The Sleaford to Wanna 4×4 Track – The Eyre Peninsula’s Must Visit Destination

Published: April 2025 / Read Time: 4 Minutes

With some of South Australia’s best beaches on offer along with first class camping and four-wheel driving to match, the Eyre Peninsula should be high on every 4×4 enthusiast’s list of must-visit destinations. Now there’s no shortage of tracks on the Eyre Peninsula to point your four-wheel drive down and chances are if you follow a track heading towards the coast, it will be well worth it. One of the many gems to be discovered on the Eyre Peninsula is the Sleaford to Wanna 4×4 Track. Located in the Lincoln National Park on the very tip of the Peninsula, you can expect to find sandy inland tracks, stunning beach coves, cliff top drives and seemingly endless sand dune systems.

Track Details

Location: South Australia (8hrs from Adelaide)
Track Length: Approximately 20km (Recommend one day to properly explore)
Terrain: Sandy tracks, dunes and rocky cliff tops
Permits: Vehicle day entry fee applies (not required as part of overnight camping fee)

Vehicles

79 Series Display Car

Camping in Lincoln national park

Depending on your itinerary, it will likely make sense to spend the night before camped within the national park. This will not only give you a nice and early start for the track the next morning, but you’ll also avoid having to pay vehicle day entry fees as they are included as part of your camping fee.

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Our campsite perched just above the beach

There’s plenty of camping options to choose from with most sites situated along the coast line and offering a sandy beach to park up next to. If you have a few extra days up your sleeve and are able to book in advance then consider spending a couple days at Memory Cove – a secluded and highly sought after camping destination within the park (gate key required from Port Lincoln Visitor Centre). Just be prepared as the drive in and out can take quite a while.

What To Expect

Approximately half of the track is broken up by multiple sand dune systems. These are constantly moving and evolving, making them potentially treacherous, that could quickly turn a fun day on the tracks into one to forget. Take your time, be cautious and sensible to be sure it’s a day to remember for all the right reasons.

Sand dunes on the Sleaford - Wanna 4x4 track

The remaining sections of the track are broken up between sandy inland tracks making their way to different lookouts or beaches as well as slow, rocky cliff top traverses.

Driving the Sleaford Wanna Track

Turning off Wanna Road, point the 4×4 west and you’ll be at the start of the track. Take the opportunity to pull over and air down here – it’s time to head into the dunes!

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Airing down the big 35’s quickly with the ARB Tyre Deflator

The Sleaford Track likes to make a good first impression, and it’s not playing around, right out of the carpark you’ll find yourself climbing to the top of the first dune system. With low tyre pressures and 4wd engaged it’s no real challenge, but could certainly catch out those who are unprepared. At the top of the dunes, you’re offered the first glimpse of the ocean and can just make out the track winding its way along the coast.

Exploring sand dunes on the Sleaford - Wanna 4x4 track

Throughout the track keep an eye out for the red topped permapine posts sticking out of the sand – following these will keep you headed in the right direction and help to navigate the often vast and disorientating dune systems. Don’t be afraid to stray from the path and head down some of the many side tracks. There is plenty of picture-perfect beaches and hidden coves to be discovered. These side tracks also make a great spot for a coffee stop.

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Not a bad spot for some coffee and carrot cake

Exploring The Dunes

Continuing along the track you will be presented with the next big dune system which never fails to impress me every time I’ve visited. These dunes really are awe-inspiring and exploring them will certainly make you feel small. I’ve been fortunate to experience these dunes in both perfect, blue-sky conditions as well as ominous stormy days, which made them appear even more imposing.

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I’d recommend taking the time to go explore the dune systems if you have adequate skills. The photographer in me can spend hours exploring these dunes, looking for different compositions and trying to capture the ever-shifting light. For those who aren’t concerned with photography, don’t let that dissuade you from exploring the dunes. They are great fun for driving and testing your vehicle. Just be sure to keep your wits about you, the dunes can do a fantastic job of lulling you into a false sense of security, catching inexperienced drivers out with soft sand, uneven surfaces and hidden cliff drop offs that sneak up out of nowhere.

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Heading out of the dunes back to the coast

Tracking West

After a few too many photos in the dunes, it’s time to resume heading west. Once you’ve used the permapine posts to navigate your way out of the dunes, continue on through the sandy inland tracks. There are more worthwhile side tracks here, heading down to different vistas and beaches. These spots will also be ideal for a quick lunch break.

Sandy beach tracks on the Sleaford - Wanna 4x4 track

Goanna on the Sleaford - Wanna 4x4 track

Curious goanna seeing what we were up to

From here the track transitions from sand to rock. Look to your left and you’ll notice that you’re now quite high above the waves crashing below as the track follows the cliff line. Take a moment to pull into a few of the side tracks and take a good look into the water below. On sunny days I’ve spotted sharks lurking in these waters and they can be fascinating to watch from afar.

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The Final Stretch

We’re not done yet as the Sleaford – Wanna track has one last hoorah in store for us – more sand dunes. Whilst not as vast as the previous dune system these are still well worth exploring and have some unique formations to discover. I’ve noticed people typically skip these dunes (“seen one, seen them all, right?”) so the chances are you’ll have these all to yourself!

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After exploring these dunes, its time to take one last look and say your goodbyes, you’re heading back inland. Make sure you’ve checked the Parks website as one of the main exits has been blocked by a mobile sand dune recently and may be impassable, so you’ll have to take a different exit back out.

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Crossed paths with some locals on the way out

The Sleaford – Wanna track is an epic rite of passage day trip for those travelling the Eyre Peninsula and simply can’t be missed. If you’re planning a trip to the EP make sure its included in your itinerary!

Words And Images By Jayden Threadgold

Additional images by Edward Eastwood

“From being thrown in the 4WD when I was three for a lap around Aus, all the way through to today, I’ve spent most of my life exploring hard to reach corners of Australia and doing my best to capture them through my lens.”