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Marree is a tiny little town in the South Australian outback. Founded in the mid-1800s when springs were discovered in the area, it boomed with the introduction of the railway in 1883. Cattle were droved to the town to be loaded on the train and transported to the coast in Adelaide. The famous passenger train The Ghan also stopped in the town on its journey to Alice Springs. After considerable decline, a new direct railway was eventually built far to the west and Marree largely fell off the map.
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A good introduction to the local Indigenous culture.
A 2003 recreation of an original mud-brick mosque built around 1882 by Afghan camel herders. It is utilised by a tiny Afghan community that still lives in the area to this day and the first ever mosque in Australia.
While not actually in the town, this geoglyph put the town on the map for some time. Discovered by Europeans in 1998, this 4.2km tall man was etched into the desert sand presumably only a few years prior. It's creator remains a mystery, but clues later pointed to it being funded by Americans. Some view it as a landmark to the Aboriginal culture and the outback, while others call it 'environmental vandalism'. Either way, it is a sight worth seeing if you can afford the charter plane that will take you to see it.
Cafe and groceries
Heritage building built in 1883 with 28 ensuite cabins and 12 original hotel rooms. Darts competition every Friday at 8PM. Swimming pool and beer garden. Meals noon - 2PM and 6PM - 8PM.
Caravan pitches and 39 ensuite cabins. Camp kitchen evening meals.
The town sits at the T-intersection of two roads (or rather, tracks). The Birdsville Track ends in the town, entering from the north-east and travelling all the way to Birdsville in Queensland.
Read in the guideArticles and travel topics about Marree and Australia.
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