Adventurous grey nomads will now be able to access Australia’s largest national park and other SA desert attractions which have just re-opened.
Munga-Thirri-Simpson Desert National Park, which spans a massive 3.6 million hectares in South Australia’s Far North, us once again welcoming travellers after its annual closure during summer’s extreme heat.
The park provides unique four-wheel driving experiences across vast stretches of desert, along with unrivalled views of the Milky Way while camping under clear night skies.
Nilpena Ediacara National Park, in the Flinders Ranges, is also open again following its summer closure.
Adventurous travellers will have to wait a while before crossing the Simpson Desert. PIC: Cizza
The State Government says visitors can discover the park’s ancient past through guided tours that provide an insight into the park and its significance as an Ediacaran fossil site.
The Simpson Desert is made up of 1100 parallel sand dunes, some of which are 200 kilometres long. Vehicle tracks such as the Old Andado, Colson or Hay River tracks have been made in the dips of the dunes and run for tens of kilometres.
Those crossing the Simpson Desert will pass through Witjira National Park, a popular destination for the national heritage-listed Dalhousie Springs, where visitors can swim in its pristine warm waters.
Public Access Routes (PARs), which provide vehicle access to locations including other desert parks, will re-open, including Warburton Crossing, Level Post Bay, Halligan Bay Point, Walkers Crossing and Googs Track. Warraweena and Nuccaleena Mine PARs will remain closed due to safety issues.
A Desert Parks Pass is required to enter Munga-Thirri–Simpson Desert and Witjira national parks, which includes vehicle entry and camping, as well as important safety information and maps.
Most desert parks are only suitable for high clearance four-wheel drives.
National Parks and Wildlife Service District Ranger Travis Gotch said the cooler daytime temperatures made autumn and winter the perfect time to visit our spectacular desert parks.
“The best camping spots in Munga-Thirri–Simpson Desert National Park are in the central region where the gidgee woodlands provide shade, shelter and soft ground for pitching a tent,” he said. “The park is full of interesting wildlife, including the thorny devil, fat-tailed dunnart and wedge-tailed eagle.”
Mr Gotch urged Outback travellers to stay safe by ensuring vehicles are well-maintained and equipped, taking extra water and food, using a HF radio or satellite phone, and by telling a responsible person of travel plans.
For current advice on desert park conditions, click here
Are you a Grey Nomad member yet? Click here to find out about the discounts, competitions and other benefits on offer.
A few early adventurous folk have been stranded way out there by the flooding rains. Caught in the middle of woop woop..!!