Unofficial guide · verify with Parks SA

Lincoln National ParkUnofficial operator’s manual

Wanna Dunes to Sleaford Mere

Guide updated · verify live track status with Parks SA

Parks SA: low mallee to a panorama over the park. Brian Clarke Hut (bushwalker shelter) at checkpoint 23. Massive wind-sculpted dunes, exposed Southern Ocean beaches and limestone cliffs. 14.3 km, about 5 hours. Starts from the car park just south of checkpoint 22.

Do not pair: Do not pair with Memory Cove key pickup the same afternoon.

Turnaround: If the support vehicle is bogged or the dune track is closed, the walk is off. Lookouts only.

  • Driving to the blocked Sleaford entrance because an old map showed it.
  • Starting at 1 pm in January.
  • Hard hike · 5 hr
  • ~5 hr
  • 14.3 km
  • Effort: hard
  • Best for: Fit walkers who want dunes, limestone cliffs and Sleaford Mere — with a 4WD access plan

Distance, grade, time and open/closed status change — verify on Parks SA before you go.

Official Parks SA info (verify status)
Sand, limestone cliffs and Southern Ocean at Wanna, Lincoln National Park South Australia

Wanna Dunes — Wanna coast

Ghoongta · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Where you start

Car park just south of checkpoint 22

Southern dune coast. Confirm 4WD access and the live Sleaford–Wanna track alert before you leave Port Lincoln. Western (Sleaford) entrance/exit blocked by a mobile dune as of 13 Sep 2026 — use the main park entrance.

How to get there

  1. High-clearance 4WD. Red markers on the Sleaford–Wanna track. Deflate for sand. Carry a shovel.
  2. Enter and exit via the main Proper Bay Road entrance while the western Sleaford gate is impassable — VERIFY live.
  3. Check tides if any beach driving is involved.

How to do it (step by step)

  1. Start south of checkpoint 22. Budget five hours plus heat buffer.
  2. Brian Clarke Hut at checkpoint 23 is a camp shelter for bushwalkers — not a booked cabin and not a water tap plan.
  3. Sleaford Mere is unique, not a swimming hole. Reverse or continue only on signed trail.

Packing list (shell, grip, water) lives on the gear hub— not a shopping list on every walk. Pairing and Plan B: plan your visit · Sleaford entrance Plan B.

Map (orientation)

Pin may be approximate. Confirm trailheads, parking and track status on Parks SA before you drive.

Interactive map — pin may be approximate. Confirm trailheads and road status before you drive.

Open in Google MapsGet directions

Extra tips

  • Whale season (May–October): Wanna and Lone Pine lookouts are the accessible spotting points — that can be a drive/lookout day instead of this 14 km hike.
  • Offline maps. Emergency+. Tell someone your turnaround time.

Itineraries that use this walk

Sand, limestone cliffs and Southern Ocean at Wanna, Lincoln National Park South Australia

Overnight in-park + 4WD dune day

Overnight camp and dune coast

Book a campground on parks.sa.gov.au (September, Surfleet, Taylor’s Landing, or a listed 4WD site). Next day: Sleaford–Wanna red-marker track and/or lookouts. Western Sleaford entrance blocked (snapshot 13 Sep 2026) — main entrance only.

Sand, limestone cliffs and Southern Ocean at Wanna, Lincoln National Park South Australia

Half to full day in whale season

Whale-season lookouts (May–October)

Parks SA: each year between May and October you may spot southern right whales off the Sleaford Bay coastline in Thorny Passage Marine Park. Most accessible spotting is from Wanna and Lone Pine lookouts. Bring optics, patience and a 4WD plan if the lookout roads need it.

Area guide: Sleaford–Wanna dunes · Maps pin

Nearby stays (optional)

After the walk plan is solid: Port Lincoln beds if you still need them. Kit searches live on the gear hub. Official Parks SA camping, park fees and government bookings are never affiliated. Guided tours live on the Tours hub.

Nearby stays

Port Lincoln · Coffin Bay · Tumby Bay

All Booking.com links open in a new tab and may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Official Parks SA camping and Memory Cove bookings are never affiliated.

Some stay, tour and gear links may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Park fees and Parks SA bookings are never affiliated. Affiliate disclosure · Privacy

Some stay, tour and gear links may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Park fees and Parks SA bookings are never affiliated. Disclosure · Tours hub