In this paper, the adaptive output feedback asymptotic tracking problem is investigated for nonlinear systems with dead-zone input and unknown nonlinearities, where only system output is available. First, an observer is constructed to estimate unavailable states. Then, by the observer and barrier Lyapunov function, an adaptive output feedback controller is designed, which compensates the influence of dead-zone input and unknown nonlinearities. Furthermore, based on the proposed controller and tuning function, the global boundedness of all signals in closed-loop system is achieved, and the tracking error can asymptotically converge to zero. Particularly, it should be noted that there is no need to calculate the derivatives of virtual control laws in controller design, thus reducing the computational complexity. Finally, two numerical examples are taken to verify the effectiveness of the designed controller.