•The UCS of GSCE samples with Na2SiO3/NaOH ratio of 1.5 and 8% AAS had values in a range from 9.04 MPa to 10.06 MPa for the curing age from 14 to 180 days.•The compressive and splitting tensile strengths of GSCE samples decreased when the w-d cycles increased, except in the case of the samples in the pH = 4 solution: both compressive and splitting tensile strengths of GSCE samples increased until 6 w-d cycles, then these parameters decreased in the further w-d cycles.•SEM, XRD, and FTIR techniques were used to characterise the microstructure, mineralogical and chemical compositions of different samples.•GSCE with 8% AAS could satisfy the high exigences in the case of severe conditions. The paper presents an experimental study on the durability of geopolymer stabilised compacted earth (GSCE) samples exposed to various wetting–drying (w-d) cycles at different pH and salt concentration conditions. Compressive strength, splitting tensile strength, weight loss, and moisture content were determined after 1, 3, 6, 9, and 12 w-d cycles. The microstructure, mineralogical and chemical compositions were characterised by SEM, XRD, and FTIR techniques. The results showed that after 12 w-d cycles, all samples tested had compressive strengths higher than 4.5 MPa. This value was higher than the minimum value required by the standards. The samples exposed to the pH = 4 solution had the highest performance. The results show the potential application of GSCE in severe conditions.