
Most tours end at the track exit. We finish on a working 84,000-hectare station with guided walks across ancient volcanic country.
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Morning - Pre-Trip Briefing
Kimba, Gateway to the West
We meet in Kimba, South Australia's geographic centre and the last proper town before the road runs west into nothing. Vehicle checks, convoy briefing, and route notes issued. We leave as a group.
Afternoon / Evening - Night 1
Smoky Bay - Stay on the Oyster Farm
We drive west to Smoky Bay and stay the night on the oyster farm property itself. One of SA's premium producers, working in the pristine waters of the Eyre Peninsula. Get settled in, get the fire going, and enjoy the coastal air before the red dirt begins.
Morning
Smoky Bay Oyster Tour
A guided tour of the farm, from spat to harvest. Learn how these premium shellfish are farmed in the clean, cold waters off the Eyre Peninsula. A rare behind-the-scenes look before we point the bonnets north.
Midday - History Stop
Ceduna National Trust Museum
A stop at the Ceduna National Trust Museum before we leave the coast behind. A window into the region's pastoral, maritime, and Indigenous history. The kind of context that makes the landscape ahead feel lived-in, not empty.
Afternoon - A Special Stop
Tea and Coffee with Jenny Denton
Jenny Denton's husband built Googs Track. John "Goog" Denton spent three years from 1973 to 1976 forging a route through more than 370 sand dunes with a homemade grader and a level of determination that's hard to fathom. We stop for tea and coffee with Jenny before entering the track her father carved. You'll cross every dune differently once you've heard the story straight from the family.
Afternoon / Evening - Night 2
Googs Lake - Into the Track
We enter Googs Track and make camp at Googs Lake. Fire up, stars out, no signal. Welcome to the outback.
Rest and Explore - Night 3
Googs Lake - A Day in the Dunes
We stay put. Use the day to explore by foot or vehicle: sharp-edged sand ridges up to 20 metres high, pockets of green bushland between the dunes, and ancient country the Kokatha people have known for at least 30,000 years. No agenda. No schedule. Camp again at Googs Lake tonight.
Drive and Camp - Night 4
Mount Finke - Camp on the Granite
We move deeper into the track and camp at Mount Finke, a granite outcrop rising from a sea of red dunes. An optional climb gives you a 360° view across the dune field, one of the great perspectives on this track. Camp here overnight. Wake up in it.
Drive - Essential Stop
Kingoonya - The Outback Pub
Established in 1916 to service workers on the Transcontinental Railway, Kingoonya peaked at 16 houses, a school, and a post office. Today: twelve permanent residents and one pub still serving cold beers to anyone who finds it. Non-negotiable stop.
Afternoon / Evening - Night 5
Free Camp at Lake Everard
We set up a free camp at Lake Everard. Wide open country, big skies, and the quiet that only comes this far from the highway.
Drive and Camp - Night 6
Mt Ive Station - Setting Up Camp
We drive to Mt Ive Station and set up camp. Running sheep across 84,712 hectares since 1862, Mt Ive is the only working pastoral station in the Gawler Ranges with visitor facilities. Get the camp sorted and take in the surrounds. Two big days ahead.
Full Day Exploration - Night 7
Mt Ive Station and Lake Gairdner
A full day exploring by 4WD. The station takes in The Flight Path (ridgeline views across ancient volcanic country), the Organ Pipes (columnar rhyolite formations 1,600 million years in the making), and The Embankment, a 19th century stone water wall that doubles as a wildlife watering spot at sunrise. Yellow-footed rock wallabies, Major Mitchell cockatoos, and the only wild population of short-tailed grass wrens in Australia call this place home. From the station, Lake Gairdner, Australia's third-largest salt lake, stretches across the horizon. Camp again tonight.
Evening
Communal Dinner Around the Fire
The last night out. Everyone cooks and eats together around the fire. Bring what you want to share.
Morning - Farewell
Pack Up and Head Home
The final morning at Mt Ive Station. Pack up camp, say your goodbyes, and make your own way home from here. The trip ends here. It doesn't feel like one.
What's Included and What to Bring
Included in Your Trip
- Experienced trip leader, all 8 days
- Full route notes and daily briefings
- Pre-trip gear list and preparation guide
- Guided oyster farm tour (Day 2)
- Tea and coffee with Jenny Denton (Day 2)
- Communal fire dinner, last night out (Day 7)
- Emergency satellite comms (trip leader)
- All campsite and station access fees
You Bring Your Own
- All meals (bring something to share on Day 7)
- All fuel (full tank + jerry cans recommended)
- Sleeping gear: swag or tent + warm sleeping bag
- Alcohol and drinks
- Personal recovery gear
- Water (guide included in pre-trip pack)
- All personal camping equipment
Vehicle and Gear Requirements
- 4WD only. No caravans. Googs Track crosses 370+ sand dunes with sharp crests and soft approaches. You need a capable 4WD with low range and the confidence to use it. No exceptions.
- Swag or tent only. No glamping, no annexes, no powered sites on this trip. You sleep on the ground, under the stars. That's the whole point.
- Recovery gear required. Snatch strap, rated shackles, MaxTrax or equivalent, tyre deflator and inflator at minimum. Full recommended list provided on registration.
- Sand flag. This is a must as we cross 300+ sand dunes and its the only way to be seen by oncoming vehicles.
- Fuel capacity is critical. From Ceduna, the next fuel stop is approximately 350 km of off-road driving away. You must carry enough fuel to cover this. A full tank plus at minimum one 20-litre jerry can is recommended. Check your vehicle's range carefully before departure.
- July nights are cold. Bring a sleeping bag rated to at least -5°C. This is outback winter. Plan for it.
- Guided convoy format. Our trip leader knows Googs Track and stays with the group throughout. This is a tag-along, not a drop-off tour.
- Experience level. This is a moderate track, suitable for capable 4WDers who are comfortable in low range and understand sand driving basics. If you're unsure whether your vehicle or skills are up to it, reach out before booking.
Common Questions
How many vehicles are in the convoy?
Maximum 6 vehicles. It keeps the convoy manageable, the camps quiet, and the experience genuine. Once it's full, we don't add more.
Do I need to be an experienced 4WDer?
Yes. Googs Track is one of Australia's more demanding sand-driving routes. You should be comfortable with low range, tyre pressure management, and vehicle recovery basics. If you're building your skills, reach out. We run 4WD training separately through Adventure Gear Australia.
Can I bring a camper trailer?
No. The track is not suitable for camper trailers or caravans. Swag or tent only. That's what keeps the camping accessible and the experience right.
What's the weather like in July?
Outback winter means warm days (15 to 20°C) and genuinely cold nights (can drop below zero inland). Pack accordingly. A quality sleeping bag and layered clothing are non-negotiable.
How much fuel do I need to carry?
This is one of the most important questions on this trip. From Ceduna, the next fuel stop is approximately 350 km of off-road driving away. You must depart Ceduna with enough fuel to cover that distance comfortably. A full tank plus at least one 20-litre jerry can is the minimum. Check your vehicle's real-world consumption on dirt before you leave home.
What about food?
You self-cater for all meals. On the last night out (Day 7), everyone cooks and eats together around the fire. Bring enough to share. We'll include a suggested food list and resupply guide in your pre-trip pack.
How do I book?
Hit the button below. Spots are confirmed in the order they come in. We'll follow up with full trip details, pricing, and next steps.
Ready to Go?
8 days. 7 nights. One of SA's great drives. Limited to 6 vehicles. Book now before it fills.
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